I have always liked the Snowbird. I got a picture at the PRA fly-in of one
in the air which looked exactly like a good air-to-air shot. I was standing
on the ground but the clouds in the background and an extreme amount of luck
produced a cover photo for the PRA magazine. If I ever lose my medical, I'm
going back to an ultra lite gyro that has just made it's appearance: The
Butterfly by Larry Neal. I watched him (no lite weight) put on a good show
and he said he never got beyond 1/2 throttle. He is quite religious and I
believe him. Larry is also the test pilot for the Carter Copter.
Stu Fields
"Badwater Bill" wrote in message
...

I agree that "Certification" should buy some reliability over non
certified
parts, but there is no real guarantee.
BTW I self taught in a Benson Gyrocopter in the 60's (no dual was
available)
So did my wife. We never bent anything or scratched a blade. The ship
is
as safe as the pilot is proficient and aware of the limits.

Man, you got that right. Keep your head and do it with baby steps and
the probability is that you'll make it. I fly my gyro all the time
and it's a Snobird pusher with the thrust line well above the CG. I
just keep my hand on the throttle and tell myself "Power is
destablizing...get the throttle off if she bucks on you." I ain't
dead yet, but that doesn't mean that it won't kill me if I do
something stupid.

BWB




Stu Fields
"Badwater Bill" wrote in message
.. .