I haven't been flight training in a while mostly due to lack of financial commitment, however I was contacted by a gentleman not too far from me that bought a brand new Cavalon and needed training. I haven't flown one so i suggested that he get with another CFI that trains in them, which turned out to be Craig McPhearson from Texas.

I wanted to get checked out in the Cav so I can do the check ride with this gentleman as well as to fly with him a bit after Craig got through with his training.

As soon as we took off the feeling of "I'd rather be here than anywhere on earth" came back. I've missed training and flying gyros so much I didn't realize how ingrained into your soul it really is...

I really liked the Cavalon. It's the first "new generation" of gyros I've been in since I trained a couple students in a Xenon back in 2008. I can see why someone would plunk down that kind of cash for one of these machines. The prerotator and rotor brake was cool as hell and did a great job of getting the rotors up to speed.

It did take a good bit of runway to get off the ground, it was about 89 degrees, we were on grass (that needed to be mowed pretty badly), about 12mph quartering headwind, and me at 220 and Craig at about that or a little more perhaps. it climbed out pretty good loaded like that and cruised along nicely.

I would have liked to have a little more rudder authority at slow speeds and I would think that in a true engine out you'd really have to pad the approach numbers to keep it straight, but that's mostly pilot skill on that one.

All in all if I had the money I'd be looking at a Cav or any of the other new generation enclosed gyros...

Good deal Don!
Let us know how you like to instruct in the Cavalon.
Have fun while doing it!!!!!

In Barry's Cavalon, it has a snack shelf right behind the seats, that's better than flyin on one of then big airliners, 'cept it has no bathroom...The cavalons are pretty sweet, especially when you can take the doors off.l

yeah the doors were off that day... otherwise it would have been like a sauna with bad breath....

Mine also has a full bar with a movie screen and pedicure bath too !!

How do you handle the weight and balance with Gabor down there by the rudder pedals for your mani pedi?

You should see the Korean guy who does the pedicure ...... he really has a rather small area to work with.

You'd be surprised.....Gabor can fit into some really tight spaces!!

Cavalon is a nice ride..


Especially with good lookin pilots!

That is so true Scotty.... have you got any pics of one with good lookin' pilots?