Things are definitely shaping up for the Marysville Air Expo '99 in June. We will have 10 people there to set it up on Friday the 25th. Then Saturday is the big day. Ken Brock's performance will be the main event for us gyroplane enthusiasts. Scott Malone is also planning to come and may be able to give introductory ultralight lessons.
PRA Chapter 5 will have quite a line-up of machines on display. Our local CFI Gary Brewer will be there representing Rotary Air Force. Though it won't be flying yet, Tim's new RAF 2000 will be there as a static display. Mark's new Predator should be nearly finished or even flying by then, in addition to his trusty KB-2. Of course, most of the Chapter 5 Super Bandit gyros that we've lost count of will be there! And, there will probably be a few more miscellaneous gyros come out for the show. If last year is any indication, all these fine flying machines will attract a lot of attention from the huge crowd that will be there for the air show. It should be a fine day to promote gyroplanes and the PRA.
Well, the guys have been busy at work on their projects or flying. Troy got electric heated socks to go along with his new full-body flight suit and face mask. Now that's dedication! He sure loves to fly his machine and now he can go even if the air is a little nippy up there. Sure beats staying on the ground.
Troy has also done a fine job on his web page, The Gyroplane Experience (http://www.ncal.net/taylormade/gyroexperience.htm) with pictures of gyro pilots and their machines, both on the ground and in the air, some nice articles, pointers to other gyro sites and more. Definitely check it out if you have net access!
Mark's Predator airframe is back from the powder coaters and he is at work putting it all back together, but for good this time! It will be nice to see this machine with some paint on it.
As if being a CFI isn't enough to do, Gary is working on two gyro projects! He is finishing up his Barnett refurbishing project and has already begun working on his new RAF cabin. This will replace his older-style cabin and bring his main machine up-to-date. He is doing as much of the work as possible on the new cabin and dash now, before removing his old one, to minimize the downtime.
Tim has just finished up all the fitting, cutting and drilling on his fiberglass RAF parts. Now they will be sanded and primed before sending out to the paint shop. Doing the paint preparation work yourself can significantly reduce the cost of a paint job, if you can stand all that sanding!
Georgi has been doing some taxiing in his new Ultrabandit with the 503 Rotax. He still needs to do some more training with Gary before he goes flying, but he is getting there. Georgi is also getting a digipod unit from Ralph Taggert. We are looking forward to seeing this infamous instrument and learning more about it.
And finally, Joe's new HKS powered ultralight machine is all finished and should be at the airport by now. Initial flight test reports are likely to be in next month.
In other club news, the gyro glider kite is now gone and the Chapter 5 PRA patches should be ready in just a few weeks. Until next time, keep your rotors spinning, and have a great month.
The next meeting of P.R.A. Chapter 5 will be March 28, 1999 at 1 pm, Yuba County Airport, Marysville. Only 3 more meetings until Air Expo. See you there!