A Journey Worth Taking....



1997 Photo

This posting is pretty personal for me.  Reading it will allow you to understand my love for the gyroplane.  Further, this will allow you to understand what it has taken, both developmentally and practically, to get the HoneyBee G2™ to market. It has been done with a company that I am proud and thrilled to be a part of, AeroWorks International, Inc.   

With that said…over the weekend, I had breakfast with some friends and was able to tell my story. Of course my story always includes the HoneyBee Gyro and how a neat little gyroplane expanded to the HoneyBee G2™. It has became such a huge part of my life. 

Honestly, are you feeling discouraged about learning to fly a gyroplane and someday perhaps having your own gyroplane? If you have thought this, you are not alone.  Believe me, it will be worth the effort.  Everyone that I know that has learned to fly a gyroplane has fallen in love them. 

Here is path that I have taken to learn to fly gyroplanes and become Vice President Of Sales & Engineering for the HoneyBee G2™ Project:

I have always been was a hard working kid. At 8 years old I started my own lawn mowing business which expanded to a year round yard/driveway service by the time I was 12.  In 1972 I left my small business behind when we moved to the country and I soon began working on turkey and horse farms.  Rather than driving a lawn tractor or pushing a mower I drove John Deere™ 4020’s and other large equipment from sun up to sun down. At 16 I left the farm work to others and joined my buddies selling ladies shoes in the largest mall in Grand Rapids.  I adjusted well to my new suit and tie outfits vs. my crap kickers and coveralls.  I caught on immediately and became the top salesperson in a National Shoe Chain during my senior year.  I made more money than I knew how to save or spend.  I saved for college and went with virtually the entire process paid for.  My college course work taught me that truth does matter and that we are all in the people business one way or another.  During my college internship I got “reduced flight” instruction in Huntington, WV  just because someone took a liking to me. My move back to Michigan only delayed getting my Private Pilot License until I could really afford it.  In business, I learned to be part of business review teams that turned divisions of corporations around. I learned how to read P & L’s and the difference between an asset and a liability on a Balance Sheet and what debt ratios to watch out for. Why cash is king and so on. 

As my success was proven out in one responsibility others opened up whole new disciplines that I had never dreamed of. Soon I had the opportunity to learn AutoCad™. There was a “light version” and it worked perfectly on my laptop.  This allowed me to submit new product suggestions to the right departments in the right format.  When I traveled I could stay in my hotel room and design aircraft.  Soon, I discovered the internet and the PRA's Website and the free plans from Dr. Ralph Taggart.  Soon after meeting Dr. Taggart and drawing on lots of napkins and eating donuts, the original HoneyBee Gyro was born.  During the day I did my regular stuff.  At night I began living my dream of designing and flying my very own gyroplane. One that I had a part in!!!  Can you see the progression of steps and my preparation for the next step?

If you have read to this point, congratulations! You have probably read enough of my story to see how your life story is playing out. No doubt you have had your own struggles. To that end, I take my hat off to you for not being a quitter! Any one can quit!

Flying a gyro is not going to occur by accident. More than likely, when you finally get to take your solo flight, you will have earned it through patience, perseverance and the pursuit of your dream to fly a gyroplane. When you finally do, it will change you forever.  I know it has me forever!

Never quit! Just take another step!

Committed to building the safest Gyroplanes in the World™

GyroJim


PS: The first five people that send me their name & address to jim@honeybeeg2.com will recieve the all new, never seen before HoneyBee G2™ baseball hat, signed by me.... How's that?   Thanks for reading! Never Quit!  Jim