If you are interested in learning how to fly gyros then take a look at the British Rotorcraft Association website
www.gyroflight.co.uk and look at the list of Instructors and / or the Gyrocopter Experience
www.gyrocopterexperience.com . For the record I run the Gyrocopter Experience at Old Sarum.
Gyrocopters, Gyroplanes and Autogyros arer all the same thing. Gyroplane is the "official" title (as used by the CAA and FAA), autogyro is the term used by Ken Wallis (of Little Nellie fame) and many others, gyrocopter is the most searched name on Google.
The accident record of gyros in the UK has been transformed since the arrival of factory-built aircraft certified to BCAR Section T (the UK CAA's light gyroplane approval standard). Prior to 2006 there were about 40 to 50 gyroplanes flying in the UK at any one time and we averaged one fatal a year. Since 2006 the number of gyroplanes in the UK has trebled, the amount of flying taking place has increased massively (due to the better capability and usability of the factory-built machines) and we haven't had a single fatal accident in the factory-built Section T aircraft.
Before anyone jumps on me not all of the amateur built gyroplanes were or are bad, but it's hard for the newcomer to know which aircraft they can trust and which they can't. They also require a certain degree of dedication to build and / or maintain, so it's not for everyone.
The minimum training requirement for a PPL(G) is 40 hours. If you hold a PPl(A), and NPPL(A), an NPPL(M) or a gliding Silver C you get a 10 hour credit. If you hold a PPL(H) you get a 20 hour credit. Full details are in LASORS (on the CAA website).
If youy can get to The Flying Show at the NEC this weekend then the industry will be well represented - as well as the BRA there will be manufacturers' stands (Magni and Rotorsport UK) as well as The Gyrocopter Experience - our main aim at the show is to provide education - to introduce people to the world of gyroplanes and help them take their first steps to becoming a gyro pilot.
The current issue of Flyer magazine has a write-up on the Magni M16, the next edition of the LAA mag has a report on the Magni M24. Both are worth a look if you want to know what it is like to fly one. Alternatively just find yourself an Instructor with a factory-built aircraft and find out for yourself!