September 2013 Rotorcraft 1

Transcription

1 September 2013 Rotorcraft 1

2 PRA President Doug Barker Rotorcraft Editor Lisa Kluttz Contributing Writers & Photographers Vance Breese Doug Barker Gabor Kovacs Matt Roberts John Rountree Technical Editor Doug Riley Historical Editor Dr. Bruce Charnov Regulatory Committee Chris Burgess, CFI Gary Goldsberry, CFI Tim O Connor, CFI Paul Plack Chapter Coordinator Dave Bacon PRA Office Manager Jane Feldman PRA Headquarters PO Box 68 Mentone, IN Phone: (574) Fax: (574) praofficemgr@gmail.com In This Issue: 3 Rotors Over The Rockies The Faces of Mentone 8 Hang Test Demonstration 11 Sunstate Wing & Rotor Club Labor Day Fly-In 12 A Blind Man s First Gyroplane Ride 14 Classifieds PRA Membership PRA members, our greatest asset, make up the most important community in the world of homebuilt rotorcraft! You may join PRA or renew your membership by visiting the PRA website at Advertising Advertising rates are available by ing Editor@PRA.org. Deadline for submissions is the first of the month. Classified ads are free to PRA members. You may submit your ad by sending it to praofficemgr@gmail.com. Article Submissions Rotorcraft welcomes your submissions pertaining to fly-ins, builds, upcoming events, and any other items regarding the world of rotorcraft. Deadline for submissions is the first of the month. All articles, photographs and information should be ed to Editor@PRA.org. Rotorcraft makes every attempt to provide accurate information. Views, opinions and statements expressed are not necessarily those of this publication. Rotorcraft reserves the right to edit material that is submitted and the right not to publish material that is deemed detrimental. On The Cover: At Rotors Over The Rockies Rotorcraft September 2013

3 Rotors Over the Rockies 2013 By Doug Barker For those that weren t able to join us this year at the Rotors Over the Rockies Fly In (in Utah), you missed an incredible event. Weather usually plays at least a small role at our fly-in for at least one of the days, but this year it was absolutely perfect for the whole event. It just seems to keep growing and getting better and better every year. It is going to be hard to top the event we had this year, but we are already working on doing that. Speaking of that, the URA (Utah Rotorcraft Association) has decided to extend the fly-in from a three days to a full five-day event in order to give those that travel greater distances to join us more time to play while they are here. While we started out as a very small regional event with only two flying gyros and people attending from a handful of states, we have grown to include dozens of Rotorcraft (everything from a single place Bensen to a Vancraft Gyro, to a Windryder and all the way up to the sleek new composite two place machines from AutoGyro and Xenon, and everything in between. We even had several Blackhawk Helicopters that flew in this year). Also, people come from all over the country (with more than a dozen states represented this year). Our farthest traveled award this year went to Kent Goddard who traveled all the way from Florida to be with us (and brought his beautiful MTO Sport). So if you re thinking it s too far away to travel to join us, just be aware, others are traveling farther than you. It really is more about how high a priority it is for you to come. We hope that more of you will choose to make ROTR one of your priorities for the 2014 flying season. Next year s ROTR is scheduled for June 10th through 14th. Besides lots of wide open spaces to fly over and a majestic mountain range within a few miles of the airport (complete with canyons and waterfalls), we also had lots of activities going on for the entire event. The cross country breakfast flight is always a lot of fun. This year we had a six gyros fly in to the nearby towered airport in Ogden for a breakfast at one of the airport cafés. Many others made the trip by car, so we had quite the group there and just about filled the restaurant with our party. We Next year s ROTR is scheduled for June 10th through 14th. September 2013 Rotorcraft 3

