Autogyros
Having watched ‘Salvage Squad’ on TV this week where the team re-built an autogyro, and having read Wing Commander Wallis’s letter in this month’s ‘Pilot’ on how efficient they are, I have few questions:
· Why are they not more popular, especially in the weight-shift microlight market, where they appear to have many advantages including better performance and easier hangarage with no de-rigging needed?
· Are they safe? A few years ago there were a number of fatal accidents. Why?
· I understand that they MUST be subject to positive ‘G’ at all times. Negative ‘G’ will slow the rotor to unrecoverable levels and may bend the blades down so that they hit the structure. Either of these conditions results in fatal accident. I’ve been in turbulence in light aircraft which has resulted in quite sharp negative ‘G’ excursions (helmet hitting canopy top despite tight straps etc). How would a gyro handle this?
Can anyone answer the above, and /or supply further info on gyros?
Cheers
SSD