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.

FMI: www.americanautogyro.com, www.gbagyros.com