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Rotary
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 02/01/2006, 1:10 PM
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mikejh
Joined on 02/01/2006
Surrey
Posts 3
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Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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Hello all
Autogyros
I am a long term pilot-aspirant (ie one still trying to afford to learn !) with an equally long-standing interest in AUTOGYROS, ever since seeing a a documentary about Ken Wallis about 20 years ago.
I would be very interested to hear from anyone with experience of either training on and/or the buying of Autogyros here or elsewhere.
I'm aware of the Bensen history, and the current makers in the US such as Rotary Air Force and so on, and the new machine the Ultimate Flying Object from NZ. In the UK I'm aware of Jim Montgomerie - but he appears to be the only manufacturer in the UK ?
Re training, is Roger Savage the only UK trainer for autogyros ?
All comments much appreciated. For anyone who hasn't seen the above, here are a couple of links :
http://www.gyrocopters.co.uk/html/merlin_gts_autogyro.html
http://www.rogersavage.co.uk/info.htm
http://www.ufo-helithruster.com/ (isn't that the prettiest machine you've seen for ages ?)
PS Am I imagining it, or do Microlight clubs seem to make little mention even of the existence of the Autogyro - is it 'shunned' for some reason ? (and at the risk of being contentious, is it not surely the most sensible microlight design imaginable ?) M
PPS Just discovered the BRA - comments/advice still welcome though
http://www.gyroplanes.org/
PPPS Starting to answer my own question.. will continue to add what I find here as may be useful to others.
http://www.rotorsport.org/
Mike
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05/01/2006, 7:18 PM
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Steve@rotorsport.org
Joined on 05/01/2006
Posts 9
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Re: Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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Mike
Welcome to the world of Gyros! I'm pleased to see that you've found the RotorSport UK web site.
Chris Jones is currently running Roger's school up at Carlisle, and (as far as I know) is the only full-time Instructor in the UK. There are others around the country - perhaps if you could let me know where you live I could pass on a few names.
There are a few gyro types available. In the single-seat class there is the Bensen (Jim Montgomerie does kits for either an open-frame of podded type) or the Cricket (available either as plan or kit built).
As for 2-seaters there's the kit-built RAF 2000, or the factory-built MT-03 (from RotorSport UK). The MT-03 is making rapid progress through the UK approvals process, and the first UK customer machines will arrive at the end of March.
The UFO isn't approved in the UK, and there are no signs that it ever will be.
As with all things, the machine you choose depends on your budget and what you want from your aircraft. The BRA isn't a bad place to start, the magazine will keep you up to date with goings-on.
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15/01/2006, 2:54 PM
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mikejh
Joined on 02/01/2006
Surrey
Posts 3
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Re: Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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Thanks very much for your comments and the referral.
Good luck for 2006
Mike
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30/04/2006, 11:02 AM
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Mike H
 
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 21
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11/05/2007, 1:30 PM
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John Cox
Joined on 11/05/2007
Posts 1
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Re: Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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Hi,
I have been flying autogyros for about 10yrs, and own an RAF2000 ... which, incidentally, I need to sell ... you can see it at www.shortrunbookco.com/gyros. I have had instruction from Roger Savage .. but am only willing to give you my views on him via telephone 0033 55578 1774. Most of my flying instruction has been with Tony Melody 07956 447085. He is a sensitive instructor who is not doing it mainly for money ... though he does charge for his services. He is also a gyroplane inspector. I don't think you'll find anyone in the UK (other than Wg.Cdr Wallis) who knows more about gyros. He operates mostly out of Henstridge, though he lives in West London. He (and the current agent Mike Goldring) were the two people who first visited Canada and brought the RAF into the UK. Tony has been asked to all over the world (well I know of Spain, Thailand, Israel, Eastern Europe, South Africa and there may be more) by RAF to give instruction on RAF 2000s.
Best Wishes
JOHN COX
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06/07/2007, 9:19 PM
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raven
Joined on 06/07/2007
Posts 1
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Re: Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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John,
I would be interested in your views on the aformentioned instructor. I am currently looking to have my first trial lesson in an autogyro and I think a good instructor is as important for this stage as any other. Perhaps you could share your views to my personal email.
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21/08/2007, 9:22 AM
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Mike H
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 21
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Re: RAF shuts up shop in the US ?
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In case anyone hadn't seen it, I see RAF has (seemingly) shut up shop in the USA, with this short terse message on the homepage at www.rotaryairforce.com :-
"As of April 2, 2007, Rotary Air Force Marketing Inc. closes doors.
RAF no longer manufactures, markets or supplies any aircraft components."
The page redirects you to the South African site after a few seconds.
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09/09/2007, 7:28 AM
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JPHarrison
Joined on 09/09/2007
Posts 1
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Re: Can anyone comment on Autogyro training, purchase and ownership experiences ?
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Completely overhauled Air & Space 18A available for sale.
Details at www.gyroplane.aero
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