4 One of the highlights of this year s event was having Marion Springer join us. had one DAR in attendance and three gyro CFI s and a helicopter CFI, so training and inspections were going on throughout the event. We had thrust test equipment and scales available to weigh machines, so that people could get some help with those issues while at our event. One of the highlights of this year s event was having Marion Springer join us. One of our evening events was a special movie showing of The Great Skycopter Rescue, a movie which she and her late husband Docko did the stunt flying for. After we watched the movie, Marion gave a presentation on what it was like making a movie about gyroplanes and the stories behind the story were the best part. Getting to know Marion better was a special treat and something that we will all long remember. While the flying is always great and why most of us attend events like this, the relationships we build and the memories that we bring away with us tend to be our most treasured memories as time passes on. Thank you, Marion, for helping make this event so memorable for us. We also held an EAA Young Eagles Fly-In event in conjunction with our ROTR Fly-In this year. This brought out a bunch of locals and all kinds of young people to get exposed to the wonderful world of flying. And some of them got a chance to experience their first flight in a gyroplane. It was pretty exciting to see the looks on their faces both when they found out about the chance to fly in a gyroplane and the look on their faces when they got down after their ride. That big grin sure makes all the effort it takes to put something like this together more than worth it. I believe we really created a lot of goodwill with the public by inviting them out to see and fly in our machines. 4 Rotorcraft September 2013

5 In addition to all the flying activities, we also had forums scheduled throughout the event. One of the great things about having our event at the Brigham City Airport is the great facilities we get to use for meetings and having a large air-conditioned office within the hangar for forums and for banquet use. The forums were educational and the food was incredible. Every year I think, the food can t get better than this, and then it does. The banquet is done internally by our members and it is always better than we could get if we had it professionally catered. Thanks to all those who work so hard to make this such a great event! It has grown to more than I originally ever imagined it could. And every year as more people agree to take part in the planning and help to run the event, and as more people decide to commit to taking some time off and travel to attend, it just gets better and better. If you don t already have June 10th through the 14th in 2014, reserved on your calendar, to come to this great fly-in. You owe it to yourself to make the effort to make it happen. For those that are in the Eastern and Central part of our country, I know it is a long way to travel to be with us, but I believe you will feel like others who have made that long journey to be with us, It was well worth it! Come join us for what many have told us is the best rotorcraft flyin they have ever attended. (We ll leave the lights on!) September 2013 Rotorcraft 5

6 The Faces of Mentone Vance Breese has supplied us with additional photos from the 51st Annual PRA International Convention held last month in Mentone, Indiana. This is just a sampling of some of the Faces of Mentone. Many more were involved in the set-up and organization of the event. Many thanks to all for their help to make the event a success and to those who attended! CFI Brita Penca and her gyro. Carl Schneider at banquet. CFI Desmon Butts Gives Danny Whitten His BFR Chapter Coordinator Chris Toevs & Farmer Jim at Banquet PRA Chapter 62 Members Attend General Membship Meeting 6 Rotorcraft September 2013 Mark Rhodes Expains What an Engine is to PRA Chapter 62 A&P Mark Spies!

7 Gary Goldsbury s Grandaughter Jadelyn & John Bateman s Grandaughter Skylar John Rountree, Stan Foster, Paul Plack, Mark Shook & Todd Rieck at Banquet All In... and then some! Karol & Dick DeGraw at Banquet Mrs. Rymer, Jane Feldman, Robert Rymer & Tim O Connor at Banquet PAC Chairman Mark Shook Leading PAC Meeting Paul Plack, PRA Prez Doug Barker & PRA VP Tim O Connor September 2013 Rotorcraft 7

