GyroplanesGyrocoptersand Autogyros

Aviation's best kept Secret

Gyrocopter, Gyroplane, Autogyro?

Do they all mean the same thing?

• In general YES. However, there are minor technical differences.

Autogyro (Autogiro)

• The term Autogyro is used to describe the first style of gyroplanes.

• These are tractor-style gyroplanes that have a fuselage that looks like a conventional aircraft.

Gyrocopter

• This is the most common term used by the general public.

• The term gyrocopter is a product name owned by the Bensen company.

– Sort of like the term KleenexTM is a brand name but not all tissues are Kleenex, some are just

tissues.

Gyroplane

• In the United States the FAA’s official term is gyroplane.

• Gyroplane is the term most used by the pilots and people in the hobby

What is a Gyroplane?

• Gyroplanes are a cross between a helicopter and an airplane.

• Mostly like a helicopter the gyroplane is a rotorcraft and uses rotorblades as a spinning wing to fly.

• Unlike a helicopter the rotorblades are not powered directly by the engine and they use a propeller for forward movement.

So what are we going to talk about?

• What is so good about gyros?

• Where did gyros come from?

• Where are gyros going?

• Are gyros safe?

• How much do they cost?

• What kinds are there?

• Where do I get info?

What is so good about gyros?

• Gyros are safe

• A Gyroplane can maneuver and land in a very small area.

• A well made and stable gyroplane can handle wind better than almost all general aviation aircraft – if piloted by an experienced pilot.

• Inexpensive to purchase and easy to build compared to other sport and general aviation aircraft.

• Easy to store and transport. – It is common practice to keep your gyroplane in the garage and

trailer it to a local airport to fly.

• Gyros are FUN!

Where did gyros come from?• Spanish inventor Juan de Ia Cierva built the first "Autogyro" in 1923

• Cierva’s patents were used to develop the helicopter, vertiplane and rotodyne type aircraft. (many patents were stolen from Cierva)

• Autogyro kites were ‘secret weapons’ used by German WWII submarines and under development by the English.

• 1953 saw the rebirth of interest in the gyroplane with the invention of Dr. Igor Bensen's patented "Gyrocopter.“

A Brief History of Gyroplanes

• Gyroplanes flourished from the 1920 through the 1940s, Setting world records and producing new designs.

• Tragically and ironically* the founding fathers and heads of the leading gyroplane manufacturers were killed in non-gyroplane related accidents leaving no one in a position to spearhead development.

• The depression finished off the remaining companies.

Almost a revolution• The amazing gyroplane technology

was almost revived by both the US and UK governments.

• The US project was military and lost funding

• The UK Fairey Rotodyne gained approval for production.

• It would have setup an air route that would transport passengers between metropolitan areas faster and cheaper then helicopters or commercial airlines.

• The project was killed by politics when the British put the Fairey company under control of Westland Co. which had ties to helicopter manufacturers.

• Westland destroyed the working production model, prototypes, drawings and tooling.

Igor to the rescue.

• Dr. Igor Bensen was assigned by the US government and GE to examine captured German secret technology (gyroglider) and the British rotachute in Dayton Ohio.

• Dr. Bensen then designed and patented the Gyrocopter a ‘pusher’ gyroplane and sold his plans to hobbyists.

• Benson lobbied the FAA for the creation of the Experimental 51% homebuilt category and succeeded. ( Previously all homebuilt aircraft were actually flown illegally). Therefore all home aircraft builders are indebted to Dr. Benson and his gyrocopter.

Where are gyros going?• Carter Copter is breaking the rotorcraft speed

record• Groen Brother’s are developing Heavy Lift

Gyroplanes and super-safe, super cheap alternatives to helicopters

• The Monarch Landing gear allows vertical landings at great speed without damage to the airframe

• Some homebuilt machines such as the Gyrhino have true VTOL ability previously only found on production machines.

• Other innovations made by various manufacturers include: – Center-Line Thrust (CLT) for increased

stability and safety– Various Horizontal Stabilizer designs for

increased stability

Are gyros safe?

• Yes! And to many, they are considered the safest aircraft type available.

• However, the safest aircraft is still no match for an untrained or unsafe pilot.

Consider an in flight engine out scenario on a fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and gyro.

Engine Out! Fixed-wing aircraft:

• When the engine stops in flight, you must descend to hold your airspeed. Even with the slowest of airplanes you’ll need a few hundred feet of flat open ground to land safely.

Engine Out! Helicopter:

• You must quickly transfer to autorotation. If at any point, the rotor blade rotation speed decays too much, all control is lost.

