I recently had the pleasure of meeting a new gyro enthusiast, who contracted with me to assist in a pre-buy inspection of an RAF Sparrowhawk conversion. Neither he (nor the owner, nor the previous owners, apparently) were aware of the failure-prone <2005 hub bar/winglets, nor of the Grade 0 control rod ends.
The prop pulley had a significant wobble, from either bearing failure or a galled pulley (which might be sleeved as a repair).
That such gyro had been flown for some 650 hours without incident is ex post facto relieving, but I cordially refused to flight-test the machine. (It was also legally nonairworthy being out of annual despite that the seller imagined his E-LSA Repairman cert valid to sign off on E-AB aircraft annuals.)
The purchaser seemed to take to heart my recommendations, and bought the gyro for a reduced price because of the work it needs.
I'm sure he will be posting on RWF as he goes through his RAF this winter, and will find, as I did, much invaluable info from our community.
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Earlier this year I dropped in to visit Jim Vanek at Sport Copters and enjoyed his brief and very instructive "recovery from unusual attitudes" flight tutorial. For just a few hundred dollars, you can learn from one of the best in the business, and fly (when available) a fantastic Sport Copter II. If you're ever near the Pacific NW, stop in Scappoose, Oregon to meet the folks at Sport Copter.
Regards, Kolibri