Sierra RotorCraft Club

Hi Jim:

Here is a very brief bio on my rotary wing background and my autogyro interest.

My first exposure to helicopters was in 1955 at the Army Transportation School, Ft. Eustis VA, attending a six month helicopter mechanic training course. Duty followed with the 93d and 591st TAAM Co.s, Echterdingen Army Air Field, and Stuttgart, Germany. After return to civilian world I obtained FAA, A and E certificates and pursued a career in the helicopter industry.

Seriously in need of food and lodging at this time I took brief excursions into the fixed wing and missile communities before landing a position as a field service engineer at Boeing Vertol. Lots and lots of travel to the Far East and assignments with the Marine Corps and Navy customers. During the mid 80s I joined the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey team as a project engineer on the full scale development program and later as the Director of V-22 Product Support Department. Retired from Boeing Helicopters after 25 years of service and hired by Chadwick Helmuth Co., most widely known for its pioneering work in helicopter track and balance equipment and vibration analyzers. My stint there as Applications Engineering Manager/International Marketing Czar(C-H was a small company) lasted 11 years(C-H was bought by Honeywell) and I’ve worked for myself since.

As for autogyro interest, I interviewed for a mechanic position with Coast Rotors, San Diego, when they were entertaining selling the Umbaugh U-18, a German designed autogyro. This didn’t materialize largely due litigation between Umbaugh and others.  I also remember the McCulloch MC-4. Some where around the house I have a copy of its operation manual. I worked briefly with the Groen Brothers Groen Hawk during its development period at Buckeye, AZ airport before first flight. I’ve got a copy of its early flight demonstration and 3000 shares of nearly worthless common stock.

So that’s about me and I’m looking forward to interacting with Sierra Rotor Craft Club.

Larry