Bob, I'm with you on the Gyro, lost a real good friend two years ago by a gyro, great high time pilot, fell in on final from about 40 feet. JohnD
c) hours don't mean a thing if a) is not checked positive.
No demeaning of your friend, might have been mechanical or just absence of mind at the split moment.
see the Airbus landing accident a few months ago in Canada. 2 high time Captains - decided to land anyway, although way down the runway and fast too - they knew better, but probably can't put the finger on it WHY they still landed instead to go-around. When they figured it out it was too late.
A fellow in my neck of the woods was the representative and demo/test pilot for CASA. He crashed/died with his Aventura-amphibious experimental. Checking engine trouble, test flight, got too short - amen. He knew better than test a problem engine in the air, BUT .....??
Sometimes you get away and learn, sometimes it is ones time to go.....
Gyros are some of the safest vehicles around, BUT...
a) maintenance !!
b) proper training !!!!!!
Some are easier to fly than others, so learn it, don't skimp on the training, if you can't afford it, don't do it!
TJ
PS: Lynn, I am surprised you are so against gyros?
In your line of fun I suppose there is more danger than gyros, but sanction bodies would not allow anyone to race without the proper licence, or am I wrong here?
If the FAA would make it law that you need a TYPE-RATING for any ROTORCRAFT it would reflect the inherent safety in any of the current rotorcraft. Business interests dictate otherwise...
And I mean EVERY model - you go from a AS350 B2 to a B3 you need to get a certified checkout (type-rating).....
What would racers and team owners say if it suddenly would be legal to race with a general driver licence only (no more race school needed - here we go wannabees!)