XC to the KBFFI

[chipchap42]

Cool!

Cool!

Paul: I was at the Tehachapi Airport last evening, stopping in to see if they have a shower available. There were a couple of pilots in the lounge, and one of them asked if I had an aircraft.

I told him I didn't have it with me at the time, but that I am a pilot. They asked what it is I flew and I told him I'm one of those gyrocopter guys . I was expecting to get a roll of the eyes or silence afterwards, as is common when pilots ask me that question.

This fellow replied that he likes gyrocopters, thinking they're pretty neat. He asked me a couple of questions regarding auto rotation, and then stated that there had been a gyrocopter land there at the airport a little over a month ago.

I asked him if it was a tandem, yellow one, and then he said it was. He thought it was nifty how it came down in the wind rather steeply and landed just about like a helicopter.

Figuring that it was you landing there, since you told us you stopped over on your way to El Mirage, because of the gusting wind conditions.

So, your stopover at Tehachapi municipal airport on your way to El Mirage was noticed by at least one pilot who appreciates gyroplanes and how they fly!

Hi Kevin,

that's good to know. I had a nice chat with a couple with an RV - maybe in was them. He was knowledgable and knew what the gyro was (which puts him way ahead of most people I meet at airports - pilots and non).

Actually it wasn't gusty when I landed there - I just stopped to refuel. But I was worried it might be as the day before it had been gusting to 55mph.

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[Gman]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the adventure! I love it! One day I'll be able to share some of my own!

 

[Kevin_Richey]

I stand corrected!

 

[chipchap42]

I finally got around to editing the video I took while flying to/from the KBFFI. For any Top Gear fans, it also includes flying over the filming of the intro sequence from Amazon's new series The Grand Tour - that was quite the experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhMglY_mOk&feature=youtu.be
Cheers,
Paul.

 

[All_In]

Hi Paul excellent video. I enjoyed flying with you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kevin_Richey]

Nice video, Paul

Nice video, Paul

Well edited, too. Thanks for sharing.

 

[GyrOZprey]

Awesome memory of an epic trip!

Awesome memory of an epic trip!

Great video Paul. :first: I like the editing work .... what camera did you use ( handheld? ) What editing prog. do you use!

 

[chipchap42]

Thanks for the encouragement, folks.

Chris, the camera was just a standard GoPro Hero 4, and the main edit prog is iMovie (on a Mac). I do use a different program called Shave Video to trim clips down first. The handheld thing is definitely an issue. I can't find a better way of doing it than just holding the camera in one hand and using the joystick with the other. I did get a gimbal and tried that but it was a bit bulky, though the video was definitely smoother. I frankly think the best way to do it is to have someone (using a gimbal) shooting video from the back seat so the pilot can concentrate on the flying.

Cheers,
Paul.