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Thread: Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

  1. #1
    KWAZY old Southerner... Duane Scarborough's Avatar
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    Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

    Since I'm the one who brought up the McColloch engines, I thought that I'd share these "instructional videos" with you guys.

    I almost wish that I hadn't even remembered the McColloch engines now.
    Don't worry, I am KWAZY, but not that kwazy.

    Those that remember the Benson gyrocopter should also remember Ken Brock.

    The Brock gyrocopter was very similar to the Benson. Both used the McColloch engines, and you couldn't tell one from the other at a distance.

    "Ken used these films to instruct his gyro students in the 1970's. Times have changed and dual instruction is now available. Self instruction can be very dangerous."

    I'm posting links to them here for your entertainment only.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb8FmjIWvP0&NR=1

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cx8oFQTWd4&NR=1

    Now can you even imagine building one of these yourself, and then trying to teach yourself how to fly it from these videos? Spooky idea, huh?

    Duane
    A KWAZY old Southerner... and darn PROUD of it.

    Airboat Pros MiniPro 116 / Frog Spit
    SS rigging - with side by side seating
    Teledyne 4A084-4 engine
    Solex H30/31 Carb
    Arrow Prop 1.73:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind 2 blade Mini Prop

    under construction

  2. #2
    Senior Geezer buster's Avatar
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    Re: Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

    Duane,

    That last sentence could also apply to an airboat In fact, come to think about it, it did, to me.

    I don't intend to watch your gyrocopter videos, just in case I would get "the bug".

    I often thought someone would have to be suicidal, or nuts, to fly one. I don't want to take the chance that it may be me!

    No offense.

    Dave
    IF YOU WON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, THEN JUST STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!

  3. #3
    KWAZY old Southerner... Duane Scarborough's Avatar
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    Re: Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

    Dave,

    I understand that. I had similar thoughts about how I'm going to be teaching myself to operate the Mini Airboat. One big difference is that I can swim, but I can't fly.

    When I was young and stupid , (I'm now OLD and stupid) , I thought that I wanted one of these. My Dad was a private pilot, and he convinced me that it was a BAD idea .

    I've seen these things fly, up close, and there is no way I'd try it.

    So getting the bug is not a problem for me.

    There are on-line videos of these things flying, taken from the pilot's point of view. Man, you talk about a scary ride.

    You should watch the videos anyway. They are very educational.

    Duane
    A KWAZY old Southerner... and darn PROUD of it.

    Airboat Pros MiniPro 116 / Frog Spit
    SS rigging - with side by side seating
    Teledyne 4A084-4 engine
    Solex H30/31 Carb
    Arrow Prop 1.73:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind 2 blade Mini Prop

    under construction

  4. #4
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    Re: Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

    Hey Guys,
    No offense taken, I added rotorcraft gyroplane to my ratings in 1993. The are definately a hoot to fly. Like any experemental aircraft there is a fine line between the leading edge and the bleeding edge of technology. Flying the aircraft in it's flight envelope, it is really guite safe. I also have a rotorcraft helicopter rating, there are a lot more things to go wrong with one of these. With the gyro you are always in autorotation, so if the engine quits you just drop the nose a few degreese and land as you normally would. I tend to stay on the ground a lot more now, as what use to be exciting has now become scary.

    John
    Harvest in circles

  5. #5
    KWAZY old Southerner... Duane Scarborough's Avatar
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    Re: Gyrocopter flying lessons ?

    av8or,

    No offense meant, and none taken.

    I know they have to be a real blast to fly. With proper training, I know it's relatively safe.

    If I was still young and stupid, I've HAVE to try it.

    But there were people that learned how to fly from those videos, in home-built machines.

    THAT is spooky.

    My Dad taught me how to fly in his old Stearman, and later the PA-18. They were a thrill, but couldn't have compared to a Benson or Brock home-built Gyro.

    I never got my license, but sometimes wish that I did.

    Duane
    A KWAZY old Southerner... and darn PROUD of it.

    Airboat Pros MiniPro 116 / Frog Spit
    SS rigging - with side by side seating
    Teledyne 4A084-4 engine
    Solex H30/31 Carb
    Arrow Prop 1.73:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind 2 blade Mini Prop

    under construction

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