2011 Bensen Days!

Recognize this man? You are absolutely correct...Mr. Igor Bensen, the man behind the famed Bensen Gyrocopter and the name sake of the Annual Bensen Days Fly In Event.

With that said, the 2011 Bensen Days officially ends today. For AWI,  the event has proven to be a great success! By that I mean that it was a wonderful way to meet our Web/Blog fans, learn about new power plants that were burning up the skies overhead, (thank you to Brook and Ron) and understand first hand what customers are looking for in their HoneyBee G2™'s!  

There were four common themes: 

1. Stability: First and foremost, there is a univaersal desire for stable gyroplanes. Our staff found that customers enjoyed learning about how AWI has designed the HoneyBee G2™'s to meet the current Pitch Stability requirements in the proposed Gyroplane Stability Standards.  The G2™'s  literally fly hands off in turbulent and convective conditions. Our full-line meets the stability requirements at all speeds including MPRS (Minimum Power Required Speed) and Vbg (Best Power Off Glide Speed). 
2. Part 103 Legal Ultralight: For those that were interested in real, full featured ultralights we had lots to discuss. For those familiar with Dr. Taggart's Gyrobee & the  HoneyBee Gyro of the 1990's, the HoneyBee G2™ Ultralight Frame is significantly lighter by design  and is "featured up to the 254# limit of FAA Part 103 Guidelines.  People are tired of being "winked at" on the entire ultralight issue. 
3. 4 Stroke Engines: There was a universal interest in having options for more 4 Stroke power plants across the complete line.  AWI has been working on this for the last six months. We are glad that we are on the same page on this one....more at the PRA Convention. 
4. Enclosures: Customers expressed a real interest in full and partial enclosure with "storage" that can adapt to both warm and cold climates.  I was able to spend time in the Pilot's Lounge at Wauchula with Bill about this one; I learned a lot from him. His input helped me better understand his and his wife's need for wind protection and storage but in the realm of the Southern climates. Sometimes my "Great White North" mindset hinders my ability to understand what's it like to fly in "warm" weather year round. I have listened hard and learned even more. Thank you Bill for helping me understand!

In closing, I want to personally thank Sun State Wing & Rotor Club for sponsoring the event.  Great Job!!! Thank you to "Air Boss" Roy Davis for clearly leading and keeping it safe and fun at the same time! Thank you to the PRA Staff that could be seen all over the place with their Orange Shirts; keeping things safe and moving in the right direction. Thank you to Scott Lewis for setting the stage for good, safe gyroplane flying. When the President is also a good gyronaut, it sets the stage for everyone. Thank you to Gary Goldsberry, the former President of the PRA who works behind the scenes and is a friend to everyone there. I have seen Gary play such an important role as a highly "supportive" behind the scenes, "former President".  Great job Gary! Lets go flying together! Lastly, I am thankful for the friends that I made, got to fly with, film with and most of all the customers who appreciate what we are trying to do with simple line of gyroplanes.  Looking forward to seeing all of you again at the PRA convention!

I will see you at Mentone!

Jim