2008 The Year in Rotorcraft hours... Annual Poll

[barnstorm2]

Ok lets see how the year went!

This is the annual Rotary Forum Anonymous Rotorcraft Hours Poll.

No fair counting New-Years day if any are going to New-Years fly in's, those are next years hours!


Please post your hours!!

Also, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

I am looking forward to a great new year of flying rotors, posting here, new fly-ins and learning more skills!!!

 

[Harry_S.]

And a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you Tim, and everyone on the Forum. :first:


Cheers

 

[Mike484]

Good idea Tim, this will be interesting.

 

[Vance]

Since January 1,2008, I received 14.8 hours of dual instruction in gyroplanes and have flown for 271 hours as pilot in command. I hope to fly this afternoon if I can get free of work.

I love flying and it seems to get better with each flight.

I feared that the magic would dissipate over time.

I feared as I mastered the basic maneuvers it would become less challenging.

I feared as I became familiar with the area from above and the flying destinations the excitement of discovery would wane.

I feared I would run out of things to do with my gyroplane.

I feared I would break my very expensive toy.

I feared that no one would understand the joy I found.

None of these fears have proved justified.

Thank you Mark Givan, for designing and building a great gyroplane and thank you all for joining me on some of my adventures.

Thank you for the great advice I receive here on the forum and thank you Todd for the forum.

Thank you Edna, for showing me new ways to enjoy flying.

Happy New Year!

Thank you, Vance

 

[animal]

Happy new years all, have a safe and happy one. looking forward to the next year of Rotarywing flight. with any luck my Falcon will join the fleet of flying gyros. and yes I did work on it today.

 

[Mike Schallmann]

150+ hours

 

[jcarleto]

I am only posting my "log compliant" hours. The 5 hours in my log book are the initial training I took with Rick Abercrombie in the SparrowHawk. My best guess (based on my engine log for the GyRonimo) is that I have about 71 hours Ultra-light (and therefore not log compliant) Gyro time. Much of it was then initial high-speed taxi and landing practice, but there were 22 little trips to and from nearby airports (average 20 miles one way) all tolled this year. A shame that doesn't count for something beyond good practice.

*JC*

 

[fiveboy]

Mile High Club?

Mile High Club?

Thank you Edna, for showing me new ways to enjoy flying.

Happy New Year!

Thank you, Vance

OK I am a sick sick puppy. Anyone who knows me for more than ten minute gets to that. Vance you are the Ernest Hemmingway of the group.

Happiest of New Year to all.

(Vance we all still want to know though. Perhaps in one of your stories? That would make it special. We could start a thread called Vance's Log)

 

[fiveboy]

A shame that doesn't count for something beyond good practice.

*JC*

I think it counts when it comes time to know what the hell to do!

 

[barnstorm2]

I am only posting my "log compliant" hours.

*JC*

Even though it does no good in terms of FAA stuff I did log some of my UL gyro time. I wish I would have logged all of it.

 

[StanFoster]

I started my helicopter training this year in an R22. Logged the mandatory 20 hours dual...which included 3 hours nighttime...then flew off my mandatory 10 hours solo which included my 3 hours cross country and 3 take offs and landings at a controlled airport.

I have received my mandatory 3 hours of checkride prep training...and am waiting to be scheduled for my checkride anytime. I have a total of 34 hours helicopter time this year.

Stan

 

[birdy]

Bout 480 odd i think.

Still enjoy every second of it.

 

[Russ Hobbs]

Managed to get in about 4.5 hours of training before the weather set in, looking forward to Spring in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[jcarleto]

Bout 480 odd i think.

Slacker!

 

[MichaelBurton]

2008 Gyro flight hours

2008 Gyro flight hours

Some where in the 300 to 400 range.

 

[barnstorm2]

Bout 480 odd i think.

Still enjoy every second of it.

That is fantastic!

I can't imagine gyro flying ever getting old. It's great to know my imagination is right!!


I envy all you guys that can get a couple of hundred hours a year in. I don't see that ever happing for me while I have my day job...


.

 

[SideKick]

I finally was able to get 11.2 hours of training with Gary Neal and maybe 15 hours ultralight practice on the ground.

 

[animal]

I finally was able to get 11.2 hours of training with Gary Neal and maybe 15 hours ultralight practice on the ground.

How did you like flying with Gary? what do you think about his machine?

 

[mark treidel]

Vance, after reading your post & doing some quick math...looks like you spent approx. $7000.00 last year in fuel costs. Whew!!!

 

[Vance]

Vance, after reading your post & doing some quick math...looks like you spent approx. $7000.00 last year in fuel costs. Whew!!!

Hello Mark,

I seem to be spending around $31.46 per hour to fly the Predator, not including a reserve for major repairs and replacement but it does include oil, my annual condition inspection, hanger rent and liability insurance. I feel that an appropriate reserve would add another $11.30 per hour. This seems very reasonable to me.

I suspect it would be more than three times that to fly a helicopter the same number of hours per year and I feel I would not enjoy it as much. I love the open air flying and the notoriety of flying the only one enhances the merriment.

I love almost every moment I spend in the air and it is great fun sharing the adventure with Edna and my friends here on the forum.

I feel fortunate to be able to chase my dreams.

When I build my own gyroplane I expect it will be closer to $53.50 per hour operating costs and reserve. I expect to look back fondly on the low operating costs of the Predator.

Thank you, Vance