June 2014 - GyrosAway

June 2014
Antony Thomas Flying Above Anahuac
Southwest Regional Chapters of the Popular Rotorcraft Association
Chapter 6 Mid-South Rotorcraft Club
Contact: Thom Francis
210 S 8th Street
Gurdon, AR 71743
Email: thomefran@netscape.net
Phone: 870-403-2888
This Months Contributors:
Dean Dolph
Bill Wieger
Bob O’Dell
Danny Whitten
Don Bouchard
Walt Backer
Chapter 20 Pelican State Rotor Club
Contact: Bill Wieger
112 Gayven Dr.
Pineville, LA 71360
Phone: 318-640-5656
Email: bwieger@suddenlink.net
Website www.pra20.com
Chapter 62 Lone Star Rotorcraft Club
Contact: Mark Spies
Houston, TX
Phone: 713-469-2462
Email: MarkHSpies@gmail.com
Website: www.gyrosaway.com
Chapter 65 Central Texas Rotorcraft Club
Contact: Paul Erb
9901 Brodie Ln. 160-283
Austin, TX 78748
Email: perbgyro@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 512-680-1835
Website: www.centexpra.org
Visit The Lone Star Rotorcraft Club on Facebook.
Southwest Regional Newsletter
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Club news and upcoming events
Member profiles
Member’s machines
Chapter meeting minutes
Projects, builds and modification
Photos
Family news
Classifieds
Newsletter Past Issues
Chapter 78 Texas Rotorcraft Association
Contact: Bob Stark
PO Box 428
Olney, TX 76374
Phone: 940-564-2938
Email: rgstark@brazosnet.com
Website: www.txrotorcraft.org
Oklahoma
Contact: Robbie Hyde
Duncan, OK
Email: Robbie.hyde@yahoo.com
Phone: 580-475-5261
Southwest Rotorcraft
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Page 2
June 2014
Upcoming Events
Send Us Your News
June 10-14; Rotors Over the Rockies, Brigham
City Utah
June 21; Chapter 62 Meeting at Anahuac
June 28; Chapter 78 Meeting in Olney
June 28th; Chapter 65 Fly-In in Luling Texas
July 19; Chapter 62 Meeting in Anahuac
July 6; Chapter 78 Meeting in Olney
August 5-9; PRA International Convention, Mentone Indiana
September 25-27; Ken Brock Freedom Fly-In; El
Mirage Dry Lake Bed California
October 17-19; Steve Weir Memorial Fly-In
(Formerly Gatorfest Fly-In), Anahuac Texas
October 24 and 25; Chapter 20 Meet in Bastrop,
LA
On the Cover
Antony Thomas flying
high above Anahuac
Texas, picture shot by
Bobby Martin as he
flew alongside in his
MTO Sport
Southwest Rotorcraft
Project Reports
Send us pictures of your project to include in future editions of the newsletter. We will post anything you have on your build, modifications, training, etc. Just send an email to tell us what you
are doing and include some pictures if you have
any. Progress reports are probably the most interesting things to read about and see.
Your Pride and Joy
Send us pictures of your machine to include as a
feature in future editions. If you include some information on the details of your machine or a
short bio of yourself we’ll also include this with
your pictures. Brag about your aircraft!!
Events and Meetings
Next time you’re at a fly-in or just out flying with a
buddy, take some pictures and let us know about
it. Have your club secretary send us your club
news and tell us about your meetings. Send us
names of new members so we can welcome
them to our sport. We are interested in anything
your club is doing.
Family News and Announcements
Our newsletter isn’t just all about the machines,
it’s about the people of our region also. Any family news or announcements you want to share
please feel free to send us so we can let everyone know.
Page 3
June 2014
Steve Weir Memorial
Fund
The family of Steve Weir, with the support
of the PRA, has set up a memorial fund in
Steve’s name. The funds will be used by
the PRA for education and training. If you
would like to contribute, please visit the
PRA website’s donation page, http://
www.pra.org/donation.aspx?i=48, check “other”
and put Steve’s name in the box. Fill in the
amount you wish to contribute , check the payment method, and hit “Donate”, it’s that easy.
If you can’t, or would rather not contribute via internet, you can send a check to the PRA at:
We strongly encourage all SWR readers to become members of the PRA. By joining you will
be supporting the organization that promotes
our sport by representing us to the FAA and assist them on making gyro flying available for all
of us. The new PRA website has several members only benefits including: PRA’s electronic
Rotorcraft magazines along with past issues
chocked full of great information and historical
data, downloadable plans, and a PRA supported
forum. Please join today, you won’t be disappointed.
www.pra.org
PRA
Steve Weir Memorial
P. O. Box 68
Mentone, Indiana 46539
Make sure you clearly mark the check with
Steve’s name to assure the funds are deposited into the right place.
