MonkeyClaw
Member
I'm heading to the Silverlight Aviation factory in a few weeks to do my build. It's still a ways off, but I've been fantasizing about how I'm going to get the machine home. The build is taking place in Zephyrhills, FL and I live in Sedona, AZ. I'm planning on finishing the build and heading home to wait for the check by the FAA. Silverlight does the first 12 hrs of the 40 hr flyoff, and then I would go out to finish off the flyoff while getting transition and additional training (I have my SP-Gyro license, so no issues with me doing the flyoff).
Of course, I would love to ferry it home. Throw some camping supplies in it and camp at a few different airports on the way. It's about 1700 nm, so it would be a good 20+ hours of flying taking into account winds and gas stops. I'd also need to think about weather, which can still be pretty convective during that time of the year. I have a lot of cross country FW experience, but this would be my first extended time in a gyro.
Other options are shipping and towing back in a trailer. Neither of those sounds like fun.
Is this the kind of adventure others would take? Cross country in a brand new build? I think it would be a lot of fun, and I'd much rather get those early hours in the more friendly environment out East and Midwest.
Of course, I would love to ferry it home. Throw some camping supplies in it and camp at a few different airports on the way. It's about 1700 nm, so it would be a good 20+ hours of flying taking into account winds and gas stops. I'd also need to think about weather, which can still be pretty convective during that time of the year. I have a lot of cross country FW experience, but this would be my first extended time in a gyro.
Other options are shipping and towing back in a trailer. Neither of those sounds like fun.
Is this the kind of adventure others would take? Cross country in a brand new build? I think it would be a lot of fun, and I'd much rather get those early hours in the more friendly environment out East and Midwest.