Aircraft Designs To Hold Gyro Design Class May 14

Aircraft Designs, Inc., the firm of aero-mechanical engineer Martin Hollmann, will hold a one-day gyroplane design class on May 14, 2005. "Using a PC, Windows 2000/XP, you will go thru the steps of designing a gyroplane," the company said. The class is very dependent on computer calculations; but all the computer programs from Modern Gyroplane Design, 3rd Edition, are included, as is a workbook. This latest edition of Modern Gyroplane Design adds a new co-author, Dr. Eric Hollmann, Martin's son, who shares his interest in gyroplane aerodynamics.

Martin Hollmann has been designing gyroplanes for over a quarter century. He designed the Sportster, the first successful two-seat side-by-side gyroplane, and the Bumble Bee, the first Part 103-legal ultralight gyroplane. He still makes plans and support available through Aircraft Designs, Inc. He has also designed other aircraft, including the Stallion kit plane.

Students will examine performance, loads, stability and control, and detail design of such critical subsystems as landing gear and rotor blades. According to the Hollmanns, this is the first and only class in the world on gyroplane design.

A wide range of other classes is offered throughout the year, and the Aircraft Designs website has a number of gyroplane theory and practice books for sale, including a reprint of groundbreaking work by Juan de la Cierva, the inventor of the gyroplane.

Lunch is included in the $395 cost of the class, which will take place from 0900 to 1700 Saturday, May 14 in Monterey (CA).

FMI: www.aircraftdesigns.com