Wednesday, October 2, 2024
The annual Fly-In and Car Show at Pecan Plantation was a resounding success this past weekend. Under perfect weather conditions, it attracted aviation enthusiasts and vintage car lovers. Attendees relaxed in the warm fall sunshine, with car radios playing Beatles and Eagles hits in the background.
Among the aircraft exhibitors were Pecan Plantation residents Ray and Mike Lewis, a father-son duo showcasing their newly built Autogyro Cavalon 915is.
Ray Lewis, a seasoned pilot with over 60 years of experience, has been passionate about aviation since his late teens. He financed his flight training by working part-time as a grocery bagger during his college years at the University of Texas at Austin.
“I grew up with my dad flying recreationally all the time,” Mike stated. The pair often traveled to the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, creating lasting memories along the way. “I have fond memories of riding mopeds around the airshow grounds with the ‘follow me’ flag,” he recalled. “You’d never see little kids doing that these days.”
Mike Lewis joined the U.S. Army after college and moved around frequently due to his military duties, making it hard to pursue his flying dreams.
“Dad always wanted me to get my pilot certificate,” Mike Lewis said. “He owned a Bonanza that I could have flown, but with my military duties, it just wasn’t feasible.”
After 22 years in the Army, Mike Lewis retired and quickly found a great job with Lockheed Martin, where he still works eight years later. At this point he seized the opportunity to pursue his dream of flying.
Ray Lewis has been flying for over six decades without a single incident and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Wright Brothers Award.
In his 80s, rising insurance costs prompted him to sell his Bonanza and purchase an Autogyro MTO Sport 915is kit. Mike Lewis assisted his dad with the build on weekends, balancing the project with his family and work. They assembled the Autogyro at Blue Skies Gyros, Craig McPherson’s company in Blum, under their builder-assist program.
After completing the aircraft, he began his flight training. Unfortunately, just before his final practice flight for the check ride, another pilot in a taildragger collided with him on the runway, totaling the plane. “It was a bummer, but I was lucky to walk away without injury,” Mike Lewis said.
After the accident, Ray and Mike Lewis were able to upgrade to the Autogyro Cavalon 915is they now have. Mike Lewis describes their journey with humor. “When we ordered our Autogyro, we wanted it in cherry red, but it arrived in maroon — Texas A&M colors!” he laughed. “You can imagine my dad’s face!”
While making the purchase, they received an exciting offer from the CEO from Autogyro: if they traveled to Germany, they could build the aircraft on-site under the guidance of the factory’s head of production.
“We jumped at the chance,” Mike Lewis recalled. “In June 2023, the whole family traveled to Hildesheim, where Dad and I worked on the plane while the others explored the area.
“In just seven build days, we had the airplane 99% complete,” Mike Lewis explained. They worked closely with the factory’s head of production and the assembly line staff. They were thrilled to receive a builder’s certificate for their experimental aircraft, which was built to certified factory standards. “It was a win-win for us!” he added.
Now, with about 110 hours of flight time in the Autogyro, Mike Lewis is eager for more adventures with his father. “Dad is a wealth of knowledge,” he said. “I learn something new every time I fly with him. I’m hoping for many more years of flying together.”
