| Welcome
to Issue #39 of our web site update column. We appreciate your interest
in Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (GBA) and our aircraft. Although
emphasis over the last few issues has dealt primarily with the progress
and success of the SparrowHawk, GBA continues to promote the use
of our Hawk 4 Homeland Defenderô Gyroplane in governmental (Public
Use Market) applications. Our Gyrodyne concept aircraft continues
to be a topic in the aviation media and has drawn interest from
the aerospace industry. You can be automatically notified of new
issues of Hawkís Nest, News Releases and web site updates by clicking
here on "Contact Us"
and following the easy directions. We invite you to enjoy the many
informational aspects of our comprehensive web site.
PRA
& EAA EVENTS SUCCESSFUL FOR AAI
American Autogyro of Seattle, WA recently attended the Northwest
EAA Fly-In and Sport Aviation Convention at Arlington, WA Airport.
AAI also exhibited at the Popular Rotorcraft Associationís (PRA)
National Convention and Fly-In at Mentone, IN and at the Experimental
Aviation Associationís (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Congratulations
to Dan Reagan of American Autogyro of Cincinnati, OH, who won the
Grand Champion Two-Place Gyroplane award at the PRA Fly-in with
his SparrowHawk prototype. SparrowHawk sales at the events pushed
the total to over 50 aircraft sold. Over 150 people took an Introductory
Flight Lesson, offered in conjunction with both events, and had
great fun experiencing the safe, stable flight characteristics of
the SparrowHawk. Interest in taking gyroplane flight lessons was
very high at all shows. Many of our AAI Dealers have SparrowHawk
or SparrowHawk Prototypes (stability augmented RAF2000) and Certified
Flight Instructors available for training. For more information
and to find the nearest dealer in your area, please click here on
"AAI
Dealers."
The SparrowHawk attracted the interest of many at AirVenture
2004. |
Terry Eiland, AAI of Crystal River, FL, with student on
introductory flight lesson. |
Dan Reagan's award winning SparrowHawk Prototype at PRA
National Fly-in. |
THE
SPARROWHAWK & THE NEW FAA LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT RULES
The sport pilot certificate is a new pilot certification category
created by the FAA as part of its new Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
rule that is expected to go into effect by year's end. This "sport
pilot" portion of the rule specifically addresses the desire
of individuals wishing to fly aircraft primarily for recreational
purposes by relaxing medical requirements for such pilots. When
the rule is effective, a sport pilot's only medical requirement
will be possession of a valid U.S. driver's license, provided no
official denial or revocation of medical eligibility is on file
with the FAA. As the rule is intended for recreational pilots, a
sport pilot will only be permitted to operate in daytime, visual
flight rules (VFR) in an aircraft with a maximum gross weight (MGW)
of 1,320 lbs or less. We are pleased that a sport pilot with a rotorcraft
gyroplane endorsement will thus be permitted to operate a SparrowHawk
gyroplane provided the aircraft was originally and continuously
certified and placarded at a MGW of no more than 1,320 lbs.
Gyroplanes,
while included in the definition of "Light Sport Aircraft,"
will not initially be eligible for issuance of LSA or ELSA (Experimental
LSA) airworthiness certificates. When the FAA first submitted the
proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the gyroplane
community had not reached a consensus on "stability and performance"
as required by the FAA. Subsequently, however, a stability and performance
consensus standard has been established and submitted to the FAA,
who have stated that inclusion of gyroplanes would be considered
when a consensus was reached. We will keep you informed of the FAA's
progress on this issue.
For
detailed information on the new LSA/ELSA classifications, please
click here on "Sport
Pilot" to visit the EAA Sport Pilot website.
AVIATION
HISTORY AUTOGYRO ARTICLE
The September issue of Aviation History magazine features
a wonderful article, "From Autogyro to Gyroplane" written
by Dr. Bruce Charnov, author of the acclaimed book by the same title.
From the article "Given the enthusiastic reception of the
Hawk series, it seems likely that the Groensí design will continue
to find success in the market. That would mean that the Autogiro,
in its newest gyroplane configurations, could achieve an acceptance
that has been elusive since the PCA-2 took to the air."
The PCA-2 was one of Harold Pitcairnís successful autogyros from
the 1930's. Copies of the magazine are available at your favorite
newstand.
SPARROWHAWK
APV TO BE OFFERED IN INDIA
Mr. Poonam Asthana has been authorized by GBA/AAI to officially
promote AAI and the SparrowHawk APV (Aerial Patrol Vehicle) Gyroplane
in India. Mr. Asthana will be working closely with the AAI Sales
Department in bringing notice to the appropriate governmental authorities
in India the particular advantages of the two-seat SparrowHawk in
its APV role. The SparrowHawk APV, a fully assembled gyroplane specially
equipped for military/law enforcement missions, offers a safe and
economical platform for aerial surveillance. Mr. Asthana joins Mr.
Kim of Korea and AAI Dealers in Russia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Costa
Rica, Canada and the Bahamas in promoting the SparrowHawk worldwide.
TAKING
STOCK OF GBA
Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. is a fully reporting, publicly traded
corporation, listed on the OTC Bulletin Board as GNBA at any Stock
Brokerage Company. Investment information including stock reports,
Market Makers and SEC annual and quarterly reports are accessible
on or through our web site by clicking on Investment.
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