“This is a real prehistoric monster in flight,” declared Jack Tiffany of Spring Valley, Ohio.

Tiffany, co-owner with Jim Hammond of Yellow Springs, Ohio of the Pitcairn PA-18O. “Once the helicopter was built, these autogiros became dinosaurs.”

According to Tiffany, Pitcairn N1267B (c/n G-65) is the only known example of the type flying in the US.

“It is a bizarre feeling (to fly it), especially the first time; it was like being swept off the ground by a giant pterodactyl,” explained Andrew King, its test-pilot. Others have been known to call the “fling ceiling fan.”

In 1929, after creating quite a successful line of rugged mail planes, Harold Pitcairn gambled on the future of the autogiro. Buying the exclusive U.S. production rights from Juan de la Cierva, its inventor, he established the Pitcairn Autogiro Company, later to become the Autogiro Company of America, in Willow Grove, Pa.

Based on La Cierva’s work, Pitcairn’s first autogiro, the PCA-1, was a larger, more rugged aircraft with a more powerful engine than earlier Cierva models. An updated version, the PCA-2 was offered shortly thereafter, its $15,000 price tag seriously limiting its commercial potential.

Designed to be “every man’s autogiro,” the PA-18 was a smaller machine, accommodating a pilot and his passenger in tandem. Powered by a 160 HP Kinner B-5 engine, 19 were sold in 1932 for the still hefty price of $6,500.

Built in 1932 at the Willow Grove factory of the Pitcairn Aircraft, Inc., N12678 - now N1267B - became the personal aircraft of Harold Pitcairn. He flew it until it was sold in 1935 to Anne Strawbridge, of Philadelphia.

Having a deep fondness for the little machine, she refused to sell the Pitcairn to the Pitcairn-Larsen Company so it could be converted to PA-39 specifications for use by the British military under the lend-lease program. Her decision saved its life.

In 1942, four of the seven earmarked for the Royal Naval Air Service were lost when the ship carrying them was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in the North Atlantic.

The PA-18 eventually found its way into Al Letcher’s collection, stored in the Mojave Desert, and resurfaced in the late 1990s. Tiffany ended his life-long quest for an autogiro when he acquired it in 1999 for $65,000.

“It was a basket case,” he said. “Everything from the upper longeron up was gone, stolen or destroyed. Finding the parts was a real treasure hunt.

“We just sent out for pieces all over the country and in Canada, as we knew that four had been crashed prior to losing all the other examples.”

In 2008, after eight and a half years of efforts by Tiffany’s Leading Edge Restoration team in New Carlisle, Ohio, the Pitcairn was ready for its first flight. Andrew King took it aloft on July 10.

King was the obvious choice for the job.

“I grew up around the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, so, I was always around antique airplanes since I was a little kid,” he explained. “I used to wash them, carry gas cans, stuff like that when I was small.

“When I was 16, I learned to fly at Hampton, N.H. in a Piper Cub. Over the years, I had a lot of opportunities to move around, meet people and fly different airplanes.

“I usually say that I am a soldier of fortune of antique airplanes,” he continued. “I have about 3,000 hours of flying time, most of it - about 2,800 - in vintage tailwheel planes.”

That became very handy when Tiffany asked him to fly the autogiro, he said.

For King, the first flight was “pretty anticlimactic.” That didn’t last long.

“The next day, I went to fly it again, and the pump fuel failed,” King said. “Fortunately, the engine quit about 1,000 ft from the ground and close enough to glide back to the airport.”

A later adjustment of the rotor blade angle ended up in their partial destruction, as well as some significant damage to the tail and rudder, which kept Leading Edge busy over the winter.

The Pitcairn was ready again in the spring of 2009 and King rediscovered the long forgotten intricacies of flying the unique bird.

“When you are at the end of the runway, you put in the parking brake, set the engine at 800 rpm, and then, you slowly engage the rotor clutch,” King explained. “When you get the rotor stable, you throttle up slowly to about 1,300 rpm. As you accelerate down the runway, the rotor accelerates to 120 rpm, and you lift off.

