Gyrocopter Ownership Milestones

I wish I had this kind of list when I started. This list is compiled from my experiences, what others have counseled me, my reading. Probably, some of these things will not apply to everyone, and some people will likely have other things to add to a similar list of their own. I didn’t display this list as a time-line. Certainly, everyone will determine how much time each step will take, then develop and follow their own personalized schedule.

By the way, if you haven’t already, hook up with EAA.org and get a membership – they provide a TON of resources for people like you and me.

The FAA.gov website host countless online documents of importance to current and promising pilots. Outside suppliers have published some of them in book form. These are the books I purchased and studied – add to this list for yourself. Most of these I found on Amazon. Some them I found on Sportys.com or asa2fly.com. Make VERY sure you get ONLY the latest version of books and charts – they are updated all the time, and the FAA demands that you only refer to the latest edition. You will also find lots of regular pilot oriented literature that also applies to gyrocopter pilots on subjects like general aeronautics, weather, radio communications, airport protocol, airspace etiquette, etc.

· FAA FAR/AIM (an absolutely imperative resource book, referred to everywhere)

· FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (the first book you should read, cover to cover)

· FAA Sectional Charts and/or TAC’s (you will probably want more than one)

· FAA Chart Supplement (by region – you might need to have more than one)

· FAA Aviation Weather Handbook

· FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot

· FAA Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards

· FAA General Aviation Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning…

· ASA Weights and Balance Handbook

· ASA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide

· ASA Say Again, Please

· Gyroplane Handbook (there are lots of these out there)

· Pilot’s Log Book

· Aircraft Maintenance Log Book

And while you are shopping around, you might as well pick up a flight calculator, like the ASA CX-3, and a Rotating Plotter, like the ASA CP-RLX. You’ll need them in your knowledge studying and tests.

Some resources suggest you should begin flight school before ground school. I disagree. A CFI will be referring to nomenclature and principles that you really need to understand first, otherwise, the CFI will have to teach you stuff you should have already learned. There are a number of good ground schools (or also known as Aeronautical Knowledge training), for example, dauntless-soft.com and gyropedia.com. They are going to shovel a TON of information into your head, so make sure the one you pick goes very deep into explanations, not just Q&A. (I used Dauntless – Sport Pilot Gyroplane, and now I’m going through gyropedia.)

By the way, the FAA refers to a gyrocopter as a gyroplane. A gyrocopter is referred to as a “Light Sport” type of a “Gyroplane” class, in a “Rotorcraft” category. Remember this, you’ll hear and see this all over the place. And a gyrocopter pilot is referred to as a “sport pilot”, as opposed to a “private pilot”. Don’t confuse the two terms. There are all kinds of privileges and restrictions and sub-types, sub-classes, and sub-categories, not to mention the same for different kinds of pilots. Suffice it to say, a pilot and a gyrocopter are pretty much, near the bottom of the food chain. But I don’t let that get me down. I don’t want to fly at night, or in a thunderstorm. And I have no interest in carrying a bunch of paying-passengers or cargo-for hire, or any of the other list. I just do it for fun!!!

Here is a list of tasks I adopted in my journey to becoming a gyrocopter pilot. Again, your list may differ somewhat.

· Arrange for a home airport

· Find a trailer manufacturer/supplier (I’m going to park my gyro in a trailer, rather than in a hanger – it’s MUCH cheaper)

· Order a trailer

· Research insurance

· Study everything I can get my hands on

· Prepare for knowledge test

· Take practice tests

· Get endorsement to take knowledge test

· Signup for, take, and pass the knowledge test

· Receive LOTS of flight training, at least monthly, until I get my pilot certification and can go flying on my own.

· Determine the final gyrocopter purchase configuration to order

· Get a final quote

· Order the gyro

· Ultimately, flight lessons will include (15 hours minimum) – expect a LOT more than that.

· Build the kit

· Get an airworthy certificate from a DAR

· Get a student pilot endorsement

· Get a student pilot certificate

· Complete the 40 hours of Phase 1 flights

· At least, complete solo flights (5 hours minimum)

· Fly 2 hours with the DPE inspector in preparation for practical test interview and flights

· Take and pass 2-days practical test to get pilots license from a DPE

· Train, practice, get endorsements for:

o Proficiency in radio coms and Class D ATC’ed airspace – LATER!!!

o Carry passengers

o Plan and fly cross-country

· Transport the trailer to Texas

· Transport my gyro home

· Park my gyro at my home airport

· Continue practicing:

o Radio coms and visiting Class D airports

o Planning X-country trips

o Flying X-country trips

o All the test flight maneuvers