story

us The Conversion of a Fixed Wing Pilot

by Joe Pires
Qualified Pilot

Pedro 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.