A (Truly) "Next-Generation" Autogyro Takes Flight
Groen Brothers
Aviation, Inc. has told ANN of the maiden flight of its SparrowHawk
Gyroplane, designed and manufactured by their wholly owned
subsidiary American Autogyro Inc. (AAI). The SparrowHawk, an
enclosed, centerline thrust, two-place kit-built gyroplane, is
a dynamically and statically stable aircraft that
provides great safety advantages.
"Based upon GBA's years of experience in aircraft structures and
flight stability and control, and the several months and hundreds
of fleet hours of flight time of AAI stabilization modified
aircraft, we are comfortable predicting that 'There will be no
safer kit-built aircraft,'" said Jim Mayfield, President of AAI.
The large two-place cabin with a width of 44 inches, more than 4
inches wider than a Cessna 172, provides great visibility and
comfort for the pilot and passenger.
Jim Mayfield, the President of AAI and GBA's Chief Test Pilot
and principal designer, said, "The SparrowHawk in flight handles,
as was anticipated, very well. During the first flight basic
handling qualities were quantified and found to be within predicted
limits. We are excited about offering the aviation community a
gyroplane with this level of engineering excellence coupled with
unparalleled safety. The centerline thrust design, incorporating a
generous horizontal stabilizer, ensures stability and increases
safety. I believe that most pilots will find the SparrowHawk fun
and easy to fly. I'm also proud to announce delivery of the initial
components of SparrowHawk kits to many of our AAI Dealers who have
already begun manufacture and assembly. The input of their
experience will help ensure a satisfying and pleasurable experience
for our current and future customers who build this aircraft. I
speak with pride on behalf of all GBA/AAI employees who have worked
so hard to make this project a reality."
GBA, recognized as the
leading authority on the subject of autorotative flight, created
AAI a year ago to develop and market a kit built gyroplane. AAI was
to showcase GBA's technical expertise in the development and
delivery of an affordable and easy to build kit. "All that we've
learned during the design, development, building, and flight
testing of our other aircraft, including the four place Homeland
DefenderTM Hawk 4 Gyroplane, the world's first turbine powered
gyroplane, has been utilized in nearly every aspect of the
SparrowHawk" said David Groen, GBA President and CEO. "From the use
of computer aided drafting and complex stress analysis programs, to
performing hundreds of hours of prototype flight testing, and
through the inclusion of many improvements, the SparrowHawk
embodies our belief in the potential for this long overlooked form
of flight."
AAI plans on flying the SparrowHawk at the upcoming PRA (Popular
Rotorcraft Association) Bensen Days fly-in and the Lakeland
EAA fly-in, both held during April near Lakeland, Florida.
This summer, many AAI dealers plan on bringing their completed
SparrowHawks to the annual International PRA convention held every
July in Mentone, Indiana. The SparrowHawk prototype was given the
Best New Design award at last year's event. Following Mentone, AAI
will again have a presence at the EAA annual AirVenture Air Show,
an event attended annually by almost a million visitors and
participants.
The SparrowHawk is also being offered as a fully assembled
aircraft designed specifically for aerial observation. The
SparrowHawk APV (Airborne Patrol Vehicle) model offers unequaled
low cost aerial observation capabilities to both US and
international government agencies. Depending on the final rule
definitions, the FAA's upcoming Sport Aircraft category may allow
the SparrowHawk, as a completed aircraft and/or a kit-built with
minimum assembly requirements, to service effectively what is
expected to be a huge market. In addition, the anticipated FAA
Light Sport Pilot requirements should further expand the market for
the SparrowHawk.
In addition to its SparrowHawk, AAI designs and produces
stability augmentation kits for other manufacturers' kit built
gyroplanes.