Thanks!

And a quote from the magazine in 1974:
The member of the Sunstate Rotorclub
in Florida celebrated Dr. Bensen’s birthday
with the Bensen Day Fly-In – 30 Gyrocopters
participated and Helen Darvassy noted that
“The Sunstate Rotorclub in Florida seems to
have an absolute minimum of rules and they
seem to get along better than most clubs.”

I think that is just pure coincidence!

Why mess with a good thing...everyone I have talked to says Bensen Days is way laid back compared to Mentone...

No rules, just right!!!!

Well look who the fuck is running Mentone!
Coordinated everything.
I prefer people go and fly as much as they can.
That's what people want to see.
Not sitting in a room listening to Vance Breese how he feels about the puff.
FICK THAT!
Oh and Fick you FJ

And if you have never been there before you have to get a "card" before you can fly, and get someone in the PRA vouch for you..WTF, the only airport where you have to have permission to fly if you have a license. I would like to go there sometime and fly over some of my old stomping grounds...

People who don't remotely remember what it is like to fly and have fun are in charge of the rest fun havers...is that a real word?
Either way.
FUCKUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!
We are witnessing the unstoppable death of an organization that could not keep up with the changes.
I wish it wasn't that way.
PRA could be doing sooooooo much good.
It is still an established organization.
But when the life long ones whom don't do anything else but fiddle around voting on unimportant details....
Everyone loses the drive ans the will to help and chip in.
Bensen Days were nothing but help and chipping in!!!!
Love them folk coming to help with the event!!!!!

Yes you are right, and they still couldn't get a calendar out!

It was my fault.
I should not have taken the wind out of PRA's sail.
Brent said it!!!!
Now I feel bad....OK I am over it.

If I was waiting on my calendar from the PRA.........well you know, I would have had to get one of those sheep calendars like Muz and FJ are fond of...

Tommy Milton did a calendar back in 2010, and I don't think the PRA has done one as long as I can remember, it is the little things like that, that add value to a membership, but they should be doing more important things than calendars, but my point is they can't even pull that off...

You can't even get a pretty girls picture on a web site let alone a PRA calendar . . .Who wants that?

I know a gyro manufacturer that paid for PRA Magazine ads that weren't printed.
They quit paying, they quit calling, they quit the PRA.
Hell they pissed off half of Texas and that club quit too!

Doug Barker is such a doer........at least if you listen to him. He will NEVER get that erector set flying......I listened to him year after year at Mentone all ramped up and enthused and going to get going on his build.....year after year back at Mentone...the same ol story.......cant even tell he has done a thing. Either you have passion....or you don't. Passion makes you get off your butt....put in the extra build hours...or work hours to bring in the money for the project.

At least I wont have to hear his empty enthusiasm as I wont be at Mentone....or renew my PRA.

Thanks Gabs, I will read that later for sure

Being the PRA president is a tough job. I was on the board two years. You can never make. Everyone happy. Doug has not worked on that sky cycle for some time. He ran into out of money to finish it and Larry always wanted to change this and that problems. He also got sucked in to Larry's promises big time and even spent money on a dealership deal that should have went into his gyro. Now that Larry is dead it might take a very long time if ever it does get built.

He is really a nice guy. They have also had a great lady helping in the office but her husband has had medical issues.
Mentone I think is a great place to fly and do not mind the simple rules. It's a bigger event normally and requires a bit more issues to keep the event insurance people happy. I also know several people flying that do not have any legal license. This helps at least make sure they are legal to fly.
One last note. Trying to keep the board on task is like herding cats. It's not easy to always get things done with board members all accross the country. In local chapters at least many people meet every month an they are close by.

The fireworks are sure good!

Thanks Desmon. I have never been to Mentone and it is unlikely I will ever go.
I really don't mind closer places up to NC I guess. That is about 8 hours of drive already.
I am sure the place is OK. Although I have heard some complaints about the quality of the runway and the lack of taxi way making things crazy at times.
But again I have not been there so it is a he said she said issue for me.
The PRA single handedly alienated half of its members by buying it.
That is a fact. Having their fall out with PSF magazine had proven again how much they don't see the opportunity when it arises.
I keep a very good relationship with Roy and Vickie.
They are nothing but great supporters of Bensen Days.
I do however understand the pitfalls of being a president of an organization.
When you say "you can't make everyone happy" is where Doug fails.
You were not elected to do so!!!
You were elected to make tough and unpopular decisions that are good for the organization.
When you start pandering you have lost your ability to lead.
When you start favoring you become a politician and stop leading.
When you start listening to the loud voices you legitimize their complaints and you become an appeaser instead of being a leader.
I think I just pointed out why Doug isn't one!

Someone who is deeply involved in the Utah group … observes their meetings ..resemble an Amway dealers gathering …lots of … RAH RAH enthusiasms "how can we get a bunch of people joining our group" … but all the "big names " ..are armchair flyers …wannabes … with stalled projects due to hard luck / lack of funds /...you name the excuse! All nice guys … GREAT for putting on an event like ROTR's ( …. not distracted with building/ flying their OWN machines) … so those who actually HAVE flying machines enjoy the results of a dedicated group organizing a cool event … even if the git-er-done'ers are frustrated with the "talkers" … who never make any progress!

Different strokes ….. I'm just glad for a nice relaxed atmosphere event to attend & enjoy great times with rotorcraft friends & a cool place for some different flying!

I know Doug is a real nice guy. I am just sayin when I wanted another gyro...I didn't have money in the bank...except for our untouchable family funds.....so I went out and worked my butt off getting the extra money...

If you want something bad enough...you will find a way. Doug just doesn't want it bad enough ....and that is fine.