PRA Volunteer
Opportunities
From The Editor
One year without a cigarette, what an accomplishment for me. All of the other vices I have ever had,
many of them I don’t wish to divulge, have
seemed very easy to kick as compared to smoking. I tried many different times and just couldn’t
do it. One time I was even able to hold off for a
little over three months so the addiction was well
over with, but the habit came back and I once
again fell off the wagon. This time I tried the vaporizer, which I keep hearing many mixed reviews
on and there is no research as to the hazards, but
it worked for me. Three days after getting my vaporizer, I was no longer wanting a cigarette. Now I
just need to get rid of the vaporizer, which shouldn’t be very tough because I really don’t use it
much at all.
Hopefully this can serve as an inspiration to anyone else wanting to make a change, kick a habit,
or get your wings, stay persistent, it may be tough
but if you work at it hard enough, I’m sure you can
do it.
Until next month, fly safely.
Mike Grosshans, Southwest Rotorcraft Editor
Southwest Rotorcraft
The PRA is not a self-standing separate entity; the PRA is the expression of the effort
by the members who donate some of their
time to our wonderful sport. Please consider
lending a hand by pitching in and volunteering for PRA activities like writing articles, helping at the convention or some of
the following positions.
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Web Content Editor
Web Interface Programmer
Manufacturer Information Ambassador
Airport Activities Manager
Web and Content Ambassador
Advertisement Coordinator
Social Media Ambassador
Curator Volunteer for the History of
the PRA
For info about any of these opportunities,
email praglobalsupportteam@gmail.com.
Page 4
June 2014
May Meeting
On May 17th, the May Meeting of PRA Chapter 62
was called to order by Secretary Mike Grosshans
(filling in for Mark). Members in attendance were
Stacy Maness, Dean Dolph, Danny Whitten, Bobby
Munroe, Cliff Massey, Michael Stone, Antony
Thomas, Chauncey Surry, Keith Johnston, and
Todd Moak. Visitors were David Trammel, Doyle
Millen, and Elizabeth Stone; David joined that
day.
Dean mentioned that the PRA had some open
board positions and encouraged anyone interested to please let us know so we can assist in the
nomination.
Danny presented the monthly Chapter bank balance.
Stacey presented a safety topic, his discussion
was on the care and maintenance of rotor blades.
New Business began with Dean offering to donate
his boom trainer to the club, it was decided the
club would accept, more details to follow.
Mike mentioned that Rotor Over the Rockies was
coming up and that Dean, Danny, and himself will
be attending.
The Vice President’s position was discussed. Since
Steve is currently having to work extended hours
and extra days, he is having difficulty attending
the meetings. Dean asked if anyone would be willing to step up and fill the position. Cliff said he
would be very interested and would like the opportunity, Dean motioned for a vote, Stacey seconded and a vote was taken. The vote was unanimously in favor of Cliff Massey to assume the position of Vice President.
The group was updated on the status of Steve
McGowan and was informed his engine had went
out, we will let everyone know more as we know
more.
The group was asked for suggestions for purchases for the chapter shop, a floor mounted drill press
and a MIG welder was suggested. A sheet metal
machine was purchased last week and the group
agreed on the chapter purchase.
The meeting was adjourned, the lunch (BBQ brisket) was provided by Danny, donations were accepted.
Next meeting is set for June 21st at Anahuac, Cliff
volunteered to bring the lunch.
Ground school was held in the FBO after lunch.
Chapter 62 wishes to welcome it’s newest member.
David Trammel joined us in
May.
Welcome aboard, we’re glad to
have you with us and hope to
see your new RAF flying soon.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 5
June 2014
Rotors Rule at Pineville EAA Fly-In April 12
Good weather prevailed at Pineville for the Spring
EAA Fly-In, but the low ceiling conditions at embarkation locations elsewhere produced slim fixed
wing arrivals. Proportionately, gyros were much
more “numerous” with four flying in the afternoon
as shown in the tarmac picture. Gyronaughts sort
of messed with the minds of the fixed wingers on
this date.
Gyros certainly were the attention-getters with the
visitors. The Pineville (Lake Buhlow) airport is an
absolutely great place for “close-up and personal”
acquaintance with aircraft and flight operations,
with the close proximity of the tarmac-taxiwayrunway layout. Thus the visitors can see and enjoy flying very close.
