Tribute from RotorWay International website
B. J. Schramm - In Memoriam April 29, 2004
It is with great shock and sadness that we express our condolences to the family and friends of a true aviation pioneer, B. J. Schramm. Founder of RotorWay Aircraft (later to evolve into employee-owned RotorWay International), he died in a helicopter crash in Idaho. After conducting a photo shoot in his Helicycle single-seat helicopter, he was reported missing. Yesterday, he was found in a river, still strapped in his helicopter.
B. J. Schramm began working on affordable helicopters for the average man over forty years ago. His dream became a reality when he created RotorWay Aircraft and debuted the one-place Scorpion helicopter at the Oshkosh air show almost thirty-eight years ago. Eventually, the company introduced the Scorpion Too (a two-seater), which then led to even bigger successes. Soon, the Executive helicopter premiered and gave personal helicopter ownership a sleek new look and set ever-higher standards for the kit-built industry to follow.
When the company was purchased by John Netherwood and then became RotorWay International in 1990, B. J. Schramm went on to create his new company, which produced the Helicycle.