PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Decisions, decisions: trade the FW for a gyro?
Old 19th Apr 2012, 01:06
  #14 (permalink)  
abgd
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: The Wild West (UK)
Age: 45
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That's interesting piperboy.

I fly radio control helicopters and it's certainly noticeable that they deal with the wind much better than much larger fixed wing aircraft. I can fly my big helicopter (3.5kg) in winds I wouldn't consider flying full-size f/w let alone r/c.

My concern had been somewhat vague... but along the lines of 'is it possible to fly into an area of downdraft severe enough that you lose rotor RPM before you can recover? I've also found myself with large angles of uncommanded bank when flying in the lee of hills (with an instructor). Whilst I agree that it may be less likely in a rotorcraft, I would be interested to know how well they recover from unusual attitudes. I can imagine that models with high rotor inertia may be safer.

It's a genuine question - I don't want to spread FUD. I have also heard there have been big improvements in recent autogyros and will be fascinated to see how they do over the next few years.
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