Gyro Technic to Oshkosh 2023.

[Resasi]

Gyro Technic GT-VX2 flies to Oshkosh.

Yesterday Loren, our latest Gyro Instructor in his new build immaculate yellow GT-VX2 with the Rotax 912IS, set off from Mankato to Oshkosh for around the five hour flight. He had planned a two required and an additional precautionary stop after leaving Mankato. Denis and I doing the ground support to meet check and refuel him at those.

For the approximate 5 hour flight he established a reasonable fuel consumption figure for cross country, of around 2.3-3 gall/hr averaging between 50 and 60kts. Weather leaving Mankato was a beautiful severe clear morning, weather en-route saw a gradual building of fair weather cumulus progressing to some impressive build ups, finally arriving at Oshkosh at the tail end of one of Oshkosh's 'friendly' weather events, that Eric and Callie Bruce who had arrived earlier confirmed had been fairly intense with rain and gusts up to 40Kts.

Met up at the entrance with Gyro Paul who had trailered his newly minted purple GT-VX1 with him to fly and exhibit on the Gyro Technic stand where Denis will be exhibiting two GT-VX1's and two GT-VX2's, all fully airworthy and flying. The tent has been pitched and stand being prepared for opening on Monday. As one of the worlds premier aviation events I had been blown away with the real thing last year, as opposed to the many videos I had watched over the years which simply cannot do it full justice. Can't wait to experience another.

 

[Resasi]

Having arrived Sat, Sun allowing for a gently paced setting up of the Gyro Technic stall.

Sun is out blue skies overhead, planes arriving one, two's, a formation of jets trailing smoke and giving us fighter breaks to the downwind. A pair of Mig 15's in tight formation thunder over low with afterburners on, while an Aircam floated gently down in to the microlight strip behind us. Summertime the going is easy., and can't think of a better place to be.

Never realised Denis had such a dark side .With him its black or white... its got to be right or it won't do!


Gizmo launched and airborne.



Getting some interest.

 

[nishanh]

I am told Gyromotion will have a bespoke 916-powered Calidus there. Sounds like a torque nightmare to me, but who knows maybe they detuned it. If anyone can get some pics that would be great!

 

[Resasi]

Things have been picking up here at Oshkosh. The Gyro Technic with its Black, Purple, Yellow, and Blue gyros, flanked by Gizo and Monkey in the Tiny Tug has been attracting steady interest: some for the gyros... and some for Gizo, or Monkey in the Tiny Tug... most of those being a bit young for their licences being counted as prospective future clients.

Some good first's for Denis. Having Lauren fly his VX-2 to Oshkosh, having 2 VX-1's and 2 VX-2's all with completed phase 1's on display, and all have been flying of the small grass runway in the fun flying zone during the rotorcraft period with plenty of interested spectators. Denis Paul Lauren and myself all cruising round.

Weather has been great, warming up steadily, with some hot weather to come later in the week. Quite a good section of gyros here from various companies Gyro Technic, ELA, Magni, Air Command, Autogyro for a few.

 

[MikeBoyette]

Pictures Leigh more pictures of all the gyros please. Herbie Lewis is there with the ELA gang.

 

[Sv.grainne]

Yes, pictures/video!

 

[vkmaynard]

Air Command? What are displaying?

 

[Resasi]

Denis has had all four of his exhibits flying during the rotorcraft slot from 11:30-14:00, and it has been busy at the stand, so not had a lot time for wandering round taking pictures. A multitude of tire kickers and some interested punters, all with a host of questions...and some, their life stories.



Two machines on the GyroTechnic stand were put up for judging as Both the `black and blue have already won past awards and it was time for the 'new blood' to give it a try. Paul Minear's purple VX1 and Lauren Jones's yellow VX2 were put forward earlier in the show. As the judges did their rounds we were both pleasantly surprised, and possible a little intimidated, at both the time they spent going over both machines with a fine tooth comb examining them, and then questioning Denis's two representatives at length on their builds.

Weather has been good but, with a couple of good rainstorms passing through which has necessitated covering and stowing machines. Steadily rising temps as we worked through the week. Generally light winds and variable at the light plane field with a pretty good turn out of helicopters and gyros demoing during the rotorcraft slot. Long and short circuits were in use depending on numbers at the time, and both N and S take off directions were used.

On Friday night they presented the awards for rotorcraft. ELA took Gold with Gyro Technic machines taking second and third place for gyros, with Paul's purple VX1 just behind Lauren's yellow VX2, giving Denis two Oshkosh Air Venture trophies for his outstanding machines. A home made helicopter took first place in the helicopter section.




We got back after the presentation to darkening skies and rising wind, another weather system heading our way with the scramble to get everything tucked away and under cover. Sat and Sun still to go with big crowds expected.

 

[Sv.grainne]

Cool, thanks for posting Leigh! Nice to see Denis on the award list!

 

[Loren Jones]

Congratulation, Paul! So happy to see Gyro Technic grabbing two of the top three spots!

 

[Resasi]

Last night the next big weather system heading our way prompted yet another flurry of activity as we battened down the hatches and put everything away. Heavy rain strong winds but luckily no hail. We had taken rotors off and put the gyros into the display tent just in case.

Eric and Callie at ELA had covered up canopies with with blanket and covers and seem to have weathered pretty well, Air Command and Magni did get a bit of a beating. We did well with no damage.

Took the advantage of a beautiful morning to pose Loren and Pauls gyros with their well deserved Oshkosh Lindy awards.

Congratulations to them both and to Denis for his amazing kits

 

[rancherman]

cooler and more settled conditions for the remainder of the event hopefully!

 

[Resasi]

More rain showers have been passing through.