8 Hang Test Demonstration Officers & Directors Doug Barker, President 738 East 425 South Layton, UT (801) Tim O Connor, Vice Pres Barton Drive Batavia, OH (513) bmwcyclist@yahoo.com Scott Lewis, Bus. Mgr SW Green Ridge La. Palm City, FL (561) scottlewis.pra@gmail.com Robert Rymer, Treasurer 3583 Leadmine Valley Rd SW Cleveland, TN (423) robert.rymer@netzero.com PRA members were privileged to have the option of viewing a hang test at Mentone this year. The test was offered by the PRA as a member benefit. Office Manager Jane Feldman was able to get a donated forklift for our use from Craig s Welding and Manufacturing, Inc. We appreciate their assistance. The forklift made the test easy. In the photos you can see the gyroplane being hang tested by John Rountree on the forklift and also steadying the gyroplane with other volunteers. Stan Foster aligned the laser pointer and marked the center of gravity point on the cardboard. Then we hung it from a second attachment point on the hub bar and repeated the process. We found that it was very close to centerline trust. About 20 to 30 PRA members watched and learned how to do the test. John Rountree rd Street LeMesa, CA (619) Greg Mills 5003 Monticello Road Villa Rica, GA (770) gtmills@hotmail.com Duane Hunn West 600 South Mentone, IN (219) dgyro2000@yahoo.com Tom Milton 3441 Washington Lansing, IL (708) gyroplanes@aol.com Matt Novotney Gibson St. Crown Point, IN (708) mnovotney@hotmail.com Rick Whittridge 1290 North Broad St. Fairborn, OH (937) gogadget1@yahoo.com 8 Rotorcraft September 2013

9 PRA Chapters Arizona #15 Arizona Rotorcraft Club Carl Matter #6 Mid-South Rotorcraft Club Thom Francis California #1 Ken Brock Rotorcraft Assoc Terry Smith #31 San Diego Rotorcraft Club John Rountree Dave Bacon Colorado #38 Colorado Rotorcraft Assoc Mark Shook Florida #26 Sunstate Wing & Rotor Club Gabor Kovacs com Georgia #56 Peach State Rotor Club Jon Carleton PRA Membership Has Its Advantages access to the only on-line sport pilot gyroplane ground school that provides 24 hours of live professional training to PRA members for a mere $150. members-only discounts on insurance and other products members-only content on the PRA website voting privileges in elections expanded magazine content (future issues) Join today at Illinois #13 Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club Tom Milton gyroplanes@aol.com #25 North Il-South WI Rotorcraft Mike McKiernan mjmgraphics@att.net #35 Saint Louis Rotorcraft Club Dave Herrmann herrmannd@gmail.com Craig Finnegan feather_fingers@hotmail.com wwwstlrotorcraft.com September 2013 Rotorcraft 9

10 PRA Chapters Indiana #34 Indiana Rotorcraft Association Kevin O Kane okanecco@hotmail.com #70 Maumee Valley Rotorcraft Michael Marckel mmarckel@msn.com Exclusive Videos and Training Info For PRA Members Only #80 The Flying 80 s Joe Manr gyromahr@earthlink.net #81 Mentone Aero Club Bernard Ernst mikeernst@datacruz.com Kansas #75 Wichita Wing & Rotor Club Jim & Chris Toevs cjjjtoevs@juno.com Louisiana #20 Pelican State Rotorcraft Rudy Graffeo rlgraffeo@eatel.net Bill Wieger bwieger@suddenlink.net Michigan #77 West Michigan Rotorcraft Wes Clements tazmaniac@auis.net #63 Central MI Gyroplane Club Ashley Barrett Ashleybarrett123@cs.com PRA members have special access to the members only section of the website: You must log on to access the videos. If you have problems logging on, PRA web Support: praglobalsupportteam@gmail.com Minnesota #17 Minnesota Rotorcraft Club Brent Bruns brent@igotoofar.com New Hampshire #39 Yankee Rotors John Christopher Jpchrisopher1955@hotmail.com New Jersey #14 North Jersey Rotorcraft Ralf Schumann Rotorcraft September 2013

