GyroSchool News

11 November 2011 - Cavalon at Stoke

The Cavalon was a huge success at Stoke airfield when it was introduced to everyone this week. Various pilots flew in for the event which was well attended and gave everyone a chance to sit in it as well as a close-up look at the superb engineering. The day got better as the sun came out in its full glory and allowed various flights in the Calidus for those interested in finding out what it was like to fly in the enclosed tandem aircraft. Build quality and outright styling will put both aircraft at the top of their game with little to match. The aircraft do not look dated and certainly remain head turners wherever you may fly into. It is good to see things advance and develop and we are happy to be part of this development.

19 August 2011 - Flying in France

We have finally received our exemption to fly in France. The DGAC have issued an exemption to fly a UK Gyro in France as a ULM under 'arrêté modifié du 23 septembre 1998' - which means in basic terms that a 500kg UK registered autogyro can fly legally in France as long as it flies legally with a max MTOW of 450kg. This stipulation forms part of your validation of a foreign airworthiness document / Permit to fly as issued by the DGAC. Cost for the exemption is 50 Euros.

3 August 2011 - 1st British Gyroplane Competition a huge success

After a lot of preparation, logistics and obtaining the Rule 5(3)b exemption from the CAA to fly low, the competition and fly-in at Damyns Hall Aerodrome on July 30th was an enormous success. 14 Gyroplanes arrived for the fly-in on the day in glorious sunshine with 10 Gyroplanes taking part in the competition. Many more spectators and supporters made the journey by car. As the airfield was very busy with Helicopter and fixed wing traffic, it was important for the organizers that safety was at the forefront and a thorough briefing was held beforehand. This was the very first time that the UK has seen any sort of competition for gyroplanes of all types and the response has been exceptional. The judges were judging on precision flying and precision positioning so all participants are to be congratulated for their efforts and enthusiasm in taking part. It was a joy to see so many Gyroplanes being flown and handled by their pilots in a professional and precise manner, whilst maintaining professional airmanship at a very busy airfield. The winners of 1st British Gyroplane Competition 2011 were: 1st Place: Phil Robinson, 2nd Place: Kevin Snell and in 3rd Place: Rob Slight – many congratulations from everyone and well done.

18 March 2011 - 1. Open Gyroplane Competitions & Fly-In 2011

It is official: The first open gyroplane competition are being arranged this year at Damyns Hall aerodrome EGML. We are very excited to be party to organizing it as this has never been done before. We are hoping for a nice turn-out with all sorts of different gyros participating and flying in. For those of you simply wanting to fly in to have a look, please do so - there is no obligation to part-take in the competition. Although support is a must, so we hope to see you there. Please register for this event by clicking on the competition entry tap and simply fill in the form. We look forward to seeing you there. Even if you do not have a gyro, do pop along in support. All the details including entry forms to the competition can be found here www.autorotation.net

11 February 2011 - Calidus G-OTTY

GOTTY GOTTY - GONE.... Autogyro flying, seat of the pants, open cockpit with the wind in your face, big flying suits with leviathan gloves and astronaut helmets to boot...that's what I am used to so I had my reservations when the Calidus came along trying to close it all up with that big shell of a canopy so naturally, I was a little skeptical .... It handles - just like a fun loving toy, it flies just like a airliner punching through the skies without deviation and it performs whatever you want with the lightest of touches on the control stick. To top it all, the enormous suit had gone, the oversized helmet had disappeared and the view is but almost the same as I have come to expect it from an open cockpit aircraft. It truly is a representative of what gyro flying is all about - however this one does it in an enclosed cockpit, quiet, with a heater and enough room for two passengers and then some. You see sometimes gyro flying is all about relaxing, and the Calidus does it, not only with class, but with a huge dose of punch in reserve when required, it does it all in style. What else can I say.....that's what it's all about ... well that's how it should be !!!