“Then you ease the nose down a little bit to get a 58 mph climb speed, with the rotor spinning at about 135 rpm. It stays pretty much the same throughout the flight.”

King said the autogiro “flies pretty well once you are above five ft off the ground.” The critical phases are the take-off and landings.

At cruise, about 65 mph, “it is pretty nice, and the ailerons work remarkably well. The first time I put the stick in the corner hard, the plane jumped like a BŸcker, and I was stunned,” he said. “However, at landing speed, they do not accomplish anything.”

On landing, you cannot allow for any drift, which means no more than two or three mph of crosswind component, he added. If you are drifting, you cannot open the throttle, as it makes matters worse.

“It is kind of top heavy and you could tip over,” King said.

“If you do it right, you can hover at about five feet, get the stick all the way back, and it would settle in a slow vertical descent, pop on the ground, roll 20 ft and stop.

In order to prepare for flying the autogiro, King went to see the legendary Johnny Miller, who had hopped rides in the very same Pitcairn in 1935. His comments were: “You’re gonna wreck it. I never knew a fixed wing pilot who could fly an autogiro without wrecking it.”

Despite that no-confidence vote, King mastered the craft and it’s still flying around Ohio. Last we heard, anyway.

Jerry Miller, a retired ATC specialist, always believed the critical word in flight service was the word, "service."

Throughout his FAA career, he enjoyed helping aspiring aviators understand the complexities of weather and NOTAM terminology. Every now and then an old timer needed an answer to one of the more obscure contractions the FAA took great pleasure in fabricating to confound pilots.

"FZDZB does not mean Freezing Lightening and Flying Barn Doors," Jerry says, "but it's certainly easy enough for anyone to believe these terms exist considering how baffling FAA contractions can be."

Over Jerry's career, he spoke with thousands of pilots and dealt daily with fledgling pilots, as well as expert aviators, who were seeking clarification and translation of aviation terminology. As a result, he created a series of books designed to translate aviation terminology quickly in a simple, easy to understand format.

As a commercial, instrument-rated helicopter pilot, Jerry understands the pilot's perspective, and employs this insight in formatting his books. Subject matter is broken down into smaller, more understandable pieces, which boost pilots' comprehension.

His books offer explicit examples written in plain language, which is clear, and to the point.

Even though Jerry's initial emphasis has been METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMs, he offers other simply written and easy to use books. One quick reference manual provides helicopter pilots with flight tips and techniques - an especially valuable resource for student helicopter pilots.

His most recent effort, "Preflight Weather Analysis Made Easy," derived from his experience as a pilot weather briefer, offers real world insights into how to proceed step-by-step through the preflight weather analysis process. Please visit his website, www.finditfastbooks.com for complete details about this informative series of books. Questions? Email Jerry at miller99@uplink.net or call him at 570-435-5349.

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Group 3's product or service isn't groundbreaking in itself, but there is a definite uniqueness to Group 3; a brand that includes flight instruction, rental of aircraft, aircraft management, tours and other commercial operations such as helicopter charter.

Group 3 delivers a consistent product. One thing that sets Group 3 apart is its commitment to its customers and employees.

Anyone can attest to the fact that everyone at Group 3 have a "Business First attitude" they are hands-on and it shows.

Group 3 recently announced the grand opening of its new pilot housing. The residential accommodations streamline and simplify lodging for out-of-state and overseas full-time Group 3 students.

In the Spring of 2009, the company fully renovated the three-bedroom two-bath house located on a quiet residential street in the Van Nuys Lake Balboa community just .25 miles from the school. Amenities include upscale furnishings, queen beds, central air conditioning and heating, modern appliances, flat-screen high-definition cable television, WiFi Internet access, a washer and dryer, a covered patio and garden.

"We're always looking for ways to enhance our customer's experience and take our services to a new level," explains Claudia Herrera, Vice President of Group 3 Aviation. "While our students have rated their experience with Group 3 consistently high, many found relocation taxing.

