Annual Sign Off of used Experimental Gyros

BayAreaGyro

Newbie
Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
2
Location
Los Gatos, CA
Aircraft
Magni M16
Total Flight Time
200
I was previously a partial owner of a Magni M16 gyro. We were fortunate that the builder that possessed the repair certificate (not sure if that is the legal term) agreed to fly out to California each year to do the annual maintenance and sign off on the annual. I am looking at purchasing a used Magni and I would like to be comfortable that I am going to be able to find an A&P in California that will be willing (and knowledgeable) to do the annual on a gyrocopter. I was hoping others could share their experience and if anyone is aware of an A&P, preferably in N. California, that you could direct me to I would be very grateful.

Best regards

Jim
 
I fly and instruct in an experimental gyroplane (The Predator} out of Santa Maria, CA.

I have not had a challenge finding people to do an annual condition inspection near me.

Because I am a flight instructor I also have to have 100 hour inspections in addition to annual condition inspections..

Any Airframe and Power plant mechanic (A&P) can sign off your condition inspection.

Check with your local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter for contacts.

In my experience it has been more of a challenge to find a good mechanic who understands rotorcraft that will do a proper condition inspection.

I have found things missed in client's condition inspections that could have killed us.

It is my experience that doing a proper job takes at least eight hours for most gyroplanes.

It took eleven hours to do a Cavalon.

In my experience the sign off looks like this.

“I certify that this aircraft has been inspected on________ in accordance with the scope and detail of appendix D part 43 and was found to be in a condition for safe operation.”

The entry will include the aircraft Total time in service and name and signature, and certificate type and number of the person performing the inspection.

Appendix D part 43 can be found here.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-43

I feel it is useful guide despite specifically not applying to aircraft with experimental aircraft registrations.

Be sure your transponder has been certified in the preceding 24 months.
 

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Thanks for the quick and thorough response Vance. I live in the Bay Area, so worse case I guess I can fly it down to the Santa Maria area and find an A&P near you!

Thanks again.
 
The FBO at San Martin (Magnum as I recall) was willing to do annuals on the A&S18A gyros that I kept there (hangar H1) for many years. Granted, those are standard airworthiness, but they might be willing to work on an EAB if you ask nicely.
 
Keep in mind that Vance's gyro does not have a Rotax engine. Many aircraft and rotor A&P's will not work on Rotax engines. I ended up taking my gyro with Rotax 912 engine to a Rotax service center to do annual inspection/maintenance on the engine, and then I found an A&P willing to sign the aircraft for condition inspection where I helped with checkoff list. Even the Rotax shop at first refused to work on it due to insurance issues, but they agreed to check with their insurance company and it was covered. It took a long time to get the Rotax shop to verify with their insurance company, and maybe they just didn't want the liability. Just FYI.
 
Thanks for the quick and thorough response Vance. I live in the Bay Area, so worse case I guess I can fly it down to the Santa Maria area and find an A&P near you!

Thanks again.
You should be able to find someone out of Watsonville or Hollister as they both have active experimental pilots. Long ago I found someone at Salinas; I do not remember their contact information.

The Wings of History Museum at San Martin (E16) will probably have some contacts and I have heard good things about the FBO there.

If you come to Santa Maria you will need to schedule well in advance and it is best to allow two days. There is a Radisson at the airport.
 
Keep in mind that Vance's gyro does not have a Rotax engine. Many aircraft and rotor A&P's will not work on Rotax engines. I ended up taking my gyro with Rotax 912 engine to a Rotax service center to do annual inspection/maintenance on the engine, and then I found an A&P willing to sign the aircraft for condition inspection where I helped with checkoff list. Even the Rotax shop at first refused to work on it due to insurance issues, but they agreed to check with their insurance company and it was covered under rotary aircraft. Just FYI.
Dave is correct, Rotax does make it more challenging.
I also had 100 hour inspections and annual condition inspections done at Santa Maria at Coastal Valley Aviation where they have someone with Rotax training.
Rotax engines require some special attention and it is best to find a specialist.
 
