About Us / BIO OF JAMES F.  RIORDAN
 
 

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Builds, owns and flys his own aerobatic ultralights and experimental aircraft.  FAA licensed private pilot checked out in many different types of planes including taildraggers, biplanes and high performance turbocharged retractable gear aircraft.  Licensed glider pilot, high performance and aerobatic sailplanes.  Ultralight Flight Instructor and Flight Instructor Examiner (UFIE) for EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association.  ) Holder of FAA low-altitude aerobatic competency waiver for performing airshows.  Teaches aerobatics and gives many aerobatic rides per year.  Also enjoys motorcycle riding, motorhome camping, 4 wheel driving, and metal sculpture. 
 

Jim Riordans Propcycle in Watsonville 1987
Jim Riding his Propeller Driven Motorcycle
The Propcycle™

The Nations first street licensed propeller driven motorcycle. This unique three wheeled vehicle carries two comfortably at 45 miles per hour, even up hills! The Propcycle has been featured in magazines in 17 countries, including Popular Science and Star Magazine in the U.S. It has also been featured on "Evening Magazine with Richard Hart" and "PM" Magazine on television Coast to Coast.


 
Jim, Lynn and Brett Riordan with their
Champion Citabria aerobatic plane
Jim, helmet on, ready to ride 2002
Our first ultra light off the wing of our
2nd ultra light over the Sierras
Jim's plane (center) with friends at
American River
Our third ultra light, Flightstar Spyder
Our motor home on the way to a
camping trip, "roughing it"
Our Samurai 4X4 with Machine gun,
the ultimate tow vehicle for
the motor home
Our V Max, 140 hp V4, the ultimate
Sport Cruiser, had her to 152mph!
Biplane wall hanging metal sculpture
Jim Riordan doing one wheel landing at Placerville
Our Avid Mark IV Sportplane
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Jim Riordan doing one wheel landing at Placerville
Jim Riordan doing one
wheel landing at Placerville.
The AVID is so stable, it can
remain on one wheel for
the full length of the runway.
 
 
 
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Jim Riordan flying Avid sideways down runway while climbing
Jim Riordan flying AVID
sideways down runway
while climbing.
Please note, that in this
photograph, the aircraft
is flying perfectly straight
down the dotted lines
on the runway.
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Jims Rans S9 Chaos aerobatic plane finished in 2009
Jims RANS S9 Chaos aerobatic
plane finished in 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
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jim Riordans IEDecoy with Yamaha motorcycle engine front left side
R& D model built for DARPA
proposal for IED decoy vehicle.
Uses our technology for
in-field inflatable driver and
passenger that also have IR
signature for night use. This
is a remotely operated,
unmanned vehicle.
FRONT LEFT
 
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jim Riordans IEDecoy with Yamaha motorcycle engine left side
R& D model built for DARPA
proposal for IED decoy vehicle.
Uses our technology for
in-field inflatable driver and
passenger that also have IR
signature for night use. This
is a remotely operated,
unmanned vehicle.
LEFT SIDE
 
CLICK TO ENLARGE
jim Riordans IEDecoy with Yamaha motorcycle engine rear
R& D model built for DARPA
proposal for IED decoy vehicle.
Uses our technology for
in-field inflatable driver and
passenger that also have IR
signature for night use. This
is a remotely operated,
unmanned vehicle.
REAR
 
CLICK TO ENLARGE
jim Riordans IEDecoy with Yamaha motorcycle engine cockpit
R& D model built for DARPA
proposal for IED decoy vehicle.
Uses our technology for
in-field inflatable driver and
passenger that also have IR
signature for night use. This
is a remotely operated,
unmanned vehicle.
COCKPIT
 
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Jim Riordan built this custom golf car with machine gun
Jim Riordan built this custom
golf car with machine gun
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Prior years' hobbies included skydiving and freefall, Hot air ballooning, Alpine giant slalom and NASTAR snow ski racing with 6 silver medals, 4 bronze and a 4th place finish in "McDonalds cup".  In 1971, with wife Lynn, made news as the first couple ever to ride the Barstow to Las Vegas desert motorcycle race, riding double, on one motorcycle, passing many solo expert riders along the way.  Formerly raced 1/2 mile oval and open class motocross as well.  From 1961 to 1968 was drummer for several different top forty bands.  Performed opening acts for notables such as Ike and Tina Turner, Paul Revere & the Raiders.  Won second place in Santa Clara County's "Battle of Drummers in 1965". 
 
Jim and Lynn skiing Park City Utah
Jim doing wheelie standing
on the seat before helmet laws 1974
Jim and Lynn (in red) preparing to take
off, 1981
Jim Riordan with our 1946
Cessna 140 in 1982
Jims bicycle after hitting a car that pulled
in front of him
Maico powered Go Kart
Jim (drummer) with band
members 1967
Jim Riordan's first freefall,
Pope Valley, 1976
Maico Kart doing wheelie.
That was sporty! Made my
eyeballs bigger than
my sunglasses
Jim and Lynn were the first couple to
ever attempt to ride the grueling
Barstow-to-Vegas desert motorcycle
race riding double on one bike. Stress
broke the frame in five places
This is how Jim Riordan
tours Yosemite by bicycle
 

 

resume | community involvement | accomplishments | author
inventions, trademarks & patents | hobbies