Message from Jim Mayfield

Mayfield

Gold Supporter
Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
2,434
Location
Avondale, Arizona
Aircraft
Aero SP AT-4 (Gobosh 700X), TAG Titanium Explorer
Dear Friends,

I have resigned from Groen Brothers Aviation. David Groen and I were unable to agree on what roles I should fill in the company and the strategic and tactical direction of GBA.

I, obviously, am no longer responsible for any facet of the SparrowHawk program. Specifically, I am not responsible for any SparrowHawk performance claims, testing claims, engineering claims, delivery of product, suitability of product, safety of product, and most importantly, any changes to the product that occurred after 1 November 2004 or that may occur in the future.

I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Chuck Beaty, Ernie Boyette, Carl Schnieder, and Maxie Wildes for the pioneering work in gyroplane stability that made the SparrowHawk possible.

I wish to also acknowledge the contributions of Dan and Peter Haseloh, and Don and Linda LaFleur. Although I continue to believe that the RAF 2000 is wanting in stability, we must remember that these folks pioneered the two seat, fully enclosed, mass produced, gyroplane market.

I am very proud of the team I led in the development of the SparrowHawk. They are a wonderful group of dedicated and hard working people.

I am proud of the SparrowHawk. I believe the design has great potential to provide a safe flying experience for many.

I have not yet decided my next course of action. I will continue to offer Practical Test services for Recreational, Private, Commercial, and CFI applicants. My personal SparrowHawk is based at Goodyear Arizona and will be used for most of the check rides I administer. I suspect that I will also become a Sport Pilot Examiner and service that market.

I have not yet decided how heavily I want to be involved in gyroplane design and production. If I decide to become a small-scale manufacturer, I will recruit the appropriate engineering and design personnel for the effort.

Right now my wife is enjoying my company as I transition to this stage of my life. I have made many friends in the gyroplane community and will maintain those relationships.

Thank you for the support you have given me over the years and your support of the SparrowHawk program as it was being developed.

This is by no means a “good-bye” message. I plan to stay very much involved in this forum and in the gyroplane community.

My best regards,

Jim Mayfield
 
Jim Who ?

Jim Who ?

This is sad and tragic news sir. We have not met but you have shown your dedication to the gyro community with the number, quality and detail in your posts in response to questions and needs of other gyro folks. If I had stock in the company I would sell it now because who are they going to get as a spokesman.??? Joe Izuzu ?

It is one thing to fire the dell dude but your name was synomous with the sparrowhawk gyro.

You also did not throw any b.s.

You are an even bigger person for recognizing the greats in our sport and those who have helped you get where you are today. That is a rare find in todays world indeed.

Keep us posted Mr Mayfield, enjoy everything to the fullest.



Jonathan Weis
Oriental NC
 
Phases...

Phases...

Good luck in the next phase of your life Jim. Thank you for your self-less sacrifices of work to promote gyroplanes in general. darrellwittke
 
Seems to me it's their loss, Jim. Hope to see you at the flyins, in whatever your next capacity may be.
 
RE: Jim Who?

RE: Jim Who?

Jonathan Weis,

You took the words right out of my mouth. I second your comments about Mr Mayfield. Very sad to hear the news. Glad to hear you will continue being involved on this forum and in the gyroplane community. Good luck
 
Greetings Jim

I have never met you either, but had looked forward to returning to the land of my youth and finish my Gyro training. Please keep us posted as to the direction you choose to go in the gyro community; hopefully I can meet later this year.

Thank you for all the time spent on the forum helping us to understand issues related to Gyro stability.

Sig N San Bernardino Ca.
 
Jim;
You know where to find me.
Cody
 
Jim,

I wish you the best of luck in whatever avenue you pursue. Your contribution to this sport has been monumental and I expect we will see more in the future. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you here on the forum.
 
I have never had an occasion to look at a book of cliche meanings but I wouldn't be surprised to look up the meaning of 'Class Act' and find it says 'See Jim Mayfield'.
 
Good luck Jim. hopefully we will talk again...
 
Jim,

Though our communication were only few phone calls and few e-mails, I felt a big pleasure to be in contact with you.
It's really sad message for me - both in human and business sense.
I wish you the best and I will be glad to see you once :)
Since I'm completely living in gyroplanes now I also (strongly) hope we will continue seeing you in rotary life.

Stay tuned,
 
Jim,

You have always posted with honesty and integrity when people had questions about the Sparrow Hawk; this has done much to advance the sport.

Thanks and good luck with what ever you choose to do.
 
Jim's departure from GBA may not only be "their" loss, but a loss to all of us. Will GBA dealers continue buying Sparrow Hawks, get gyroplane CFIs on staff, and set-up gyro training centers? Those dealers who are already doing that would probably continue but would others join?

Jim, in a selfish way, I hope you can find another way to fulfill your dreams.

Udi
 
Jim, glad to hear that you intend to remain involved with gyroplanes and the forum. You are one of the very few who can make statements, observations and give sound advise without first having to big note yourself and/or belittle others.
Just the integrity of your statements and the way they are delivered is enough to convince anyone that you know what you are talking about. Your participation has been a breath of fresh air and I hope we see much more of it.
Good luck with your next venture - I will bet it will involve Gyroplanes. I hope you have a "large fortune".
 
Jim,

You have been the only thing about GBA which seemed credible or competent to me in the last few years. If that doesn't define and guarantee a role for you there, then perhaps my overall impression of the company has basis. I'm sure there have been some soul-searching, balancing-act moments for you. You've handled them very well.

Enjoy your time off, but not too much! I believe the next few years will be an exciting time to be involved with gyroplanes. Glad you'll be around.
 
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