Duane Nelson Hunn Sr.

[GyrOZprey]

I know Duane had no love for this forum - but I'm sure there are those here who trained with him and those who benefitted from his RAF innovations - who may not be aware .... today I learned that he is in his final days at the VA Saginaw MI ...in palliative Hospice care. unconscious and expected to pass at anytime!
Prayers for his peaceful passing - knowing the gyro community is thinking of him and with thankful hearts for his contributions to the gyro world.
Prayers for his friends who will deeply miss him.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds Duane!

 

[Vance]

I learned a lot from Dwayne Hunn and am grateful for my time with him.

I will miss visiting with him a lot.

 

[MikeBoyette]

Known him most of my life. One heck of a pilot. He first showed up with Bill Parsons. He used to fly a SuperMac like he stole it.

He taught a whole lot of the RAF folks how to tame the lion. He saved their lives.

Hopefully he’s no longer suffering and will be in a place where he can fly without blades soon. Godspeed sir. I’m privileged to have known him.

 

[Mayfield]

Duane and I disagreed very much on stability and control. Specifically, he did not agree that the RAF 2000 was statically and dynamically unstable.

But he was always a gentleman in our discussions and never attacked me personally.

I pray he finds rest and his friends find solace.

Jim

 

[j4flyer]

Dwayne was a real Character. He was very knowledgeable on RAF Gyros. He taught many people to fly the RAF who taught many people fly Gyros. He was always willing to sit and discuss Gyros with anyone. God Speed.

 

[GyroChuck]

Dwayne was always ready to help. I had a student with used RAF he bought. He had a problem with it. So I called Dwayne. He asked where I was at. I told him and he said wait there. And drove from Mentone to where I was I Illinois to help out. Of course he fixed the problem.

 

[Eric S]

Duane and I disagreed very much on stability and control. Specifically, he did not agree that the RAF 2000 was statically and dynamically unstable.

But he was always a gentleman in our discussions and never attacked me personally.

I pray he finds rest and his friends find solace.

Jim

Well said. That was my experience as well. He was also convinced a gyro flew by weight-shift.

Duane gave me 15 hrs. of transition training into my RAF Sparrowhawk. He looked and felt 75 walking up to get in and then had the reflexes of a 20 year old once in the air. He could make that machine dance.

He also gave me many hours of ground school in RAF/Subaru specific maintenance training when not flying and wouldn't accept a dime more than the cost of his lessons. Afterwards, we talked on the phone several times like good friends. I will miss him.

Eric

 

[BUD ONEAL]

Enjoyed many hours talking to Duane over the years . God speed my friend

 

[gyroplanes]

I too enjoyed the company of Duane over the many years I've known him. I wish Duane could have read all of this, as last I talked to him, he felt like, after all of these years, he didn't have much to show for his life in gyros. Duane told me he planned to open a flight school at Mentone, and teach his students in the classroom, and as they stood by the runway.

 

[GyrOZprey]

Just got confirmation that Duane Hunn Snr has passed on - gained his angel-wings!
Apologies for the initial incorrect spelling - now corrected!

 

[Mayfield]

Thanks Chris,

I believe Duane would have been 82 in May. Doesn't he have a son in his 50s?

Jim

 

[Just a friend of a flyer]

I am a friend of Duane Hunn Sr. I know that a whole lot of gyro pilots know and like Duane. I just thought I would pass on the news that Duane passed away this morning. We will truly miss him!!

 

[lanichol]

Duane Nelson Hunn Sr 82 passed at Saginaw Michigan VA Hospice. I met Duane in person about 2 year ago. I like many people talked to him on nearly a weekly bases. His passion for gyros was endless. And the stories of adventures and people interactions would fill a book. There is a whole list of pilots that learned with Duane. Known to be kind by so many, yet so stubborn. To Duane N. Hunn Jr., and family, he look forward to text, graduations, ect and now everything is at peace. Casefuneralhome Saginaw if you would like to post something.

 

[Murray]

Duane taught me to fly my RAF gyro back in the early 2000.I came down from Canada and stayed for couple of weeks at a time. One of the draws to Mentone was meeting up with Duane each year. He was a great instructor and a good friend.
I am very sorry to hear of his passing I will miss him. Condolences to the family. Murray

 

[Duane Hunn Jr]

RAF 2000 and many parts owned by Duane Hunn up for sale.

 

[Yellowhirly]

RAF 2000 and many parts owned by Duane Hunn up for sale.

Where can I see it ? How much ? I thought he had donated it to Pra ? He told me a few times .

 

[Duane Hunn Jr]

Hello, Housed Michigan. Will post photos as soon as possible. Will need to be dusted off and % built by you. Will not come fully assembled and ready to fly.

 

[lanichol]

Youtube Gest Family. In memory of Duane.
(Posting for a friend)

 

[Eric S]

Hello, Housed Michigan. Will post photos as soon as possible. Will need to be dusted off and % built by you. Will not come fully assembled and ready to fly.

Is there any of Duane's RAF gyroplane parts and equipment still at the Ballinger, TX airport? There was a LOT of stuff there when I took my training with him there in 2017. The RAF loving gyro guys in Graham, TX might be interested in some of it. I was there a week ago and there were 7 RAF gyros in their hangar.

Eric

 

[rgraffeo]

Mentone 2018, the last time I talked to Mr. Duane.
He pulled his RAF out of the museum & took it for a short flight around the airport.
It was always a pleasure to talk to him.