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Welcome to Issue #47 of our web site update column. Thank you for your interest in Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (GBA) and our aircraft. You can be automatically notified of new issues of Hawk’s Nest, News Releases and web site updates by clicking here on “Contact Us” and following the easy directions. We invite you to enjoy the many informational aspects of our comprehensive web site.
AMERICAN AUTOGYRO INTRODUCES THE SPARROWHAWK III QUICK BUILD KIT
GBA has announced the introduction of their American Autogyro Division’s latest version of its SparrowHawk series of kit-built gyroplanes, the quick build SparrowHawk III. More than 100 SparrowHawks have been sold through American Autogyro’s national and international dealer network. “Our customers have always shared with us the pride they have in building and flying such a wonderful aircraft” said SparrowHawk Program Manager Devon Hansen. “For many of them, it had been their first attempt at building an aircraft. We wanted to reduce the build time and yet increase the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment throughout the build process. To achieve our goal, we concentrated on minimizing tasks and assemblies in critical areas such as the mast and keel assemblies, and flight controls. We also focused on areas that demanded large investments of time for the builder such as wheels, landing gear, and the composite cabin and tail assemblies.”
The new kit significantly reduces the time and effort involved and makes the build process a more enjoyable and satisfying part of the whole experience. Additionally, several critical areas of assembly where special tooling might be required, or mistakes by the builder could lead to compromising the safety of the aircraft, are now completed at the factory. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has evaluated the SparrowHawk III kit and determined that it qualifies to be included in the FAA listing of eligible amateur-built aircraft kits, which also eases the paperwork requirements of the build process for the builder. The SparrowHawk III reflects GBA’s more than two decades of gyroplane design and development experience. Please click here on “SparrowHawk” for more information.
FAA ADDS SPARROWHAWK III TO LIST OF ELIGIBLE AMATEUR-BUILT KITS
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has evaluated the SparrowHawk III kit and determined that it qualifies to be included in the FAA listing of Eligible Amateur-Built Aircraft Kits. The primary purpose of this listing is to assist FAA Inspectors/Designees and other interested individuals by eliminating the duplication of evaluations for “major portion” determination when the aircraft is presented for airworthiness certification as an “Amateur-Built Experimental.” All Amateur-Built/Homebuilt aircraft must be inspected and registered with the FAA before an Airworthiness Certificate can be issued. This fairly rigorous process is simplified for the builder if the kit has been evaluated and qualified by the FAA for inclusion in their listing of Eligible Amateur-Built Aircraft Kits.
PHASE 1 OF DARPA/GBA HELIPLANE PROJECT EXTENDED
DARPA has provided funding to extend Phase 1 of the Heliplane project an extra six months to allow design of a new blade tip to reduce noise. "We have an alternate design that our initial analysis indicates should have a dramatic effect on tip-jet noise, allowing this military aircraft to achieve stringent commercial noise requirements. However, completing the preliminary design of the alternative approach will require additional effort, hence the six-month Phase 1B," said David Groen, GBA Chairman, President & CEO. "Our confidence is high that this design will be effective."
Performance goals for the Heliplane include a top speed of 350kt (400 mph), a 1,000 lb useful load with a range of 1,000 nautical miles (1,152 miles). The GBA contract with DARPA is based upon the “gyrodyne” concept, proven for practical use by the Rotodyne, long espoused by GBA and extensively researched by Georgia Tech. A gyrodyne is similar in appearance to a winged helicopter, and like a helicopter is capable of hovering and vertical takeoff and landing. Unlike a helicopter, however, a gyrodyne’s rotor is driven by rotor blade reaction drives and are powered only during hover, takeoff and landing. During forward flight, like a gyroplane, the rotor is not powered, with forward thrust being provided by engines typical of an airplane. This use of reaction drives for rotor power and main engines for forward thrust eliminates the need for much of the cost, weight, and complexity found in helicopters, while permitting much higher forward speeds. For more information, please click here on “Gyrodyne.”
GBA SELECTED AS ONE OF UTAH’S TOP HIGH TECH COMPANIES
Utah Business Magazine has selected Groen Brothers Aviation for inclusion in their 2007 High Tech 20 list. “Utah has much to be proud of regarding the quality and magnitude of its high technology industry,” said GBA Chairman, President & CEO David Groen. “We are honored to be included in such a prestigious group.” Demonstrating the wide variation in Utah’s growing high-tech sector, an example of others chosen for the High Tech 20 list were: ATK Launch Systems Group, rocket motor manufacturers; GoEngineer, design software leader; and WorldHeart Corporation, manufacturer of the life-prolonging Levacor Ventricular Assist Device (VAD).
GBA/AMERICAN AUTOGYRO 2008 EVENT SCHEDULE
The 2008 event schedule is now listed on the American Autogyro web site. American Autogyro and/or our Authorized Dealers will be busy almost every month this year exhibiting at many EAA (Experimental Aviation Association), PRA (Popular Rotorcraft Association) and general aviation air shows across the country. We hope you will have the opportunity to visit with us and see the SparrowHawk at one or many of these regional, national and international events. Please click here on “Events” for more information.
TAKING STOCK OF GBA
Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. is a fully reporting, publicly traded corporation, listed on the OTC Bulletin Board as "GNBA" at any Stock Brokerage Company. Investment information including stock reports, Market Makers and SEC annual and quarterly reports are accessible through our GBA web site by clicking here on "Investment Relations.”
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