11 Sunstate Wing and Rotor Club had a great fly-in at Wauchula on Labor Day weekend. It was a very unique experience for both the club and Matt Roberts who experienced his first gyro ride. He also happens to be blind. Look for his first-hand account on page 12. Gyroplane CFIs The following instructors are PRA members. This list is provided as a convenience for readers, and does not constitute an endorsement of any instructor, aircraft, syllabus or training enterprise by PRA. (Aircraft listed in parentheses are available for instruction.) Arkansas Ron Menzie (501) S Main St Searcy, AR ronsgyros@gmail.com (SparrowHawk, Parsons, RAF) Arizona Terry Brandt (602) W Citrus Grove Avondale, AZ tbrandt33@earthlink.net Britta Penca (520) PO Box 222 Oracle, AZ brittaglo@yahoo.com Florida Dofin Fritts (850) Brewton Muni Airport AL 12J Pensacola, FL gyrocfi@aol.com (251) (RAF 2000) Roy T. Hanan 188 Edgewater River Rd Edgewater, FL roythanan@yahoo.com (Autogyro MTO Sport) Robert Martian (772) SE Helen Terrace Hobe Sound, FL (Marchetti) Georgia Steve McGowan (478) Herbert Small Airport Rd Macon, GA stemcgwn@aol.com (SparrowHawk, Parsons) Illinois Don Randle (217) South 6th St. Petersburg, IL drandle@gmail.com Chris Lord (815) Chris@freedomflite.com chris@pictaio.com NW Illinois (Auto-Gyro Calidus, SP CFI for Powered Parachute, Fixed wing and Gyro) Indiana Brent Drake (317) Hickory Dr Shelbyville, IN brentdrake@hotmail.com (Twinstarr) Gary Goldsberry (317) W SR 42 Mooresville, IN gsgold@ccrtc.com (Twinstarr) Silas Smith (219) W 117th St Cedar Lake, IN (Marchetti) Maryland Chris Burgess (301) Sylvan Ct. Frederick, MD gyrocfi.burgess@gmail.com (SnoBird) Robert L. Snyder 60 W Earleigh Heights Rd. Severna Park, MD cfibob@atlanticbb.net (Calidus, MTOSport) Frederick Rick Niles (240) Hilltop Ct. Laurel, MD nilesaviation@gmail.com (RAF 2000) Michigan Duane Hunn (219) Janes Road Saginaw, MI dgyro2000@yahoo.com Galen Geigley (574) M-86 Sturgis, MI galengeigley@comcast.net (Calidus) New York Jim Logan (516) Primrose Rd. Williston Park, NY jlgyro@hotmail.com (RAF) Ohio Ed Newbold (614) Balkin Pl. Columbus, OH ednewbold@enewbold.com (Modified RAF) Tim O Connor 4230 Barton Drive Batavia, OH (513) bmwcyclist@yahoo.com Oklahoma Paul Patterson (405) Cedar Ridge Rd Edmond, OK paulpatterson1@cox.net (RAF) OREGON Jim Vanek (503) Skyway Dr Scappoose, OR pra_chapter73@yahoo.com (Sportcopter) Pennsylvania James Nadig (724) PO Box 724 Grove City, PA gidanmij@verizon.net (RAF) South Carolina Gary Neal (864) Bryant Rd Spartanburg, SC gyroman@bellsouth.net (RAF) Tennessee Larry Banks (931) Crossville, TN heroncreek@bledsoe.net Texas Henry Foster (214) Royal Lane Dallas, TX Trains at Olney, TX Airport hsf66@yahoo.com (Mod. RAF, SparrowHawk, Air Cmd) Desmon Butts (907) Hayden Cove Tomball, TX Trains at David Wayne Hooks Airport texasautogyro@yahoo.com (AutoGyro MTO Sport N446QT, Calidus, Sparrow Hawk, RAF, Air Command, Golden Butterfly) Craig McPherson (817) FM 3049 Blum,TX (MTO Sport. Will travel to train) Utah Michael Burton (801) Spanish Fork, UT michaelburton@pilotco.com Costa Rica Guido Scheidt Ultralight Tour S.A. September 2013 Rotorcraft 11

