Offers Significantly Reduced Build Time Over Earlier Kits

Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. announced this week their American Autogyro Division is introducing the latest version of its SparrowHawk series of kit-built gyroplanes, the SparrowHawk III Quick Build.

"Compared to our earlier versions, the new SparrowHawk III will significantly reduce the time and effort involved in building this fine aircraft," said GBA CEO David Groen. "More importantly, several critical areas of assembly, where mistakes by the builder could lead to compromising the safety of the aircraft, are now completed here at the factory."

The company tells ANN this latest SparrowHawk variant reflects GBA's more than two decades of gyroplane design and development experience.

"More than 100 SparrowHawks have been sold through American Autogyro's national and international dealer network. "For many of our customers, it had been their first attempt at building an aircraft," said SparrowHawk Program Manager Devon Hansen. "We wanted to reduce the build time and yet increase the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment throughout the build process. To achieve our goal, we concentrated on minimizing tasks and assemblies in critical areas such as the mast and keel assemblies, and flight controls. We also focused on areas that demanded large investments of time for the builder such as wheels, landing gear, and the composite cabin and tail assemblies."

The aircraft's electrical wiring system is an example which fits both criteria. A marked electrical wiring harness replaces rolls of wire, which required cutting to correct lengths, identifying and bundling. Mast, keel and landing gear assemblies consisting of hundreds of parts are now provided in sub-assemblies, intended to be easily combined together in a few hours. The cabin and tail, which once required a large investment of time in cutting, fit and assembly, now come complete and ready for prep and painting.

The SparrowHawk III Gyroplane is an Amateur-Built (also known as home-built or kit-built) aircraft, built by individuals and licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as "Experimental." Currently, more than 23,000 amateur-built/home-built aircraft are licensed by the FAA, according to Groen.

FMI: www.americanautogyro.com