Gyrocopter Plans Free

Big tobacco a canary in the coal mine

This morning the company's Asian arm will launch action under international law against the federal government's plain-packaging legislation. Many of us, understandably, want no truck with so-called big tobacco because we consider their product odious. But the habit is a choice made by smokers and the product is legal.

The issue turns on how far governments can go in curtailing a legal industry. It raises concerns about how government intrusion can deliberately devalue the assets of companies that sell a legal product, and begs questions about which industries will be next.

Since the mid 1970s, when television advertising for cigarettes was banned, growing health awareness has prompted ever-more stringent controls. Where once there were expensive advertisements and sports sponsorships, there are now confronting and prominent health warnings on packets that are hidden behind retailers' counters. And taxes have been ratcheted up to try to price the product out of reach.

Yet people smoke. They are either addicted or, presumably, trade off the risks against their enjoyment, just as a cave diver or motorcycle racer must do.

Huddling in their smokers' cabals outside office blocks is their choice, just as others drink, eat or speed their way to an early grave.

The tobacco industry has argued strongly against Canberra's plain-packaging move. Politically it is a classic "triangulation" tactic, the term used by president Bill Clinton's former strategist Dick Morris, to describe policies that lift the political gaze above the Left-Right battle zone to a target that can galvanise widespread support. Certainly, anyone arguing against plain packaging risks being seen to defend a nasty industry. So despite its concerns about the precedent for business freedom, the opposition has avoided the government's trap and pledged support for plain packaging.

The industry has no option but to take the hit, or take rearguard legal action. With the potential for trade restrictions in Australia to be replicated in other countries it is perhaps unsurprising Philip Morris has chosen to lawyer up and stand its ground. A multibillion dollar international business is at stake.

Gyrocopter Plans

The secret is out! It is completely affordable to join our fine feathered friends in the wild blue yonder! You too can be soaring through the skies with just a few weekends of labor and less money than you would imagine. How? Simple, build your own gyrocopter! Whether you purchase a kit or opt for gyrocopter plans, this is an incredibly inexpensive way to get your wings.

If you do some work at it, you may be able to locate free gyrocopter plans, but since they are not really that costly (generally $100 or less) you are better off just ordering the ones for sale and get started! Gyrocopter plans are usually offered in one of three formats:

It is generally a good idea to get the full size plans and even perhaps the accompanying video but the reduced plans are often a third of the price, which would be your option if you are trying to keep costs down.

One option for building a gyrocopter is offered by Vortech, Inc.  They offer a combination plan set that includes both a B-19 Glider and a B-20 Kopter. The Glider is an unpowered craft that costs nothing to run and does not require a license to operate. It can be towed by a car (or boat if floats are added) and once airborne it can be released to allow free soaring. The B-19 can be converted to a B-20 with the addition of a piston engine. The B-20 cruises at 60 mph with a maximum speed of 85 mph. You can use as little as a 35 hp engine with it or up to an 80 hp engine.

The great thing about these two aircraft is that they are inexpensive to build. Although dependent on your ability to scrounge for parts and how much you obtain at full retail, generally you can build the B-19 for under $500 or the B-20 for under $1,000. Furthermore, you can start with the B-19 to get a feel for the aircraft and then later convert it to a B-20. The plans come with directions for both the B-19 and the B-20 so it is up to you what you build.  Additionally, you can further save money by constructing some of the parts yourself, such as the joystick, rotor hub and rotor blades. The plans even include how to build the rotor blades.  Currently their full-size plans include three free manuals about flying gyros for just $100 plus postage. The reduced-size plans without the extra manuals are just $35.

In the event you are leery of building your own gyro from plans, Vortech also offers both the glider and the copter kits and the glider as fully assembled. Currently you can get the complete glider kit for $8,195; the glider fully assembled for $10,345; or the kopter kit without engine for $9,245. (Shipping is extra) You can also get a new or used engine from them.  If you are looking for a two-seat gyroplane, they also have kits for the Shadow.

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