ABOUT ASRA

Committee & Officers

ASRA is concerned with improving safety standards for pilot training and aircraft. We aim to promote safe and responsible professional practices, while retaining our identity, reducing costs and minimising restrictions.

Rick Elliott
President
[Accountable Manager]
Board Member
Berowra, NSW
0408 969 118
Mark Divito
Vice President
Registrar
Board Member
North Brighton, SA
0403 285 478
Ross Morrish
Secretary
Board Member
Biloela, QLD
07 4992 5465
John McDermott
Treasurer
Board Member
Nowra, NSW
Jeff Blunt
Operations Manager
[Part 149. Head of Flight Operations]
Board Member
Valentine, NSW
0421 784 088
Mark Regan
Technical Manager
[Part 149. Head of Airworthiness and Maintenance]
Board Member
Melbourne, VIC
0411 423 428
Darren Hills
Safety Manager
York, WA
0438 451 971
Mark Robertson
Documents Manager
Buderim, QLD
07 5445 8111
Position Vacant
Assistant Technical Manager
Wayne Mitchell
Chief Training Pilot
New Lambton, NSW
0418 431 456
Position Vacant
Assist. Operations Manager
Lloyd Magner
Public Officer
Canberra, ACT
Tony Arbon
ASRA Historian
Caboolture, QLD
0458 707 338
Ross Morrish
Gyro News Editor
Biloela, QLD
07 4992 5465
Michelle Beecroft
Web Master
Ormeau, QLD
Ross Morrish
Incidents Registrar
Biloela, QLD
07 4992 5465

ASRA History

1923

The original aircraft known as an ‘autogiro’ was invented by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva, with the first successful flight being in 1923.

1923

1930

Cierva C30A autogiro

In the 1930’s 4 license built Cierva C 30A autogiros were imported into Australia, made by A.V. Roe (AVRO) at Manchester, UK. Only one Australian example survives, VH-USR, currently on display at Sydney’s Powerhouse museum.

1930

1960

Victa Model 67 (1962)

In the early 1960’s the Victa motor mower company developed an aviation division, with one of their projects being a prototype pusher gyroplane designed by Mr John Blackler and powered by a Lycoming 180 hp engine. Called the Victa Model 67, registered as VH-MVB, it first flew in May 1962 and subsequently amassed 20 hours test flying time and is now in the Camden air museum, NSW.

1960

1970

McCulloch J2 certified gyroplane

In the early 1970’s 8 American McCulloch J2 2 seat side-by-side certified gyroplanes were imported into Australia and assigned VH registration in the ensuing decades up to 5 more found their way by various means into Australia as well as several to New Zealand, but none are currently VH-registered or in operation. With a gross weight of 1598 lb and a 3-bladed Jovanovich 25.9 foot rotor (a variation of the rotor used on Hughes 300s), the type had a disc loading of 2.9 lb per square foot and had a power-off sink rate that sometimes exceeded 2200 feet per minute. The J2 was commercially and operationally unsuccessful in the United States and elsewhere, including Australia. Low payload, short range, high noise and poor rate of climb all contributed to make them impractical.

One J2 is provisionally on the ASRA register but is not yet rebuilt and will also need CASA approval to be flown. From time to time word gets around that other J2 rebuilds not registered with ASRA are close to completion, but at time of writing none have resumed operation.

The only other modern-era commercially built certified gyroplane was the American Air and Space 18A tandem 2 seat pusher. Like the McCulloch J2 it was commercially unsuccessful and none came to Australia.

1970

2014

Air and Space 18A certified gyroplane

As at early 2014 there were no VH-registered gyroplanes. All gyroplanes currently flying in Australia operate under the auspices of the Australian Sport Rotorcraft Association (ASRA), and are allocated a “G” registration number by ASRA. The numbers are requested by members and either have 3 or 4 numerals following the G.

2014
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