12 A Blind Man s First Gyroplane Ride I ve been blind since birth, but I don t let it stop me from learning about things that interest me. By Matt Roberts I ve been interested in aviation for a long time. Most of my experience has been commercial airliners, and general aviation aircraft. I ve listened to aircraft frequencies and am familiar with communication procedures. I ve been blind since birth, but I don t let it stop me from learning about things that interest me. A few months ago there was a gyroplane crash south of me. When I heard the news reports, I asked myself if it was really that dangerous. Not knowing anything about gyros themselves, and not knowing anyone to ask, I let it drop right there. While attending the International Cessna 170 Association convention in Bardstown Kentucky, I was with some friends at the local airport. Someone was about to go flying in what they described as a gyrocopter, but I now know it was a gyroplane. We were in a vehicle, so I attempted to hear the aircraft when the person took off. I was able to do so from a distance. I don t know much about the aircraft because I wasn t able to talk to the pilot or put my hands on it. I m guessing it was open cockpit, because the pilot was wearing a helmet. During the conversation someone said, he s suiting up. That s what prompted me to ask what the pilot was wearing. I decided to try to research if it would be possible for me to experience a ride in a gyroplane, though I can t fly one as a pilot. Not a lot of information is available on this topic on the net. I did find a few videos on YouTube which showed people taking rides so I knew it was possible. 12 Rotorcraft September 2013

13 While researching, I found the following article, EAA - Light Plane World - This is Not Your Father s Gyroplane which was written by Tim O Connor. At the end of the article, it stated Tim posts to the Rotary Wing Forum. I wondered if I should even join that forum or not, but decided to take the chance. Opting to join the forum might be the way for me to network with pilots who would give me a ride. After posting an introductory message, I was told gyroplane pilots meet at two airports in Florida -- Valkaria and Wauchula. Upon researching, I discovered both airports were a long distance from where I lived. If I wanted to experience a gyro ride, I d need to get to one of these airports. I knew there had to be a way, so just stayed focused on my goal. I was contacted by Gabor Kovacs, president of the Sunstate Wing and Rotor Club in Florida. It turned out he lives very close to me, and said he d help get me to Wauchula. My transportation problem was solved! I was invited to attend the Labor Day gathering for the club, which I accepted. I continued to research gyroplanes. After watching more videos, I found some training lessons in a gyro, posted on YouTube by Michael Burton. I also found a demonstration of an engine out situation, posted by Brian Willis. There was one thing I couldn t find. I wanted to understand the take-off and landing procedure. I found Tim O Connor s two part video titled, Demo / Intro Ride In a Gyroplane! (Gyrocopter). The description of what he was doing was just what I was seeking. I took my first gyroplane ride at Wauchula, Florida. On the day of the ride, I wondered if I was prepared. That morning I watched one of Michael Burton s instructional videos. All I could do was take the ride. When the time came for me to climb into the gyroplane, the first thing I noticed was it was very high. How was I going to get into this thing? Fortunately someone talked me through how to get in the seat. For this ride, I had to wear a helmet and goggles as well. After getting in the gyro, I noticed there was no floor. Where do I put my feet? I know they can t just hang in mid-air! You put your feet on a bar in front of you, but be careful you don t block the pedals. The pilot, Dave, was great. He was good at explaining to me what was happening. During take-off, the aircraft will shake a bit. I was warned about it, so I was prepared. The flight consisted of three trips around the pattern. The first time, Dave took me through an engine out situation. A gyro is always in autorotation, if the engine quits the aircraft can still be landed. This was a situation I wanted to experience, so if I m flying with someone and it happens I m prepared. After recovering from the engine out, we flew around the pattern and did a touch and go. A full stop landing followed. The ride was over! I can t put into words what it s like to fly in a gyro. I loved flying with the wind in my face. IF I had my choice to fly in anything, it would be a gyro. PRA Chapters Rjs495@erols.com Ohio #19 Buckeye Rotorheads Brad Dutton gyrohead@aol.com #40 Cincinnati Rotorcraft Assoc. Scott Biser Scott.biser@formica.com Oregon #73 Great NW Sport Rotorcraft Jon Dailey (8 am-4:30 pm) jon@sportcopter.com Pennsylvania #4 West Penn Rotorcraft Club Jim Nadig gidanmig@verizon.net South Carolina #13 SC/GA Rotorcraft club John Magnan Jem2@earthlink.net Tennessee #16 Volunteer State Rotorheads David McCutchen Gyro28866@gmail.com Texas #65 Central Texas Rotorcraft club Paul Erb pergyro@sbcglobal.net #62 Lone Star Rotorcraft Club Steve Weir Zsteve54@earthlink.net #78 Texas Rotorcraft Assoc Bob Stark rgstart@brazosnet.org Utah #2 Utah Rotorcraft Assoc Doug Barker doug@domaworld.com September 2013 Rotorcraft 13

