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

Range Increased To 500 Miles

Vertical Aviation Technologies just recently completed the design of a 22 gallon auxiliary fuel system for the Hummingbird helicopter.  With this aux fuel system, range is increased to 500 miles.  The system is easily installed and was designed for use with the Hummingbird Heli-Camper to extend range to that mountain lake camping hideaway. The Hummingbird was introduced in 1991 and is the only four passenger kit helicopter that was previously FAA Certified. Used primarily for private use, it has been increasingly used around the world for commercial and business use. 

Aviators Sued By Local Residents For Aircraft Noise

On Tuesday, AOPA provided initial support to four Massachusetts pilots -- all AOPA members -- facing a lawsuit filed by a few residents. The suit alleges that the noise signature from the aerobatics performed by the pilots caused significant harm; they are seeking approximately $1 million in damages. The pilots are based at various airports, some 20 miles from the homes of the litigants. The four pilots face a lawsuit brought by a group of area citizens calling itself "Stop The Noise."