I was previously a partial owner of a Magni M16 gyro. We were fortunate that the builder that possessed the repair certificate (not sure if that is the legal term) agreed to fly out to California each year to do the annual maintenance and sign off on the annual. I am looking at purchasing a used Magni and I would like to be comfortable that I am going to be able to find an A&P in California that will be willing (and knowledgeable) to do the annual on a gyrocopter. I was hoping others could share their experience and if anyone is aware of an A&P, preferably in N. California, that you could direct me to I would be very grateful.

Best regards

Jim
There is a group of pilots who fly Magni up in Cameron Park CA who could probably point you in the right direction (https://www.foothillsportaviation.com/). There is also an Autogyro group in Petaluma (https://www.cierva.aero/) who might have info.
 
Dear Autogyro Owners and LSA aircraft using Rotax engines,
I have read the responses above and can help,
I live and work in central North Carolina and our shop is a certified Rotax service center. We can service Rotax engines and perform annual inspections, as well as annuals on standard certified engines and we are trained factory Autogyro technical service personnel.
I personally own and fly a certified Calidus 914 turbo Rotax powered gyroplane, which I find a great machine. My partner is airline trained A&P with IA certification, and we want to promote GA and LSA aircraft both with Rotax and Lycoming and Continental engines. We also can travel to customer locations as required. Experimental aircraft are no problem.
you can find us on the Rotax web site or call us 631 856 0029. P52patton@ Gmail.com
Rotax engines require factory training to assure good outcomes and support!
I have also owned and flown two RAF 2000 Subaru powered gyros, so I can fully understand the reluctance to service these machines as they are are poorly understood by many techs in the aviation industries.
So don‘t despair help is available to perform needed service to stay safe and legal as this sport aviation continues to grow.
Best Regards,
Phillip
 
There are 3 Magni M-16s at Lincoln (KLHM) and 1 at Cameron Park (O61) that the owner occasionally makes noises about selling. We meet up at Auburn (KAUN) most weekends for breakfast if anybody wants to come and find us :)

Don at Foothills isn't working with gyroplanes any more, he's too damn busy with fixed wings :confused:

There's a load of stuff going on at Petaluma (O69) right now, they're Autogyro dealers.
 
There are 3 Magni M-16s at Lincoln (KLHM) and 1 at Cameron Park (O61) that the owner occasionally makes noises about selling. We meet up at Auburn (KAUN) most weekends for breakfast if anybody wants to come and find us :)

Don at Foothills isn't working with gyroplanes any more, he's too damn busy with fixed wings :confused:

There's a load of stuff going on at Petaluma (O69) right now, they're Autogyro dealers.
I'll have to link up with you folks once it warms up a bit and my schedule eases. I'm based out of the Reno area - and I fly an MTO sport.
 
I was previously a partial owner of a Magni M16 gyro. We were fortunate that the builder that possessed the repair certificate (not sure if that is the legal term) agreed to fly out to California each year to do the annual maintenance and sign off on the annual. I am looking at purchasing a used Magni and I would like to be comfortable that I am going to be able to find an A&P in California that will be willing (and knowledgeable) to do the annual on a gyrocopter. I was hoping others could share their experience and if anyone is aware of an A&P, preferably in N. California, that you could direct me to I would be very grateful.

Best regards

Jim
The original owner can't do the inspection. His privilege expired why it sold.
 
I'll have to link up with you folks once it warms up a bit and my schedule eases. I'm based out of the Reno area - and I fly an MTO sport.
I believe Henry Gyrolife (also an MTO pilot) will be visiting us again in April :)
 
Henry changed his last name from Trike life as his interests turned a corner.
 
We just recently dealt with an A&P and a Rotax certified tech named James Crook (that's his last name but he is not a crook) who is from Los Angeles, Ca for a customer's warranty issue on a 915iS wiring harness. He seemed pretty good and works on gyroplanes and Rotax engines
 
Ngn Kwit, a nice fella from Viet Nam, makes Yugo conversions.
 
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