The Gyrocopter
Experience
Rufforth East Airfield ,
North Yorkshire
David Thompson
The airfield at Rufforth is split into east and west areas with
the east being predominantly used by gyrocopters and microlights
while the west is given over to gliding and the home of the York
Gliding Centre ;
http://www.yorkglidingcentre.co.uk/ and Mclean
Aviation which is owned and operated by the eponymous Bob McLean
;
http://www.mcleanaviation.co.uk/index.php . Both are
enthusiast friendly but advanced notice of visits is preferred
as is , when visiting Bob’s workshop , a voluntary contribution
into the coffee jar which goes to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance !
The Gyrocopter Experience share the ‘East Side’ with York Flying
Club ;
https://www.facebook.com/yorkflyingclub/ who operate
both fixed and flex wing microlights as well as several private
owners who operate from their recently built hangars which stand
on the concrete surface of the perimeter track of this former
wartime bomber airfield which now doubles as both a peri-track
and hardstanding . The wartime control tower also still survives
and is used as a storage yard by a local builder and whilst in a
good condition the post-war metrological section extension has
all but given up the ghost of times past and will not survive
for much longer ! The portacabin which once doubled as the
flying club office and café has gone and is being replaced by a
newly built hangar extension were the top floor will be a new
clubroom and below will be a hangar for an as yet unidentified
twin ! The flying club have a strict no spotter-enthusiast
policy in force and there is no access to either their hangar or
apron except when viewed from the Gyrocopter Experience .
The Gyrocopter Experience is a network of gyro flying schools
throughout the UK but York is their only location which also
boasts both a gyrocopter academy and gyrocopter museum .
Visitors have always been welcome here and still are but due to
the continuing theft of Rotax engines throughout the GA
community proof of identity must now be shown to gain access to
both the museum and hangar and although you are no longer free
to walk around the aircraft they can still be easily seen and
photographed from the museum on the first floor . No ID – no
entry ! The Gyrocopter Experience ;
http://www.gyrocopterexperience.com/component/gyrocom/abc/location/location/2
.
Museum
G-ARTJ Bensen B8M
G-BXCJ Rep. Campbell Cricket
G-CDBE M-Bensen B8M
BAPC440 PFA Gyroglider 001 PCL132 built by Peter Lovegrove
Hangar-workshop
G-BXKM RAF2000 GTX-SE
G-CEOX Rotorsport UK MT-03
G-CGLY Rotorsport UK Calidus
G-CGNM Magni M16C
G-CGRY Magni M24C
G-CGVK Rotorsport UK Calidus
G-CJTA Rotorsport UK MTOSport
G-GTFB Magni M24C
G-KEVG Rotorsport UK MT-03
G-YPDN ditto
G-YROK Magni M16C
? ? former two seat sim - rejected production pod
Simulator
G-CFCG Rotorsport UK MT-03 pod only
Flying
G-CGSD Magni M16C
G-CGZE Rotorsport UK MTOSport
With thanks to Kati and Phil for the access .
DET 4 October 2017