Engine Out! A Gyro:

• Is ALWAYS in autorotation mode. You simply hold airspeed and pick a landing spot. At landing you “flare” to trade the stored energy of the blades for a soft zero-airspeed landing.

How much do they cost?• Good stable single place gyroplane kits and used

gyroplanes start at about $8K and can go up to $23K.

• The average cost of an open cockpit 2-place gyroplane starts at about $13K through about $40K.

• Enclosed 2-placed gyroplanes start at around $18K and go up and up and...

What kinds are there?

• There are dozens of gyroplane kit manufacturers and models. Here are just a few of the most popular in the US.

– Air Command– Butterfly (Monarch)– Dominator– LittleWing– Magni– RAF (produced in Canada)– SparrowHawk– Sport Copter– Star Bee Gyros (Gyrobee)

Where do I get info?

• For more information contact: – www.PRA.org Popular Rotorcraft Association– www.pra73.net PRA Chapter 73 (Scappoose, OR)– www.prachapter34.com ( Greencastle IN.)– http://home.earthlink.net/~cra40/ (Chapter 40, Cincinnati)– www.aircommand.com – www.americanautogyro.com– www.raf2000.com– www.sportcopter.com– www.starbeegyros.com– Find a local chapter here:

http://www.pra.org/localChapters.php

• Also join a web forum devoted to rotorcraft:– www.rotaryforum.com

Important Note:

• Even experienced pilots must still get lessons from a gyroplane certified instructor.

• Gyroplanes are relatively easy to fly but are not fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Gyroplanes have some very unique attributes that require gyro-specific training!

Extra Credit?

• How do Gyroplanes compare Pro/Con to other light sport aircraft?

• Gyros and Powered Parachutes and PPG

• Gyros and Trikes

• Gyros and Fixed Wing Ultralights

• Gyros and Experimental Helicopters

• Gyros vs. Gyros?– Ultralight and Experimental Gyros

How do Gyroplanes compare Pro/Con to other light sport aircraft?

Gyros and Powered Parachutes and PPG

• Gyros– Faster (PPG/PPC max speed = 30mph)– Can fly in windy conditions– Greater range– Tip overs less likely– No strings, no canopy to manage or replace– No ‘cell collapse’

• PPC, PPG– PPG, can be stored in a car– Easier to learn to fly– Mixes poorly with other aircraft traffic– More difficult prep for takeoff

Gyros and Trikes

• Trikes– More fuel efficient– Generally faster cruise

• Gyros– Controls are not reversed– Handle wind better– No wing material to wear or replace– Stronger construction– Won’t spin or stall

Gyros and Fixed Wing Ultralights& Experimentals

• Fixed Wing Ultralights– Large used market– Easy to find training– Generally the best x-country aircraft

• Gyros– Less fuel efficient– Harder to find training– Safer engine out, No stalls or spins– Construction easer to inspect– Better in wind gusts and x-winds– Quicker to build / easier to build– STOVL (Short Take Off Vertical Landing)– Requires less storage space, easy to transport

Can you fly a Gyroplane Under Ultralight Regulatioins?

• Yes, you can fly a rotorcraft as an ultralight if you like.

• That means you can fly without a license and you can purchase one completely built, if it qualifies under the FAA Part 103 ultralight regulations as an ultralight aircraft.

• Although you can fly an ultralight gyro without a license you still MUST have training.

Gyros and Experimental Helicopters

• Helicopters– Can hover and fly backwards– Easier to find training– Expensive to buy and maintain– Harder to fly– More complex, difficult to build

• Gyros– Much easier to fly– Except for hover, maneuvers

better– Cheap to buy, store and maintain– Easy way to progress to

Helicopter Rating– Always in autorotation, Won’t

settle with power– More relaxed flying

Gyros vs. Gyros?Ultralight and Experimental Gyros

• Ultralight Gyro– No license required, only

good training– No FAA fees or paperwork– Low performance, short

range– No 2-Place Machines

• Experimental Gyro– ‘Aerobatic’ performance– More features– Must be FAA registered

and maintained per FAA Standards

– Requires a license to fly.

Join The PRA!• www.pra.org• Worlds largest homebuilt rotorcraft org.• The voice of the hobby.• Lots of information, conventions, chapters.• Founded by Igor Bensen• Publishes Rotorcraft Magazine.• More!

Books:

• A few recommendations

• The Gyroplane Flight manual by Paul Abbott

• From Autogiro to Gyroplane by Dr. Bruce Charnov

• Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, FAA Publication

If you want to buy Gyrocopter plans