Sport Pilot Talk

tadel001 · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 251

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6TzkJk_fM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Good use of aviation assets, and good publicity for GA. Two questions:

(1) Are there any S-LSA gyrocopters?

(2) Where the hell is Tomball?

dstclair · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 212 Location: Allen, TX

Quote: (2) Where the hell is Tomball?
Deep in the Heart of Texas :D

Call it a northwest Houston suburb.

jeepinbanditrider · Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 21 Location: T67

They have a bunch of "coverup" videos on the right of the page that are popping up :shock:

cvlngineer · Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 10 Location: Central Texas

tadel001 wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6TzkJk_fM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That would be a fun job!

CenTex Flyer · Joined: 21 Jun 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Central Texas

drseti

Google David Wayne Hooks Airport, or look up KDWH. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can find in Tomball, Texas.

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

Whenever I see those things I can't help but to think of Mad Max...

jeepinbanditrider · Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 21 Location: T67

ibgarrett wrote: Whenever I see those things I can't help but to think of Mad Max...

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

Yup - that's it...

jeepinbanditrider · Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 21 Location: T67

I've watched that movie many times and I never noticed till I started looking at various websites that there are pictures of half naked or naked women on the vertical stabs. From what I've found they were Playmates of the month/year at that point in time.

Daidalos · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 137 Location: KHWV

drseti wrote: Good use of aviation assets, and good publicity for GA. Two questions:

(1) Are there any S-LSA gyrocopters?

(2) Where the hell is Tomball?

There are many LSA Gyrocopters some with fully enclosed cabins. But you do need a rotatory gyro copter license it's not just an endorsement.

EDIT: You can even go lighter and get an Utra Light Helicopter - no license required http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/index.asp

ka7eej · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 177 Location: Taylor, Az

There may be SLSA Gyros available or available soon that would only need an endorsement from another Sport Pilot license.. check out this link and scroll done to LSA version ..

http://www.sportcopter.com/Gyroplanes/SportcopterII/tabid/133/Default.aspx
Check it out!!!
Brian

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Now you're talking! If they can produce an S-LSA version, I can really see one at my flight school. Yeeeee-Ha!

Barnstorm · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

S-LSA gyroplanes are not currently available but they are expected to be approved someday by the FAA. Requests have been filed.

E-LSA gyroplanes are available. They can be flown with 2 people on board by a pilot with a valid Sport Pilot license, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane.

Experimental gyroplanes are common. If they meet LSA specs they can be flown a pilot with a valid Sport Pilot license, Rotorcraft-Gyroplane. If the operating limitations allow they can be flown by a pilot with a non-Rotorcraft-Gyroplane license solo but this is greatly frowned upon unless you have at least progressed to a solo sign-off by taking training with a gyro CFI.

A Sport Pilot gyroplane ADD-ON to a Fixed Wing or other pilot license is relatively easy to do.

1. Take training from a gyro CFI to proficiency. (typically about 3 hours if the pilot is current and the gyro is a stable design)

2. Take a proficiency check (note this is not a DPE or PE check ride) from another gyro CFI.

If you 'pass' the proficiency check you are now legal as a Sport Pilot Rotorcraft Gyroplane.

More information here: www.PRA.org

Note: The word "Gyrocopter" is a brand name owned by Bensen Aircraft Co. Most gyros flying today are not Bensens and therefore not 'gyrocopters'

Calling all gyros 'gyrocopters' is like calling all high-wing small GA aircraft "cessnas". Sure the general public gets caught calling Piper Cubs cessnas but you won't impress a Cub pilot by doing so.

The FAA term for these aircraft are Gyroplanes. A poor name IMHO. However, it is the proper and offical name to use when discussing regulations and licensing.

The inventor of all Rotorcraft invented these aircraft and he called them Autogiros (Autogyros) and that the most proper name to use when not discussing FAA rules and licensing.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Barnstorm wrote: A Sport Pilot gyroplane ADD-ON to a Fixed Wing or other pilot license is relatively easy to do.

Thanks for outlining the process. The missing link, as I see it, is that with no S-LSA gyroplanes (my bad for calling them gyrocopters), it's going to be impossible to rent something for the required instruction and checkout.