The plan for getting back in the air after 'gyro in the lake incident'

Greetings again from Thailand! It's been just over a week since my unscheduled stop off began and I initially thought that was the end of my circumnavigation record attempt. Photo shows Norman 'suited, booted and rearing to go' at a Buddhist Temple near Nongprue, Thailand (may be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

 .

However, the expeditious retrieval of the aeroplane prevented any permanent water damage and after removing the outer yellow bodywork shell things looked more positive. The crucial, fundamental structure of any aircraft is its airframe and on the gyro that frame comprises a central, horizontal keel running the entire length of the aircraft. This keel directly supports the tail section and also the vertical rotor mast. All the other components of the aircraft are supported from this box section stainless steel skeleton.

Although GYROX suffered superficial damage to the fixed undercarriage, fortunately the main airframe keel retained its integrity. Norman with the Nong Prue crew who saved the day L to R. Dan, Steve, Peter, Norman, Ian, Paul, Tom, Tiger (Owner Nong Prue Airfield).(may be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

The main damage has been a bend in the main rotor mast section about 3 feet down from the rotorhead. This was sustained as the gyro turned over in the lake. The engineers have examined the damage and it appears we are going to be able to cut out the damaged part of the rotor mast where it attaches to the box section and weld in a new piece to repair the damage. An approved CAA/DCA (Thai CAA) welder has obtained authority from the UK CAA to work on the aircraft and will be brought in to make good the repair to the required standards.

Once this has taken place then we will put the stripped down aircraft back together and carry out checks on the instrumentation for long-term water damage and other electrical components on the aircraft. The engine was run shortly after the event but this will be re-checked prior to flight trials and rotor balancing. Photo shows Norman's personal items being cleaned and dried not long after the 'autogyro in the lake' incident (may be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

I will issue some regular reports as the process proceeds to get GYROX airborne again. The anticipated timescale is approximately 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the availability of people and parts.

There are worse places than Pattaya for an enforced stop over!

• Become a Facebook friend 
• Go to our website for more general informationhttp//www.gyroxgoesglobal.com/ 
• Please consider donating to Bowel Cancer UK - link right.