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Blue Skies Gyros

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR NOW OFFERING 

Sales, Service, and Training

Where dreams of flight become reality.
Craig McPherson, CFI  
(817) 517-3283  Blum, TX 

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WHAT IS IT?  Frequently Asked WHERE DO I GET TRAINING?

It's a gyroplane.   Some say gyrocopter, Come see us!   Craig McPherson is a
autogyro, or just gyro, but to the FAA, it is a Questions Certified Flight Instructor with over 3,000
gyroplane.   Autogryros are the invention of hours in gyroplanes.
Juan de la Cierva in 1923.    
  IS IT A KIT?   
Nearly a forgotton technology, gyroplanes Yes.   Despite the worlwide  popularity of
have regained new popularity around the gyroplanes,  the FAA categorizes
world thanks to manufacturers like AutoGyro  gyroplanes  as experimental in the USA. 
GmbH.   
  IS IT DIFFICULT TO BUILD? 
IS IT SAFE?  No, they are not complicated to build, but
Auto Gyro's gyroplanes will not stall or spin. In AutoGyro does require you to use the
the unlikely event of an engine failure, you Builder Assist Program. 
can easily glide down and make a gentle  
landing under full control.  All you need is an WHAT IS THE BUILDER ASSIST
area about the size of a tennis court as there PROGRAM? 
is almost zero rollout.   We guide and assist you through the
  process of building your gyro to
CAN I FLY ON A WINDY DAY? ensure your aircraft is built to
Absolutely!   The gyroscopic nature of the AutoGyro standards.  
aircraft makes the ride smooth and stable,  
even in windy or turbulent conditions. You HOW SOON CAN I GET A KIT?
can be flying on a windy afternoon when Anywhere from 12 weeks or longer
most fixed wing planes are grounded.   depending on  model and factory
  schedules. 
IS IT DIFFICULT TO FLY?   
No, but get professional training from a HOW MANY AUTOGYROS ARE FLYING?
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).  Most students In the USA, more than 60.   Worldwide
are ready to solo in 15-20 hours.   about 2,000.  Auto-Gyro GmbH produces
  about 300 aircraft per year. They recently
CAN I TEACH MYSELF TO FLY IT? added another 60,000 square feet to their
Absolutely not! For your safety and the safety factory and hired more workers to meet
of others, get professional instruction for a demand. 
successful and pleasant experience.   
 
DO I NEED A LICENSE TO FLY A GRYO?  
Yes.  At minimum you will need a Sport Pilot -  
Gyroplane privilege. The main restriction on a WHAT ABOUT LONG TRIPS?
sport pilot license is no night flight. Since Gyroplanes can go up to 100
  mph and can stay airborne for 4-5
CAN I ADD ON TO MY EXISTING LICENSE? hours, long trips are definitely
Yes,  but every pilot is unique in apptitude and possible.  
experience. The amount of time varies for  
transitioning to a gyro. The average is about WHAT IS THE APPROXIMATE COST
10-15 hours.  WHAT ARE  THE MAIN DIFFERENCES TO OPERATE A GYRO?
  BETWEEN A SPORT PILOT LICENSE AND We recommend you budget around
DO I NEED A MEDICAL TO FLY A GYRO? A REGULAR PILOT LICENSE? $30 per flight hour.  This should cover
No.  Gyroplanes are considered light sport Sport pilots only require 20 hours of all expenses including fuel, service
aircaft and therefore all you neeed is a valid training  and are restricted from night and regular maintenance. 
driver license as evidence of medical flying.   Private pilots require 40 hours of 
eligibility.  training, a medical,  and are permitted to
fly at night.  

Consider this:  If you fly a gyro at 100 mph for one hour your approximate cost is $30.  If you
drive your vehicle 100 miles, your approximate cost is 57.5 cents per mile (per the IRS business
use rule in 2015) so your 100-mile road trip cost about $57.50, took longer than one hour, and
wasn't nearly as much fun!  

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WHAT IS THAT  BICYCLE SPROCKET DOING
UP THERE?
First of all, it is not a bicycle sprocket!    This
carefully engineered gear is part of the pre-
rotator mechanism. It is used to start the
rotor spinning prior to takeoff and to brake
the rotor after landing.  

Food for thought:   During flight, the

rotorblades are  in autorotation   which
means they are not powered by the engine.
This is one thing that  makes gyroplanes
different, safer, and less expensive to
operate and maintain than helicopters.  

CAN I USE AUTOMOBILE FUEL IN THE GYROPLANE?  

Yes!  In fact  we recommend premium grade auto fuel in the Rotax
engine. You can also  use 100 low lead from the airport  (and pay
extra). If you use  the recommended premium auto fuel,  your oil
changes will be done at 50 hours instead of 25 hours as with 100 LL.
 

Do you have an unanswered question?   Give us  call!  

(817) 517-3283

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