"So we're excited to now offer one-stop convenience for new full-time students." The company has already received positive feedback from summer tenants.

Founded in 1993 at the Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Group 3 Aviation is an FAA approved Part 141 flight training facility and a Part 135 helicopter charter service provider. Group 3 is VA approved for GI education benefits and SEVIS approved for M-1 Visa students, also a preeminent Southern California Sikorsky Global Helicopters Sales Center and FAA designated computer testing center. The company is a member of Helicopter Association International, Whirly-Girls International and the Better Business Bureau.

The fleet includes Robinson R22's, R44 Raven II's, Schweizer 300CBi's and Cessna 152, & 172's. For information, contact Group 3 Aviation at (818) 994-9376 or visit their website: www.Group3aviation.com

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Adventure Helicopters is a full service helicopter company specializing in tours, aerial photography, video and cinematography, as well as professional helicopter training.

AHT provides an unparalleled Helicopter experience over Southern California and its surrounding areas. Headquartered just north of Hollywood in Los Angeles (Whiteman Airport), AHT is also located in Orange County (Fullerton Airport), Branson, MO. and Sedona, AZ. and rapidly expanding into additional exciting tourist destinations.

AHT operates eight brand new helicopters: five Robinson R44's, two Robinson R22's and proudly operates an MD 520 Notar, which truly reigns supreme over the concrete jungle! Be one of the very few people in the world that have the privilege to rip and zip through the LA sky in this "Ferrari" of helicopters.

Aspiring pilots and certified pilots can take advantage of our training program. We currently have 10 CFII and over 30 employees.

At Adventure Helicopters, our goal is to produce excellent pilots who can grow with the AHT Family with guaranteed job placement. Turbine transitions are also available in the MD 520 Notar.

Adventure Helicopters is recognized as the premier Air Show Helicopter tour provider in the industry. AHT has been involved-with several air shows: American Heroes Air Show, Fly & Float Show, and Wings Wheels & Rotors Expo where AHT was presented with a Certificate of Excellence from Brigadier General James P. Combs.

Starting at the beginning of 2010, Adventure Helicopter Tours and a well known production company will begin taping a new reality show based on the highly charged and fascinating helicopter industry highlighting the day to day activities of the interesting characters involved in the industry.

Our goal is to be one of the largest and most innovative helicopter companies in the world fostering a reputation of safety and excellence. For more information call (818) 612-3676, (818) 896-7900 or see our website: www.AdventureHelicopterTours.com.

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Bravo Zulu International Ltd., announces the development of an aviation specific Batt-Recon system of lead-acid battery sulfation elimination machines.

This new battery maintenance system is a breakthrough in technology allowing for the first time, a commercially viable method to remove sulfate buildup on the inside of a battery's lead plates. This is possible because of BZI Laboratories mastery of "Pulse Width Modulation" (PWM) in the motion simulation business.

PWM generates high amplitude, low frequency electrical waves, providing a safe "ultra-sonic" type of cleaning action to the battery's internal plates. Unless the battery has internal damage, this process dissolves the sulfates and restores most batteries that were previously discarded, to a "serviceable" condition.

Typical results allow the battery to operate within manufacturer's specifications for additional year or more, depending on the battery, its operating environment and application. This machine is "Universal Machine" allowing it to work on most lead-acid types of batteries.

"Variable Power Pulse Technology" and "Multi-Channel" design allow this machine to de-sulfate and restore a large 4,000-pound forklift battery in about one hour, or the delicate finesse to de-sulfate and restore a small aircraft battery in 30 minutes. Typical aviation applications include lead-acid batteries in helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and even those expensive batteries in corporate and commercial jets.

Why is battery sulfation a problem in aircraft batteries? Level 1 sulfation occurs as a natural process of discharging a battery when the sulfur molecule in battery acid is transferred and attaches itself to the lead plates inside a battery. During the recharging process, not all sulfur molecules are forced back into the acid solution; those that remain are called Level 2 sulfation.

