Replies

1. 
   drapson | Jul 07, 2006 02:53pm | #1

   Hi Stan, I have a bro in Decatur, not far from you? I love seeing the difference between the crops there and here in the 'thumb' of MI.

   BTW do you know the farmer in the combine? I would be interested in what the people around there think about the man in the flying machine. I would be chasing you looking for a ride.

   Thanks for the lift..dan

1. 
   StanFoster | Jul 08, 2006 12:33am | #2

   I know all the farmers in the combines...and they all know me.  I have to stay 500 feet from any person...vessel or structure...but I can do down to one foof from their crops.

    

   They all like it...well....almost all.

    

    

   Stan

2. 
   butch | Jul 09, 2006 10:36pm | #3

   Great picts. stan.....

   Next time you go up take some close-ups of the instruments

   and educated us what they all mean

1. 
   StanFoster | Jul 10, 2006 04:50am | #7

   butch:   I flew to Indiana with another dear gyrocopter buddy  to a hogroast yesterday.  Here happens to be a close up of the instrument panel. 

   The panel is what they call a glass panel...meaning its all electronic.  You can make out the altimeter which shows I am at 3000 feet.  The vertical speed indicator shows I am neither going up or down but at 0 feet per minute.   THe airspeed is close to 80 mph.  Engine rpm.s are  4750.  Water temp, oil temp..oil pressure...fuel level..exhaust gas temp...total time...electrical voltage...rotor tach...bearing to destination in degrees and visual color display....track of aircraft in degrees and visual display...distance to destination...all the rivers..towns..lakes...roads...towers...and any other significant landmark is on the color GPS panel...along with time to destination...groundspeed...obstruction warnings... 

    

   Stan

1. 
   donpapenburg | Jul 10, 2006 06:09am | #8

   Stan do you give the farmers an arial photo of them working  from time to time  or maybe a four seasons set of their farm . That would bring around the ones that sorta don't like the fly overs.  

1. 
   StanFoster | Jul 10, 2006 02:02pm | #9

   Don:   I have printed up several nice 8 x 10 pictures of farmsteads and give them out.  Some people take them with a lot of thanks....and some are kind of in a shell....like...I suppose he wants something for this.  

    

   I learned a long time ago to graciously accept gift.....and to repay someday the favor.

    

   Stan

1. 
   donpapenburg | Jul 11, 2006 04:47am | #12

   Stan I would guess that some people are just grumpy and some are leary of folks handing out gifts.  But I think that most people are grateful

2. 
   AndyCharron1 | Jul 10, 2006 04:14pm | #10

   What does it mean when that big red alarm button starts flashing? Whatever it is, it can't be good!

1. 
   StanFoster | Jul 11, 2006 02:31am | #11

   Andy:    I have had it come on!!    I have presets for my water temp that will trigger it if they are exceeded.   If the oil pressure is too low....the voltage too low....oil temp too high....fuel level too low....

    

   The hardest thing to  explain to anyone is that the keys can be thrown out the door...and a gyrocopter can be landed like a crow with a dead engine from 10000 feet....or 10 feet.

   I have had it happen 18 times in my flying career and not a scratch to machine or my body...

    

   Stan

3. 
   timkline | Jul 09, 2006 11:02pm | #4

   hey, shouldn't you have at least one hand on the stick ?

    

   carpenter in transition

4. 
   stinky | Jul 10, 2006 01:26am | #5

   some real cool farms..I really like the slow and low visuals. stinky

1. 
   Jer | Jul 10, 2006 02:40am | #6

   I have so enjoyed these photos when you post them.  Boy but that's some flat country you got out there.  Do you ever wish you could get that thing out into some hills, mountains and valleys?  Maybe the updrafts and downdrafts would be a little much.