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By Mr. Bill |
I would like to thank Mechanic Derosier for writing this
column while I was enjoying the Sun n' Fun of Florida. Last year
I attended the Popular Rotorcraft Association's fly-in at Wauchula, Florida.
I told myself that if I found a VW powered gyrocopter I would get it.
Well during this years visit I found it. Great?!? Now what? I waited
a week to really think this out. It wasn't until we "christened" the new
hangars last month that I realized that I had nothing to put
into the hangar. Nothing to take to schools or parades. Well like we often
do about a purchase, we talk it out with several other of our crazy friends
about the pros and cons. I have written before about making sure
that all the parts are there, that there is a builders log and/or some
pictures of parts being  assembled.
You want to make sure that you fit in this machine, that you can
haul it to your "hangar". If it is not licensed you will need to do 51%
of the construction and apply for a Repairman Certificate for that airship.
Or have an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic be kind enough to sign off
the yearly Condition Inspection. (This may be hard to find because if
you bust up the fore mentioned airship the FAA could suspend the A&P
Certificate of that individual that signed it off causing him to lose
his full time job for awhile). The big thing that I wanted to emphasis
is the safety. Many gyrocopter accidents occur on the first flight. Now
a days that should not happen because there are two seat trainers. So
what to do? Get training. I truly would not have attempted this unless
there was training available near by. The man selling me the parts interviewed
me to assure himself that I would get training because he wanted
things to go right. So I will be attending the Farrington gyrocopter school
in Paducah, KY for as much training as is needed. I hope to give Ken Brock
a run for his money. |