Here's the video clip. This has to be my all time favourite clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmOTpIVxji8

On a VPM gyro, we had just fitted new pre-rotator belts. I took off and didn't realise that the pre-rotator had not released, despite the pre-rotator handle being not engaged. I don't remember too much drama in terms of controllability problems, but do remember quite a whack coming from the back aft...

One gyro went down yesterday due to an alleged rudder failure near Pofadder: http://m.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/cont ... ot-escapes

Pilot ok.

Hey, thought I recognised my old gyro's registration. Would love to know what happened to my previous Sycamore with the same registration ZU-BPU. What's the story with the Trojan? Are they modifying old Sycamore's replacing the airframe, undercarriage, engine and modifying the canopy, or is a brand ...

That was my one that was sold to a Namibian. After having 4 gyro's and around 13 yrs of gyro flying, I have decided to take a sabbatical from gyro's for a short while. Gyro's are still amazing machines to fly. I'm having an identity crisis with my pseudonym on the forums, as I'm no longer a "FO" whi...

My happiest recreational flying days were flying my gyro with the trikes from Microland, flying with the orginal "A Team". Nothing so beautiful as flying when the sun is rising. Now, because I'm not limited by thermals, and wind (to an extent), I fly midday, when it's less perfect, but less enjoyabl...

Kiss and make up now.

Welcome to the Cape Eric. Such a scenic place to fly around.

Some photo's when Charlene flew down to the fairest Cape with her dad for the SAGPA AGM in 2008. I remember she told her fellow doctor colleagues that she was going to a "conference", not quite mentioning it was flying related. Good for her.

That's sudden and tragic. How terrible. That's Charlene the gynae it is? How ironic that a doctor should have a heart attack. May God comfort her family at this dark hour, and may he hold her closely in his arms.

Written in January this year:

FO Gyro wrote:What ANOTHER shame if the cause is powerlines. How many more will die by flying into wires if that was the cause? The thrill just isn't worth it.

Had a dog tag made up some time ago with the rubber edging. The rubber eventually perished, so one will have to replace this from time to time.

Did some glide approaches today at Stellenbosch. RoD at 60 mph is 1 000ft/min, and glide angle is around 1:5.

If one is 2 000ft agl, one would thus be able to glide 3000m, which is close to what Gyronaut suggested.

Does anyone know what the regs are for overlflying Robben Island? There is a strip there that is closed and prohibited, but is overflying there ok? If one climbs up to the bottom limit of the TMA (2000ft), one should be able to be within gliding distance of land.

I'm still dreaming of a true VTOL gyro that can perform a jump take-off. Maybe in the next 20-30 yrs I have left in aviation I might just see it still. Holding thumbs! Now that would be incredible to take off like a helicopter!