The Conversion of a Fixed Wing Pilot
by Joe Pires Qualified PilotPedro Saldarriaga, is a great young man, enthusiastic pilot and avid videographer, had flown with me once before, in what I call my "Magic Carpet Ride." This is how i introduce someone who has never flown in a gyroplane. I fly ultra conservatively, making slow sweeping turns and in general make sure I do not scare them. When they come back, I sometime give them a different ride if they want. This one is my "Out of Africa" flight. I have flown this route about a hundred times. Except for a small stretch of about a minute and a half when i am right over a river, i have enough speed and options to land in the event of an engine out.