All In The Family

Groen Brothers Aviation says it plans to merge its two subsidiaries, American Autogyro(AAI) and Groen Brothers Aviation USA (GBA-USA) before the end of the year.

Effective November 1, 2004, GBA-USA, developers of the world's first turbine engine powered autogyro, the Hawk 4 Gyroplane, will take on the manufacturing, sales and marketing functions of AAI's SparrowHawk Gyroplane. Groen Brothers Aviation USA, Inc. will be doing business as American Autogyro, for all of its SparrowHawk operations.

Jim Mayfield, formerly the President of AAI, has joined the Board of Directors and has been promoted to Executive Vice President, of Groen Brothers Aviation USA, Inc. As the Company's Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Jim Mayfield also heads the Hawk Werks division of GBA-USA based in Buckeye(AZ). Hawk Werks is responsible for the experimental R&D efforts of the Company and the development of the Company's future technologies.

Jim Mayfield led the team that developed the award winning SparrowHawk Gyroplane, bringing to the world the first fully enclosed two place, center-line-thrust, statically and dynamically stable gyroplane in kit form; a major safety improvement in kit gyroplanes.

"Because of the excellent performance of Jim Mayfield and his team having successfully completed the development of the SparrowHawk, including the manufacture and delivery of the first 20 aircraft, GBA-USA can now take over production. This allows our Hawk Werks team in Buckeye Arizona to concentrate on developing our future products and technologies" said David Groen, President and CEO of Groen Brothers Aviation. "Our Salt Lake City facility was originally designed as a manufacturing plant and can therefore efficiently and economically produce this aircraft."

This merger allows GBA to optimize its operations, bringing the full weight of talent and capabilities of both organizations to the success of the SparrowHawk.

FMI: www.americanautogyro.com