Norman working out the logistics of getting repair work done

Norman is still working out the logistics of getting the repair work done on the autogyro which will take some specialist expertise.

Norman's description of the weekend incident

Norman is working away on getting the autogyro repairs sorted. Below are some insights to what actually happened over the weekend from Norman that were featured in a recent Belfast Telegraph newspaper article.

“It was a combination of factors. It was a very hot afternoon and the gyro was very heavy with fuel. There was also a cross wind that was blowing across the runway and it was variable so that meant it was blowing you in one direction one minute and another direction the next." Photo below shows Norman waving as he flies by (may be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com).

“I was trying to take off into the wind and really I didn’t get the correct amount of lift as I was flying. At the end of the runway there were power lines which I had to avoid and meant I couldn’t go on and set it down on the other side of them.

I couldn’t turn right because there was a grove of coconut palms. On the other side there was a shallow lake so the best option was to try and go over the lake. We just did not have the energy in the rota to stay above the water and the aircraft tumbled over and ended upside down. I came out like you would from a canoe.”

“I have never had an accident before so it was quite interesting. “One second I was flying and the next thing I was upside down in the water. But once I got my head above water that was fine. The water was warm so at least it wasn’t like plunging into the North Sea or something and I am fairly used to the water. It wasn’t really that panicky — it sounds a lot more dramatic that it actually was.”

“I got the gyro out of the water in about half an hour. A lorry came along and lifted it out and we had the engine running in about two hours after the event. We are still evaluating the damage,”

“I hope to be able to fly on. It would be a bit of a shame saying as I have done so well. The plan of action is to take two or three weeks to get the parts from the main factory and Germany and the UK. We are also getting an engineer out to look at repairing the aircraft."

“I was a bit annoyed at myself for putting it into this position but if nothing else, if we get her up and running again, it will be interesting and will show the versatility of this little aircraft."

“I would be very attached to the aircraft and if we can possibly get her going we will. There is a great morale among everyone here in Thailand — I would equate it to that of a Formula 1 racing team who have crashed in practice session.”

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Disaster and triumph

Well everyone, what a difference a few days make! who could have predicted a week ago as I was flying towards Thailand that I would now be reporting on potential disaster and triumph both in the same sentence! The disaster part, as most will be now well aware of was my very unfortunate forced ditching into a shallow lake beside Nong Prue Airfield last Saturday afternoon. At that point I really did think that this fantastic flying adventure had come to an untimely and very abrupt conclusion...However, the positive team spirit displayed by the local flying club members and friends that day was not just "beyond the call of duty", it was quite simply beyond comparison. (photo below may be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com/)

As I literally sat with my head in my hands trying to come to terms with what had just happened, about 20 people quickly set about recovering the Gyro from its 30 minute swim and recovering all the very soggy equipment and luggage held therein. There followed a scene, when I occasionally looked up from my chair, of fantastic uplifting teamwork. The whole contents of the aircraft had been exploded across the floor of the hanger on large tarpaulin sheets, every item carefully washed to remove the lake silt and rinsed with clean water and laid out to dry in the intense afternoon heat. Your eye was drawn around the hanger, an odd mixture of Dollar bills all individually laid out, next to aircraft service sheets, next to soggy passport, next to camera batteries, electrical equipment etc.etc. and all this done spontaneously and with such drive and purpose. (photo below may be used with permission http://gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com/)

Within a few short hours all clothing had been washed and dried and all dried items stowed in large plastic barrels ready for sorting (a job I am still working through days later!). The aircraft too, received the same treatment, recovered, unloaded into hanger, engine drained of water and restarted barely two hours after the incident. 

It was a triumph, not just in the physical achievement of so quickly turning the situation around bringing a sense of order to the devastating chaos which was first presented, but it was also a triumph for the positive, spontaneous spirit displayed by all those people, who a few short days before had all been complete strangers to me on my arrival. If we successfully repair the aircraft in the coming weeks, a contributing factor will no doubt be the fact that the "can do" atmosphere pervades here in Thailand and in Nong Prue Airfield in particular. In short, their efforts may well have managed to save the whole show... Cheers N.

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Norman is well but the autogyro is damaged

Thank you for all your patience. Norman is well but the autogyro has been damaged a will not be flying for the immediate future. Here is a message received from Norman by mobile / cell phone text in relation to taking off on Saturday morning. 

"Apologies to all for the delays - a combination of high air temperature, heavy aircraft and variable cross wind resulted in a poor climb out by the aircraft on take off. Obstacle avoidance resulted in a forced ditching in to a shallow lake. Thankfully I was not injured and the aircraft is now being assessed for possible repair. There will be more on this as soon as I know all the options. Regards, Norman."

End of text. We have no other information at present, communications with him is difficult and as you can imagine he is occupied with 101 things. Below is a photo of Norman with Andreas Hansson earlier today at Nongprue, Thailand (May be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

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Norman not flying today / new Thai photos

Norman will not be flying today but we have just uploaded some photos of him flying and hanging out at Nongprue. Thailand.  To see the new photos go to this link. Below is a sample (May be used with permission gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

Norman will not now be flying today

Norman will not now be flying today due to technical problems - more later.

Norman is flying to Samui, Thailand today / his stay in Nongprue

Norman is flying to Samui, Thailand today - the Island off the east coast of the Thai peninsula, weather permitting. This is about 210 miles / 335 kilometers which will take approx three hours flight time. He hopes to set off around noon local time which is 05:00 (UTC) am UK time. He will be flying in a south west direction and the weather at present is hot 32c / 92f and sunny with some partial cloud and a light wind out of the south.

Norman will stay in Samui for two days to allow flight clearence for Malaysia to come through. You may be aware that Norman was entertaining the local media with a fly around accompanied by microlights from the local flying club who are hosting him. He also did a great radio interview and this will be made available as soon as is possible. Any available photographs and video from the fly around will also be made available as soon as is possible. Photo shows Norman flying high above the Thai countryside (may be used with permission)

Norman has been staying at the Horseshoe Point Resort near the beach in Pattaya. Open since November 2001 it is set in an estate which covers more than 530 hectares. He was amazed to find that his room overlooked the large spectacular indoor riding arena!

The time in Thailand has been a light relief for Norman from the weather problems Bangladesh, communications difficulties in Burma and the civil unrest of the 'Red' Protests in Bangkok.

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Norman plans to fly in Thailand / Recent newspaper coverage of Norman in India

Norman plans to fly in Thailand today at Nongprue. Firstly he will do some interviews with the local media.  This will be followed by air-to-air filming and photography with members of the local microlight club and the media.

Here are some recent newspaper cuttings of the coverage of Norman in India

Assistance for Norman in Malaysia?

Any aviation or other contacts in Malaysia? If you do email gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com please. Norman would appreciate assistance!

Norman has landed at Nongprue, Thailand

Norman has landed at a local microlight flying club Nongprue, Thailand.


According to Ian Gilks of the Nong Prue Flying Club and our contact on the ground Norman has had a beer and is freshening up at the Siam Country Club. Then back to the airfield for a BBQ and a couple more beers. Press interviews and air to air filming are planned for tomorrow morning.