вЂњI'd never flown anything before,вЂќ he said. Mesa bought the first part of his gyrocopter kit for $700 in 1966 and eventually added an engine and refinements. вЂњYou know, up there the feeling is that you're just about as close to nature as you can get. вЂњYou know the only difference between this and my DCвЂђ8 is that it isn't airconditioned,вЂќ he said smiling. Then you can fly anywhere except over populated areas with it.вЂќ вЂњThere's a F.A.A.вЂђdesignated test area within which you must remain. вЂњThen, after demonstrating three takeвЂђoffs and landings to a certified flight instructor, they will endorse your medical certificate that states you're qualified to solo. вЂњAll you need is a student pilot permit and a medical exam,вЂќ said Mr.

They cruise at 45 to 65 miles an hour, fly comfortably as high as 2,000 feet and cost less than other aircraft. Lifted by a twoвЂђblade overhead rotor blade, the gyrocopter relies for forward movement on an engine and vertical pusher propeller in back. They are unlike the helicopter because they need at least 100 feet of runway to take off. Because of this, they do not obstruct the pilot'vision. Their gyrocopters differ from the old autogiro because the engine and propeller are not in front. Ten men belong to the Long Island chapter of the Popular Rotorcraft Association. Peter Adamo, who works on an electron microscope at Rutgers University, came from Staten Island, towing his copter on a trailer behind his car.ДЄnd from East Northport came Frank Mesa, who took the afternoon to explain the workings of his copter, the Bushytail, but who on most weekends can be seen flying in it.

Popular rotorcraft association