14 Classifieds Classified advertisements in Rotorcraft are a free service to PRA Members. Submissions should be ed to: praofficemgr@gmail.com For Sale Kasperwing Ultra Lite In storage since 1985 Good project $1500 OBO and sold as is Ron Ellis Rotorway Exec 162F and/or Customized Mobile Hangar For Sale Go to: and look under the header Jeanne for more information and pictures. WANTED Looking for Bensen aluminum rotor blades and hub bar for my Bensen restoration. The blades must be in airworthy condition. Contact Albert Dyer days McCollough 72 hp engine with new starter kit, 1920 poly carbonator and wood prop $3000 Other parts are also available. Call Hoppy Malatek WANTED Looking for complete, reasonably priced Commander gyro frame to use as a pattern for a new project. Tires, engine, and rotorhead are not necessary but a plus. SCORPION 2 helicopter for sale As is, make offer. Call or for more information. ScorpionCopter@gmail.com Phone: (305) Amax reduction drive for sale. For AE 81 subaru motor. It was bolted on to a motor but was never flown, so I would say it is in new condition. $1500. Terry Hardage David W Hill (760) Rotorcraft September 2013

15 Classifieds Classified advertisements in Rotorcraft are a free service to PRA Members. Submissions should be ed to: praofficemgr@gmail.com RF 170 (3 Seater) For Sale $15, Includes: - 3 carbon prop blades w/covers - one extra set of used carbon blades - one set of sport rotors 8 x13 (new in Box) Reasonable offers and trade offers will be considered. Please contact David Holmes at after 3:00 CST weekdays or on the weekends or holmesbrent@yahoo.com Click the link below for a Youtube video of David Holmes flying it sometime before he accidentally rolled it. Forward to minute 15:56 to see about 20 seconds of the gyro in the air and on the runway. watch?v=zgw-yfff8iu RAF 2000 Sparrow Hawk Project RAF - Cabin Kit...List $3261. RAF - 23 gallon Seat Tank...List $ 441. Rudder, fiberglass...list $ 400. Main Axle assembly (expandable carbon fiber suspension) with balloon tires on aluminum rims...list $ 500. Front wheel assembly (Sport Copter, castering)...list $ 300. Engine (Factory EA-81 Subaru, turbo charged, electronic fuel injection. Produces 120 HP)...List $600. Warp drive, carbon fiber, ground adjustable propeller with direct drive hub...list $700. Folding mast assembly...list $200. Set of fiberglass floats - 33 lbs each, 11 LX 2 W...List $1,200. Boxes of parts, most needed to finish plane...list $ Total Value $7,602.+ WILL SELL FOR $3,000. For additional information call or for pictures or questions LThrossel@safetyresc.com SNOBIRD GYRO FOR SALE $ Grayhead Rotex 50 hours total time Electric pre-rotor 24 Rotor Hawk blades Trailer with electric winch for lifting blades sette1@juno. com for photos Call Denis Sette at RAF 2000 Never flown. Professionally-built EA-82 Subaru. N-numbered, 99% complete. Canary yellow. Wonderful opportunity! Upstate New York. $14,000 (518) FOR SALE $4, For further information, contact Ralph Heading at For Sale Ralph Taggart plans-built UL gyrocopter Partially completed, lacking only a Rotax 447 w/prop, rotorhead, and rotors. Featured on many threads on com under my name, treaze. Plus, I d be glad to send any pics or info desired. I d like to get a minimum of my material costs, which have been $ , but no reasonable offer refused. Contact Terry Rees at treaze@me.com 90 hp McColluch engine Rebuilt and still in crate $3400 Chris Riener September 2013 Rotorcraft 15

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