As battery sulfates increase, they reduce performance until you notice the battery no longer has the strength to start your aircraft. For more information about renting, purchasing or having service performed on your batteries, call 951-928-0595, or visit them on the web at www.battrecon.com.

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Kissimmee Air Museum, conveniently located in Central Florida at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, has expanded their flight operations to include Helicopter flights and instruction.

Warbird Adventures has been offering T-6 flights from the Kissimmee Airport since 1998. Their new operation, Kissimmee Helicopters, will be offering Primary, Instrumental and advanced Helicopter Instruction as well as time-building in the world's most popular helicopter, the Robinson R-44.

After a check-out with experienced instructors, the R-44 Raven I is available for solo rental.

Kissimmee Helicopters offers the entire spectrum of rotary flight instruction; Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, CFII and even ATP. Basic hourly rate for the R-44 is $335.00/hour.

Both flight and ground instruction is $40.00/hour. Economical block time is also available for $315/hour for 10 hours or more and $299/hour for 25 hours or more.

For those wishing to experience being a helicopter pilot for the day, introductory flights are available starting at $125 for a 15-minute hands-on instructional flight. A 30-minute flight is $199 and a 60-minute flight is $375, plus tax.

Kissimmee Helicopters is conveniently located at the Kissimmee Air Museum and Warbird Adventures flight ops on the Kissimmee Airport at 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34741. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Sundays from July through November. Log on to www.kissimmeehelicopters.com or call 407-847-7366 or mail to:fly@warbirdadventures.com for more information.

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By Cynthia Laddon Kaase

I recently approached Corporate Helicopters about some additional training in which I was interested.

As a newly rated instrument pilot in airplanes I was eager to add on my instrument rating in helicopters. My goal was to accomplish this in the minimum time required by the FAA as I was on a very limited budget.

To add to my challenge, I would be transitioning from the Schweizer 300 into the Robinson 44, a ship in which I had zero flight hours. After five hours of flying the R44 I was still having a tough time with basic attitude flying under the hood and my attempts at flying an IAP were abysmal.

At this point meeting my goals seemed next to impossible. Fortunately, Corporate Helicopters had recently added a FLY IT Flight Simulator to their already impressive fleet of helicopters.

With encouragement from the Corporate staff and a healthy dose of determination I set out to master the FLY IT Simulator. To my surprise, in as little as three hours training time in the sim, I was able to hold altitude, heading and airspeed in full IMC.

A few more hours had me flying holding patterns and instrument approaches within the PTS. My results in the sim were nothing short of remarkable, as was evidenced on my next flight in the R44.

With the help of Garner Shepard, my flight instructor and the FLY IT sim, I was able to attain all of my goals. I earned my Add -On Instrument Helicopter Rating with under 19 hours in the R44.

Of those, 15 hours were in simulated instrument conditions, the minimum required by the FAA.

Whether you are a student pilot just starting out, a private pilot working on an instrument rating, or a high time pilot looking for the thrill and challenge of "popping out" at minimums, I highly recommend you invest some time training with Corporate Helicopters in their FLY IT Flight Simulator. Don't miss this great opportunity to hone your skills, save money and have fun all at the same time!

Cynthia Laddon Kaase is CFI, AGI, Commercial Pilot Helicopter, Instrument rated, Private Pilot Airplane, Instrument rated Complex, High Performance, Tailwheel.

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Cynthia Kaase was the student who wrote the article, with Garner Shepard, full time company pilot for Corporate Helicopters, ATP, CFI, CFII also 135 in R44 and Bell206 JetRanger and LongRanger.

How old were you when you got bit by the rotor wing bug?

Was it when you started walking and could point to the sky at that strange thing suspended in the air? Or was it your retirement present to yourself to become a helicopter pilot?

Or are you somewhere in the middle? Doesn't matter, the fact is you like helicopters and that is exactly what Vertical Challenge is all about.

Pilots from across the United States will showcase their helicopters at the 11th Annual Hiller Aviation Museum's Vertical Challenge on June 19, 2010 in San Carlos, Calif.. This event illustrates the many different abilities of the agile aircraft.

