Amethyst Falcon

[Guest bingobongo]

tonight I found a nice toy on the web named Amethyst Falcon, designed by Bill Whitney.

 

Unfrtunately I was able able to find very little info about it.

 

It looked like the only one built was owned by Bill Knight.

 

Can you give me some more info about the Amethyst?

 

thank you.

 

Fabri

 

 

[Guest Teenie2]

Crashed (bad)I think it was written off.

 

 

[Guest Bill Knight]

I am the owner builder of the Amethyst Falcon, one week after gaining the only legal licence to fly aerobatics in the Falcon, the plane crashed, leaving me with acquired brain injury but alive, that was in December 1998. There was nothing wrong with the plane, there had been a theft in the hangar and the plane did not handle the way it was supposed when doing a display for the local police. It was purpose built for aerobatics.

 

 

[bexrbetter]

Thanks for that info Bill.

 

Did you ever realise what went wrong with the plane, did someone actually steal something off it or just tamper with it?

 

Do you still have the wreckage?

 

The Falcon is a little bit like HITC's 2 seater here .. http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/cheap-2-seater-anyone.54836/

 

 

[Guest Bill Knight]

It was tampered with as there was no rudder when needed, it was being tested for the Narromine Air Show when it went down. When I read your blog, realised you had mentioned Austflight Aviation, did you know that was our business? Wayne Fisher died last week, he was heavily involved with us at Austflight before he started Spectrum Aviation at Lismore, he will be greatly missed, his funeral is on Friday, there were only ever two aerobatic ultralight pilots that I am aware of.........he and I. The rescue people smashed the plane when rescuing, it was actually ok, just bent in the middle a little as it was almost down, just needed another few metres....

 

 

[bexrbetter]

When I read your blog, realised you had mentioned Austflight Aviation,

Hi Bill, thanks for your reply.

 

That's not my blog sorry, it's 'Head In The Clouds' whom I am sure you know very well.

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Hi Bill,

 

Welcome to the forum. Good to see you here.

 

 

[Guest Bill Knight]

Sorry I have upset the forum on my first go, Wayne Fisher is the only person from the "good old days" that has kept in touch with Bill over the years, I just thought I would try and see if there was anyone else out there with knowledge of the Amethyst Falcon, obviously not....

 

 

[dazza 38]

Hello Bill and welcome, I used to talk to you out at Jacobs well back the day, around late eighties/ early nineties. (when you guys operated across the field from where Hecks field is today) You had a Sorrel Hyper Light at the time I think from memory. I was a teenager back then, I loved to listen to you and people like David Donahue and learn as much as I could about ultralights.

 

 

[M61A1]

Sorry I have upset the forum on my first go, Wayne Fisher is the only person from the "good old days" that has kept in touch with Bill over the years, I just thought I would try and see if there was anyone else out there with knowledge of the Amethyst Falcon, obviously not....

I remember you and the Amethyst Falcon, I saw you fly it at a fly-in at Watts Bridge, particularly the ballon bursting (why do we not see events like these at fly-ins any more?). I also recall seeing you around Coomera, when ultralight training was done there. Also saw the write up and pics of the build in "Pacific Flyer" mag. I drop in very occasionally to Dunwich to see Lance and Barrie.

 

 

[Guernsey]

Bill, I don't think you have upset the forum, it is good history and brings back many memories.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Alan.

 

 

[bexrbetter]

Sorry I have upset the forum on my first go, ..

No not at all!

 

I'm sure you will find a few friends and associates lurking, one of the great things about forums is bringing people together from past or present!

 

 

[winsor68]

Looks a lot like the Hughes Pocket Rocket Biplane... Any relation?

 

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

G'day Bill, good to here your still around and well. I met you up at Bill Starks 'ace base' at Woodstock near Townsville, when u came through with a few others in your Sapphire years ago. I had a Drifter back then but now fly a Lightwing. Bill unfortunatly passed a few years back, but he always spoke fondly of you. The field is still operating and now named Stark Field in his memory, and we just had a small easter fly-in and BBQ, which was well attended and they were still arriving when I flew out this morning. Hope we hear more of you on this forum.................Cheers, Ross Millard.

 

 

[DAVID SEE]

I just thought I would try and see if there was anyone else out there with knowledge of the Amethyst Falcon, obviously not....

 

Hi Bill, firstly welcome to the site, the last time I spoke to you was at Neil Lenards funeral some years ago. Good to know your still hanging in there.

 

The yellow falcon above was built and is flown by Ron Bock of Theodore, he keeps it hangared along with his J160 on a private strip a few km. out of Theodore, during the building process Ron went down to Heck Field a couple of times to look at the one you built. Ron flys his falcon on a regular basis, he just loves it and wouldn't sell it for anything. I like his saying..."every man should have tho planes in the shed or hangar"...

 

Cheers Davo.

 

 

[sholto brown]

I spoke to Bill Whitney about the Amethyst Falcon. He designed it. He still has the plans. Had a look at them the other day. Quite a robust, simple design with a couple of engine options. There is still one flying, not sure where. I do like the Gere sports Biplane, but wood not a good option up here in the NT!