Across The Editors Desk – by Jon Stark
August 22, 2011 | 
Author Al Ball in Santa Paula has spent several years restoring an Air & Space 18A gyroplane that hadn’t flown since the 1960s. I went down there last week to test fly it for him following completion of his rebuilding work. Thanks to Al’s hard work and talent, the aircraft is immaculate, and I’m sure it now looks better than it did when it left the factory.
On the first take-off after 40+ years, I didn’t know exactly what sort of performance I would get, but it was outstanding, and leapt into the air. I spent several more days there giving some dual instruction to Al in it, working toward getting him his private pilot – gyro-plane rating.
Attached is a picture of the aircraft showing the quality of Al’s work, and another of us in flight.
Posted in Across Editors Desk