Zenair CH601 and CH650

Aircraft Designs, Inc. (ADI) has been contracted by Zenair to evaluate the structural integrity of their CH601 and CH650 wing design. ADI also signed a non disclosure agreement to not dissimulate information about its findings. However ADI reserves the right to not endorse Zenair promotional material. Such material is and has been shown in conjunction with other ADI’s web-site information, and videos on YouTube. In fact, ADI does not support this promotional material. It is up to Zenair to disclose technical detail on how to construct and operate their aircraft such that they are safe for pilots and passengers to fly in. ADI’s goal is to continue to make technical information of its findings known to Zenair in the form of letters, reports and drawings.

My good friend and fellow gyroplane pilot, ALLAN TATARIAN, passed away. Allan test flew the world's first ultralight gyroplane, my Bumble Bee, at Hollister Airport, CA in 1983. Allan also flight demonstrated in the Bumble Bee at Oshkosh in 1984. He died of cancer.  Allan was always a joy to be with and his great sense of humor and adventure will be remembered by his friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. God bless you Allan.

JERRIE BARNETT dies in his sleep on August 4, 2009.  Jerrie was one of the gyroplane pioneers with his safe, sleek, aircraft engine powered, one and two place gyroplanes. He was a good friend and he believed in helping others. He had recently purchased the rights to manufacture Rotordyne blades in the hope of providing rotors blades for his kits. We will all miss you Jerrie. Your friend, Marty Hollmann

Dave Saler from Air Crafters LLS in Watsonville, CA called me  to ask if I would design the fuel tanks for Steve Fossett’s new adventure, a record setting Bo 105 helicopter which I had worked on in Germany. His new project made me realize I was working for a man who also loves pushing the state of the art in flying machines. I sent Steve my DVD on “Whirly Girls.”  It is a promotional movie that encourages people to do something what others try to discourage you from doing. Steve would relate to that. When someone tells me, “no! you cannot do that,” I work extra hard to show them I can. In return for the DVD, Steve sent me his autobiography, “Chasing the Wind” and I sent him mine “My Life.” I could not put “Chasing the Wind” down and read it cover to cover in two days. I recommend this book to everyone. His book can be purchased for $24.95 from Virgin Books Ltd, Thames Warf Studios, Rainville Rd. London , W6 9HA or over the internet.

The aviation community lost one its heros when Steve Fossett crashed and was killed.