Bill Wieger is an “established regular” at the
events and Mark Lohman has become a recent
regular. Wieger is known for providing air show
periods in the box just across the runway from the
hangars.
This year the presence of Paul Juneau and Mark
McDonner added an enormous new dimension to
the event. Mark would probably have won the
longest distance award, if it was still given, with his
flight from Gonzales arriving in time for noon
chow. The two place colorful Sparrowhawk provided a much greater perception of gyro sophistication and advancement that most people were
aware of. Scott Bordelon was also on hand but
without gyro. Paul dazzled spectators with takeoffs and landings after he got a feel of the airport.
Several were estimating the length of his take-off
roll, which was thought to be six feet by some.
The event closed out the day with an evening banquet in EAA Chapter 614’s extraordinary clubhouse and on the lakeside deck along with music
and dancing to the Red River Jazz Band. One unscheduled event closure was an emergency landing by a DC-3 (I think) on its return trip easterly
which put down on Paul Juneau’s grass strip near
Simmsport.
Mid-South Rotorcraft Club
Jim Edwards of Russellville Arkansas has started a new VW powered Gyro working with Walter Backer
from Atkins AR who has a machine shop. We are looking forward to keeping everyone posted. Charles
Hill, also from Russellville, is getting closer to finishing His VW Powered gyro. This area is getting lots of
Gyros.
CENTRAL TEXAS ROTORCRAFT CLUB
Second Annual Fly-In
Chapter 65 will be holdings it’s second
fly-in, June 28th at Luling Carter Memorial (T91), Luling Texas
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 6
June 2014
Texas Rotorcraft Association
May Meeting by Bob O’Dell
The Texas Rotorcraft Association met on May
24th in the back room at Don Antonio’s restaurant
in Olney, Texas.
There were eight members and twelve guests in
attendance at the meeting including Larry Neal,
Bob Stark, Bob and Betty O’Dell, Bryan Fair, Ira
McComic, Henry Foster, Jim and Leatha
Hirsch, Elaine Paniszczyn, David D'Antonio, Scott
Sullins, Desmon and Crissy Butts, Patrick Christine, Glenda Purcell, Larry and Barbara Ward, Ron
Ingram, and Kathy Rodriguez.
The speaker for the meeting was Jim Hirsch who
is the President of Air Tractor. Jim provided us
with the history of Air Tractor starting with Leland
Snow's first aircraft modification and use in South
Texas until the present day successful operation in Olney, Texas. There were many
bumps in the road that would have derailed most
operations but Leland Snow was not one to let
bumps stop his progress. While Leland was testing one of his earlier prototypes, he pulled several
G’s to demonstrate the strength of the aircraft. A
wing folded and fortunately Leland was able
to safely bail out. They later determined that the
cause was a misplaced decimal point in one of the
design calculations. A situation like this would
have been the end for most companies but did not
deter Leland. Air Tractor is now producing more
than just spray planes, their products range from
fire fighters to military aircraft. The State Department has several aircraft used for spraying illegal
drug crops in foreign countries. These planes
have special plating and bullet proof windshields
and fuel tanks. These aircraft take ground fire on a
regular basis in their daily operations. The use of
Air Tractors in fighting forest fires is gaining popularity. These planes can be equipped with floats
and a system for loading water from a reservoir
while flying. Turnaround time is in seconds. An
undisclosed number of especially equipped Air
Tractors with attachment points for weapons have
been sold to foreign countries. One of these aircraft was successfully tested in Olney firing a live
50 caliber machine gun. Air Tractor is presently
producing 150 to 200 aircraft a year. Olney has
been good for Air Tractor and Air Tractor has
been good for Olney.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Our club will try to sponsor a trip through Air
Tractor's plant later in the year.
After the lunch and program, the group went to
the Olney Airport where some flying and lying
took place.
The next TRA meeting is scheduled for June
28, 2014, at Bryan and Paula Fair's house.
This is an annual event that takes place at their
home on a landing strip near Boyd, Texas. Bryan
and Paula will furnish the Bar-B-Q meat dish and
everyone else is invited to bring a covered dish.
You can fly into this airport if that be your desire.
Bryan has promised to provide details of the festivities to all on our mailing list. Everyone is invited. If you are not on the TRA mailing list but
would want to come to this get-together, send
me your email address and I will make sure you
get the details. My email is redman@brazosnet.com.
