Gyroplane Flying

(December 7, 2020) Jim McCutchen began manufacturing McCutchen Skywheels rotor blades in 1985. Following a successful run until 2001, his company manufactured 6,000 rotor blades. To put that into perspective, if you placed the rotor blades end-to-end, they would stretch 17-miles long. That's a lot of rotor blades. During his time of ownership, Jim did considerable research and testing. Our podcast begins with an update from Skywheels President Joe Covelli. Joe details his goal in bringing Skywheels back on the market and manufactured again to match the original McCutchen Skywheels rotor blades for their safety and performance characteristics. The goal was met in the summer and fall of 2020 during test flights by two pilots who confirmed the new rotor blade sets had the same flight performance characteristics as the originals.

(March 13, 2018) In September 2017, Harold Smith sold Air Command International to Joe Covelli. The company specializes in manufacturing gyroplane rotorcraft sold worldwide as build-to-fly kits. As part of the transaction, the company’s headquarters, to include operations and manufacturing, were moved to River Falls, Wisconsin (near Minneapolis, Minnesota). Harold, an aeronautical engineer, and his son Doug successfully operated Air Command from the airport in Caddo Mills, Texas for nearly 25 years. According to Joe, “We look forward to continuing the great tradition of Air Command in manufacturing production gyroplane kits, parts, and accessories for customers worldwide”. Currently, there are over 2,500 Air Command single and two-seat gyroplanes flying worldwide. The company’s first flight was in 1984. The website is www.aircommand.com.

(May 1, 2021) Our podcast guest is Beth Stanton. For a number of years, Beth has been the Innovation column author for EAA Sport Aviation Magazine. She writes about current and emerging trends and technologies in aviation. Skywheels rotor blade systems were featured in her May 2021 column. Meet Beth and find out what she sees as emerging trends in aviation.

(March 13, 2021) In this podcast, meet Lisa Turner who reviews the top five mistakes that experimental builders make and how to avoid them. Lisa has been involved in Aviation since 2006. She's done work as an FAA-designated airworthiness representative, also referred to as a DAR, home-built counselor, A/P, and authored a few books. If you are an EAA member, you also know she writes a monthly column for Sport Aviation Magazine. Lisa’s passion for aviation is real and igniting. She’s most passionate about small homebuilt aircraft. I know you’ll find this discussion informative and helpful. If you're an Air Command gyroplane owner, make sure to download the > 12-month condition inspection guide.

(January 12, 2021) Jim Lezie owned Skywheels Rotor Systems from 2001 to 2018. He is a seasoned veteran of rotorcraft. Jim’s been around rotors for years as a pilot in both the California Air National Guard and a military service member. When ABC Network News was looking for expert comment on the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash in 2020, they called and interviewed Jim Lezie. Jim was extensively involved with new owner Joe Covelli in the Skywheels transition, and ultimately bringing the product back into manufacturing and on the market again. In this podcast, Jim offers a great perspective on Skywheels and its stable and reliable performance. You will enjoy listening to his comments and perspective.