"They come in so many different shapes and sizes and have such a variety of different tasks that they perform," said Willie Turner, vice president of Operations for the Hiller Aviation Museum. "The helicopter is kind of the unsung hero.

"They're the ones that fly in after the car crash and medivac to the hospital. They're the ones that fly head first into the fire that everyone else is running away from and when someone is stranded at sea in a storm that even grounds the birds, it is the helicopter that braves they way for the rescue," he added.

Helicopters are used for everything from traffic reports to cliff rescues to national defense. The Vertical Challenge will showcase the different functions of the helicopter with various demonstrations including fire fighting, Search and Rescue and many other types of helicopter functions. Returning to the show this year will be Otto the Clown Helicopter along with an appearance from the only Zeppelin in the United States, flown by Airship Ventures.

Vertical Challenge is the place to be if you like helicopters. If you or someone you know has a helicopter and would like to participate please contact the Hiller Aviation Museum (650) 654-0200 and visit the web site at www.hiller.org.

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Have you ever dreamed of flying?

How about pursuing a rewarding career as a helicopter pilot? Or maybe you just want to fly for pleasure.

Either way, Elite Helicopters can help make all your childhood dreams come true! Elite Helicopters offers training to land you a job in one of many fields like forestry and mining, as well as tourism, law enforcement and much, much more.

Helicopter pilots possess a unique and highly sought after set of skills that can be put to use in this high paying, exciting field. With "baby boomer" era pilots set to retire in the very near future, there will be more employment opportunities than there have been for many years.

Elite Helicopters offers special areas of instruction such as mountain training, long-line training and courses for pilots interested in working in aerial photography and filming. Our brand-new R-22 helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for many types of training.

We offer all levels of training for both new pilots, and experienced helicopter pilots looking to improve the quality of their resumes and add to their skill sets - from Private, through Commercial, IFR, CFI and CFII certificates.

Elite Helicopters offers its clients an introductory lesson for the special low price of only $99! This is the best way to see if being a helicopter pilot is the career for you.

And if you do choose Elite for your training needs, we can guarantee you the lowest price for the sought-after Robinson R-22 in Los Angeles!

Under the close supervision of one of Elite's top-notch Certified Flight Instructors, all of whom enjoy a perfect safety record, you'll take the controls and feel the rush that only flying a helicopter will give you.

Elite Helicopters' school is conveniently located in Van Nuys, CA, 15 minutes from Los Angeles. Call (877) 624-9242 or visit www.elitehelicoptertours.com.

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Carter Aviation Technologies of Wichita Falls, Texas has released updated information on their plans to commercialize their new Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) design.

The PAV prototype was introduced at AirVenture 2009 as a static display prior to moving into flight-testing. Carter is preparing for the next stage in the PAV release, a spokesman said.

Carter also announced they have signed their first Licensing Agreement for use of their Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C) Aircraft Technology. The agreement is with AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company.

The agreement is for a 40-year, exclusive use of Carter's technology in all government and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) programs worldwide. The agreement was signed on November 16, 2009.
`Textron Inc. also owns Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company and Lycoming Engines.

For Carter, commercialization has translated into expansion. In laying the foundation for expansion Carter has created two subsidiary companies - Carter Aerospace Development, LLC and Carter Air Vehicles, LLC. Carter Aviation Technologies will continue to handle all licensing of Carter's unique Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C) Aircraft Technology.

Carter Aerospace Development will transition to handle research and development programs for the company. Carter Air Vehicles is the new manufacturing arm that will produce pre-production and initial production aircraft for the civilian market.

The new PAV design is the second-generation aircraft to demonstrate Carter's revolutionary, Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C) Aircraft technology - a combination of rotorcraft and fixed-wing aerodynamics. It incorporates developments learned in seven years of flight-testing Carter's original prototype and newly developed automated controls and systems.

Carter said that transition of the companies began on October 1st, 2009, however, new websites, offices and contact information may take up to another 30 days to finalize. Transition information can be found on the Carter website: www.cartercopters.com.