Bob
Page 7
June 2014
DREAM IT - BUILD IT - FLY IT
Don Bouchard’s Newest
Creation
Last year at the Ken Brock Freedom Fly-In, Don
purchased what looked like just a trailer load of
parts, it was in no way anything you could possibly consider a gyro, it looked like the trailer was
worth more than the machine. With perseverance, he trailered it all the way from El Mirage,
back to College Station Texas. He had to stop
and replace the tires, and even ran into someone in Arizona who purchased the engine from
him.
Months later he brought it to a chapter 62 meeting, it didn’t look anything like what he picked up
at El Mirage. Don even made the trip all the way
to Bensen Days this year with his newest creation. Even though it remained under a tarp for
most of the event (due to rain), it was uncovered
long enough for many of us to see it again, it
was sure looking good and I’m sure it was a
strong contender for the most innovative built
gyro. Don’s build sports a round tubing frame
and an Eco Tech three cylinder engine.
The building is almost complete and it should be
ready for it’s first flights soon. Hopefully we will
be able to witness the first flights at the Chapter
62 hangars.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 8
June 2014
wicksaircraft.com
DAR Services, Prerotators, and Seat Tanks
www.calumetair.com
aircraftspruce.com
Forum Talk
Here are some interesting threads about pre-rotators, there are a couple on the use
of a cordless drill which I find very intriguing and possibly a very viable option to keep
weight off if your shooting for the ultra light category.
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35788
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40498
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34432
Newest and Youngest DPE
Dayton Dabbs, Texas gyro CFI and Magni dealer of
Round Rock Texas, has just received his DPE designation from the FAA. I had the pleasure of meeting Dayton
last year at the Chapter 62 fly-in in Anahuac. He is a super great guy and from what I hear, a very outstanding
instructor. Congratulations Dayton, this is what our sport
was in need of and there couldn’t have been a better
person to get it.
Dayton writes: I am very excited to help advance our
sport and promote safety as the highest priority. There
were 5 DPE applicants in the class including myself
(Magni Rep), Mark Sprigg (Magni Rep - Missouri), Chris
Lord (Xenon Rep - Illinois), Bob Snyder (AutoGyro Rep Maryland), and Pat Warren (Sportcopter Pilot - Oregon). The class was held in Oklahoma City from June
2nd-June 6th, and all of us left with at least a sport pilot
(Pat & Bob received Commercial) designation. I know
we all have safety as the number one priority, and we are
all very excited to promote the future of gyro aviation.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 9
June 2014
Got a Fly-In Coming Up In Your
Area?
Please send us the information and we’ll let everybody
know.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 10
June 2014
Hangar Flying
Think your having a bad day?
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 11
June 2014
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that are making gyroplanes better, safer, and more inviting to fly for novices
new to aviation as well as pilots who fly
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In brief, whether you’re avidly interested
in gyroplanes or simply curious, this
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Available on Amazon.com.
Also available on Amazon:
Gyro Books For Sale
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ORDERING INFORMATION
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To Order By Mail
Send check or money order payable to:
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Pay Online Through PayPal
Email: ddakota@earthlink.net
Southwest Rotorcraft
Great books, DVDs, and CDs at
www.gyrobooks.com
Page 12
June 2014
Hangar Talk Radio
Nationally syndicated weekly talk radio show on Yahoo
Sports Radio dedicated to all aspects of aviation and aviation enthusiasts. Also available on Podcast and iHeart Radio.
Chapter Patches
If you would like to get a chapter patch for your flight suit,
favorite shirt, ball cap, or just whatever you want to stick
it on, contact:
Chapter 20; Rudy Graffeo at RLGraffeo@eatel.net
Chapter 62; Danny Whitten at dannywhitten@embarqmail.com
CHAPTER SHIRTS
Chapter 62 has two styles of T-shirts available, if you are
interested please
contact Danny Whitten.
He has these available for purchase at the meetings.
They are $15 each
Parts and Supplies
New Bensen/Brock Rotor Blades
B&B
Rotor Blade Price List
July 9, 2012
Blades, either Bensen or Brock attach points
$1,295.00
Hub Bars: 25”, 36”, or 48”
Blades and Hub Bar Sets:; 21’, 23’, or 25’
Contact Roger Farnes at rotorsnradials@msn.com or (909) 519-4427
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 13
June 2014
For Sale
Classified are free, just send some pictures and a description along with your contact information to
mike484@aol.com and we will post whatever it is you have for sale, trade, or looking for.
