Sport Aviation Loses An Amazing Presence

ANN has the sad job of noting the passing of a true legend in the rotorcraft community, not to mention one of the finest men we've ever known. Helicycle designer BJ Schramm was confirmed lost, by the Gem County Sheriff's office, in the crash of Helicycle N3275Q in Horse Shoe Bend, Idaho.

After being reported missing late Tuesday, a Wednesday search found the the single seat Helicycle, inverted, in the Payette River, with BJ, 65, still strapped into the aircraft. An aerial search first spotted the Helicycle early Wednesday while dive crews recovered it close to noon. Sources report that the Helicycle had been involved in a video project late Tuesday when the aircraft went missing.

BJ Schramm was an amazing man, the designer of the original Rotorway helicopter series and the more recent Helicycle. His accomplishments span decades of exciting research and development, and he was one of the few people to whom the word "legend" could be attached with no question of accuracy. BJ was a dear friend of ours and a man with an uncommonly strong faith in God. We're going to miss him tremendously... but we find great solace in his faith and our belief that he's ascended to heights we can barely imagine. BJ Schramm was one of the men who made sport aviation a truly exciting pursuit. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

EAA Remembers Schramm...

"We were very saddened at the loss of BJ Schramm this week. He was extremely dedicated to the philosophy and mission of EAA, and his innovative designs allowed many people to pursue their own individual dreams of flight. BJ was a unique personality in the homebuilt community and we were proud to call him a fellow EAA member for more than 30 years. He had gained countless friends through his many years of aviation involvement. He will be missed by many, but always will be remembered for his contributions."

-- EAA President Tom Poberezny

** Report created 4/29/2004 Record 9 **
IDENTIFICATION
 Regis#: 3275Q Make/Model: EXP Description: HELICYCLE
 Date: 04/27/2004 Time: 2100
 Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
 Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
 City: HORSESHOE BEND State: ID Country: US

DESCRIPTION
ACFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, ONE PERSON ON BOARD WAS FATALLY INJURED, 6 MILES SW OF HORSESHOE BEND, ID

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
 # Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: UNK
OTHER DATA
 Activity: Pleasure Phase: Unknown Operation: General Aviation
 Departed: MONTOUR STORE Dep Date: 04/27/2004 Dep. Time: 2005
 Destination: MONTOUR STORE Flt Plan: NONE Wx Briefing: N
 Last Radio Cont: NONE  Last Clearance: NONE
 FAA FSDO: BOISE, ID (NM11) Entry date: 04/29/2004

FMI: www.helicycle.com