PanamaPaul
Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2013
- Messages
- 27
- Aircraft
- 2 trikes,
- Total Flight Time
- 200 +
Congratulations Chris, way to go, I could not make Mentone this yr, but was watching all the goings on from afar.
Congrats Chris!
And thank goodness the organization has matured past the days of CFI's threatening to pack up and leave the event and threatening the board because a non CFI was giving rides to people.
Chris,
Congratulations on your tremendous award Saturday night!
It was really amazing how the whole group at the dinner was so gratified to see you be the winner.
Didn't get a chance to speak with you personally, but did not want to interfere with anyone missing a chance to fly with you, or to get a closeup look at your beautiful machine. Did talk with Jim briefly in the hangar Friday afternoon, and told him how good your gyro looked.
You've had a terrible experience trying to get your first machine flying reliably, and staying current with your piloting experience as a result; seeing the smiles on your face, your good piloting skills, and confidence in flying with others in the back seat, was a joy to behold.
I also agree that this convention was the most relaxed atmosphere we've seen in a number of years. The current batch of instructors all seem to respect each other, and actually enjoy being together.
It's also great to see yet another choice of machines for gyro pilots. And you definitely are the best ambassador for the Titanium they could have chosen.
Given the intense one-on-one instruction I received- and required- from Greg Gremminger when I got my Sport Pilot Endorsement, I would say getting proper, useful instruction at a fly-in would be not nearly as efficient as doing it at a different time
I agree with this statement. Pattern work at Mentone later in the week would have not been conducive to instruction - IMHO. I was fortunate to get there early in the week and get an hour that I felt was worth every penny. I have flown with a lot of instructors over the years in fixed wing (private pilot and then EMT training) and Steve's approach was near the top in regards to technique and therefore value. It was already getting thick by Tuesday afternoon and I doubt it would have been money well spent by Wednesday. I could not get a ride in a Eurotub regardless of how hard I tried (with a checkbook in my pocket). I gave up after the third attempt and reasoned that I was not given an introductory ride because I was not a prospective buyer. I can tell you that unless I win the lottery I will never be able to afford a 60K - 90K gyro and I understand that these companies do not want to waste intro rides on guys like me.
.