Bensen Gimbal Head
Early style head that uses Heim bearings for pitch, rather than the solid blocks. I bought this straight
from Bensen, less than ten hours, new main bearing because of age. $400 Contact Jim Edwards at 479
-747-4323 or jimedwards200@gmail.com
Gyros For Sale
1979 Bensen B8M
90 Hp Mac with 15 hrs. since
complete rebuild, electric start,
CDI, differential braking,
strobes, rotor brake, adjustable
trim, 23' Sky wheels, set up for
280 lb. person, all Logs, built
by A&P, comes with airworthy
and N number. $6,500 or best
offer. Mark Spies, markhspies
@gmail.com or (713) 469-2462
Air Command
Modified Bandit airframe,
Rotax 582ul DCDI Model 99 with
electric start, 25 ft Dragon Wings,
high torque pre-rotator, 9 gallon
seat tank, RK Clutch on the Warp
Drive 68" 4 blade prop, EIS Model 2000 control panel, Rotor
Brake,
Shine plated muffler, am asking
$15k but will consider all reasonable offers. Rex Byrns, 361-6554987, .
center line thrust, HKS 65 HP
oil cooled engine very low
hours, 64 in warp drive
ground adjustable prop, Ken
Brock rotor head, no prerotator. Has fly wheel on rotor
head. No brakes, has a set of
24’ Rotor Dynes new still in
box, 12 gal seat tank.
$8,000.00 or best offer! Contact Don Bouchard 979-7775166
Southwest Rotorcraft
Page 14
CLT Air Command
Asking $6,000 or best offer.
Contact Ed Moreland at 832496-7306 or
emreland55@gmail.com
Snowbird Avenger
Tandem Gyroplane Kit
Has a Honda Cam engine
with Mikuni carb. 115 HP.
$16,500.00
Contact Mark at 225-9363527 or mmcdonner@bellsouth.net
June 2014
RAF 2000
Aggressor, Plans Built
Bensen
Subaru 2.2 Carbureted, 30Ft
RAF Rotors, Built in 2006, Cabin Heat, Pitch and Roll Trim,
Belt Driven Pre-Rotator, Carb
Heat, Rotor Tach, Engine Tach,
Altimeter to 20,000 Feet, Air
Speed Indicator. Reduced to
$29,500.
27’ Dragon Wings, 1982 1.8
Turbo Bratt engine, Tennessee
prop, Aggressor air frame. Also
have a 2.2 Legacy engine included. $8,000 Gyro is located
at the PRA headquarters in
Mentone.
Bensen, has the McCullough 72
just put a new cylinder and piston and rings and a starter kit on
it also 10ft 3 in rotors with a 24
inch hub bar. $5,500, may have
a small trailer to throw in if needed, ready to fly. Contact Hoppy
at 512- 488-2440
Contact: Thom Francis, email
thomefran@netscape.net,
phone 870-403-2888. Located
in Gurdon Arkansas
Contact John at johngillmore1959@yahoo.com or
317-840-2697
For Sale by Ron Menzie
KB3 that I have had for several
years. has about 350 hrs. Rotax
532, pre-rotator, hydraulic front
disc brake, rotor brake, dragon
wing rotors, built in prop balancer. This is a true ultralight, I
think its empty weight is approximately 248 lbs. $10,000.
Southwest Rotorcraft
Air Command for sale is quite
new with a 148 hours total. It
also has a flex shaft prerotator, hydraulic main wheel
brakes, rotor brake and its
power is a 503 Rotax, pull rope
start. $11,000.
Page 15
Also have one more RAF, Fuel
injected Subaru, 350 hours
total, has never been damaged. $24,000.
ronsgyros@gmail.com, (501)
766-6456, ww.ronsgyros.com.
Located in Searcy Arkansas
June 2014
TRAINING
TEXAS
LOUISIANA
ARKANSAS
James Chowns
Bastrop, LA
James trains in a tow
glider at the Morehouse
Memorial Airport (KBQP)
in Bastrop. This is a great
training aid for anyone
just entering training in
gyros. This was the way
training was done before
the two place trainers.
gyrochowns@yahoo.com
OKLAHOMA
Paul Patterson,
Edmund Oklahoma
Paul trains in a modified RAF at the Guthrie/
Edmond Geoport (KGOK). His RAF includes
both a stabilator and a horizontal stabilizer.
405-826-8443
PaulPatterson1@cox.net
GEORGIA
Henry Foster
Trains at the Olney Airport in a Modified RAF, a SparrowHawk, and an Air
Command
hsf66@yahoo.com 214– 692-0727
ARIZONA
Proper training is the best money spent.
Southwest Rotorcraft
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June 2014