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It is so sad for me to report the loss of Chris Lord in his Gyro. I knew Chris and was proud to call him a friend. I am in shock. There has been a Go-fund. R.I.P Chris.
https://sputniknews.com/us/201810311...rvGyXB7EHhUYvM
http://www.pra.org/donation.aspx?i=4...OafgkR7mpXx9eY
Chris and I had been internet friends like most of us. One day I get a message from him. He is flying cross country and needed a place to stay for the night. We stuck his gyro in my hangar and he stayed the night. He shared a story of this trip with me. I would like to share this with everyone.
He was flying from California back out east. It was really hot out at this time of year, around 100 degree's out. He told me he could not take it any longer so he started to ascend to 9000' agl. He then radio's ATC. He tells ATC he is in a gyro at 9000' and would like Flight Following. ATC comes back and said you are in what at what altitude and why? He said a gyro, at 9000' to get out of the heat. He said they never mentioned it again and granted his flight following.
After he left my place the next day, he needed fuel. We don't keep aviation fuel here so he had to fly into Capital. Once he landed he had a failure of the rotor system and ended up trailering his Gyro home. His gyro had a system that would start the rotors spinning. That failed. He sold that Gyro not long after this. At one time I had pics of this gyro when he was here. I am not sure I still have those pics.
Sad news, sorry to hear that, sorry for your friend. Anybody can go at any time, it's never easy.