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February Newsletter 2014In this issue:
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Hi
Welcome to the February 2014 Gyrocopter Experience Newsletter with gyroplane news, updates and information from the UK and around the world.
Gyrocopter training now available in Northern Ireland
The Gyrocopter Experience has expanded our network of flying schools to eight. The latest Gyrocopter flying school to open is in Carrickmore, Northern Ireland.
Gerard McAleer, who completed his instructor training course in York and then gained valuable experience working as a full time instructor at York during the Autumn of 2013 has 'spread his wings' and returned to his home airfield in Northern Ireland to realise his dream of operating his own Gyrocopter flying school.
During the official opening on the 1st of February 2014, Dan McCarten, the owner of Carrickmore airfield and C-more flying school said 'we are delighted to have Gerard working here. We have been flying Gyrocopters from our airfield for a number of years now and have developed a great community spirit. This means our flying school can offer both Microlight training and Gyrocopter training to enthusiastic student pilots in both Northern and Southern Ireland without the added expense of travelling to the mainland.'
You can contact Gerard on 07717 777077.
New Calidus for Gyrocopter Experience Devon
The Gyrocopter Experience in Devon is now able to offer training in the entire range of aircraft offered by the german manufacturer Autogyro.
Nick Wright, who twelve months ago only offered training in the popular MT03 open cockpit Gyro now also offers both the enclosed models of Gyrocopter - the Cavalon and, from February 2014, the Calidus.
Nick says 'The popularity of enclosed cockpit Gyrocopters is phenomenal and it has opened up Gyrocopter flying to a new group of people who want a more refined form of aviation. The Calidus is a very attractive machine to look at, and it has that 'jet fighter' type of cockpit. It is just a joy to fly.'
You can contact Nick on 07734 055791.
Instructor Class of 2014. Part 1 Completed
Look at all the smiling faces. This is a 'Gyrocopter Grin' of a different kind - it's the look of joy when the eight candidates in the 'Instructor Class of 2014' are told they have successfully completed part one of the Instructor course. Part one was held as 3 x 1 week courses between last November and February this year at the Gyrocopter Instructor Academy in York.
The candidates are now prepared for the second part of the course which involves practice at teaching each of the flying exercises in the entire training syllabus - to a course instructor who will act as a 'person who has never flown before' (and who will enjoy re-enacting all the common mistakes that a new pilot will make).
The first part of the course was held in the purpose built classroom at York. Learning the principles of becoming an instructor is best done as part of a large group and your peer students provide a useful audience for you to practice the nerve wracking aspects of standing up and briefing. The second part of the course is done in much smaller groups during the spring and summer months as it involves a lot of flying.
The progress of Richard, Colin, Phil S, Phil R, Clive C, Jim H, Clive R and Jim A will be reported during the year via these newsletters.
It is great to see these guys progressing and they will add much-needed capacity to the instructor community to cope with the ever increasing popularity of learning to fly a Gyrocopter.
First new pilot of 2014
Roger O'Kane became the first qualified pilot of the Gyrocopter Experience in 2014.
Roger completed his training in his M24 Orion G-CGRZ with Steve Boxall in Salisbury. Phil Harwood, who conducted his General Flying Test said 'It was a pleasure to fly with Roger and conduct his test. As an examiner, you generally know within the first few minutes whether the person is likely to pass or fail - with Roger it was an easy pass. Well done and we wish him lots of fun and safe flying in the future.''
Must Fly!
The Gyrocopter Experience Team