Gyro Mania

It is Saturday afternoon hot as hell and 25kt winds indicate no Paragliding for the day, with nothing else to do on the property, I decided to drive to the Manilla Skyranch.

Maybe today is the day I'll re-skin the wings on my GT500.

When I got to the Manilla Skyranch, which is only 15 minutes drive from my property, Willi tells me the MTO3 is in the Hangar and ready to go if I want to start Gyro lessons.

Perfect conditions for the Gyro, how can I resist?

MTO3 is a German designed and factory built Gyro with a Rotax 912 power plant, optional 914 turbo. Pre-rotator is powered by the engine. It looks as mean as an FA18 Hornet and flies like a humming bird.

Willi briefs me on the pros and cons of Gyro flying, lots of pros with very few cons. Flying in strong winds is a walk in the park. Wind gusts? Who cares about wind gusts in the MTO3.

The MTO3 is extremely stable, flying a gyro with no hands is not normally recommended, but in the MTO3 it is no big deal. As the old saying goes set and forget.

My love affair with Gyros started the first time I watched Mad Max 2, however, some years had passed before I got into Aviation. First I got my PPL then multi engine endorsement and night VFR rating. In 1995 I decided to venture into aerobatic flying.

In year 2000 I met Willi on Mt Borah (Manilla) where I spend a bit of time flying Paragliders. Willi talked me into completing a conversion course on Ultralights and the rest is history. In short I can fly pretty much anything that has wings and now without wings (Not much luck making broom sticks fly though).

First flight made me regret not starting Gyro flying sooner. If you are a fixed wing pilot you will find the transition easier than you think.

MTO3 flies just like a fixed wing with a bit more rudder input than what you might be used to. Take off needs a bit more work than a standard fixed wing and the landings can only be described as a dream. Try landing your fixed wing in a paddock the size of a tennis court.

Hovering like a helicopter in strong winds and flying side to side at zero air speed is unbelievable. To top it all of flying into the unlimited and unrestricted skies of Manilla was the icing on the cake. I am hooked and will continue to fly Gyros long into the future. No more sitting at home and complaining about bad weather, if the sun is up I can fly.

If you love your flying and want to add a new dimension to your adventure in the Sky, give Willi a call and take a TIF in the MTO3. I am sure you won't be disappointed. It speaks volumes when students come from as far away places as Tasmania to sign up for full time flying lessons at the Skyranch.

Nothing can match the fun of flying from a private airfield where you have at your disposal Gyros, Ultralights and Trikes.

Safe flying

Murat Winter