1st time in a gyrocopter
Does anyone have a view as to why autogyros haven't been more popular?? I know Wallis tried to sell some to the AAC some years ago but then the project stalled. I was also surprised they were competing with things like the Edgely optica that was trialled by the police a few decades ago.
They just seem a perfect tool for observation, power / pipeline inspection in fact anywhere where STOL is enough rather than VTOL and of course they are very capable in windy conditions.
They just seem a perfect tool for observation, power / pipeline inspection in fact anywhere where STOL is enough rather than VTOL and of course they are very capable in windy conditions.
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In my view the issue has been the lack of a suitably capable design. The Wallis machines are very good at what they are good at, but times have changed and the days when it might have been acceptable to send service personnel aloft in such minimal aircraft are probably long gone.
The current sport aircraft are pretty good, but in the UK they operate on permits so aerial work (other than flying instruction) isn't allowed. I understand that they are being used in other countries for observation etc - but how serious that use is or whether it is trials inflated by a bit of marketing hype I don't know. There are, for example, a few of the current European machines on trial in the US with Police departments.
There is at least one project running to produce a viable commercial gyroplane - if that succeeds then we may see gyros replacing helicopters in some roles.
The current sport aircraft are pretty good, but in the UK they operate on permits so aerial work (other than flying instruction) isn't allowed. I understand that they are being used in other countries for observation etc - but how serious that use is or whether it is trials inflated by a bit of marketing hype I don't know. There are, for example, a few of the current European machines on trial in the US with Police departments.
There is at least one project running to produce a viable commercial gyroplane - if that succeeds then we may see gyros replacing helicopters in some roles.
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First Flight in Gyro
I flew in this aircraft for the first time also at the fantastic Shobdon Food and Flying festival. I've had a PPL for nearly 30 yeras and flown all sorts of aircraft and have to say this was great. Well worth a look in terms of both flying and operating costs.
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They just seem a perfect tool for observation, power / pipeline inspection in fact anywhere where STOL is enough rather than VTOL and of course they are very capable in windy conditions.
Not only chemical, but also biological, where you need much less weight to carry.
Recently, the Polish company Aviation Artur Trendak is testing such application
in cooperation with Polish and Czech universities.
Aviation Artur Trendak | Testy Trichogramma
Aviation Artur Trendak | Testy Trichogramma 2
Also traditional chemical spraying is possible.
Aviation Artur Trendak | Próby opryskiwaczy
The tank under the cabin can carry up to 150 l.
I flew in this aircraft for the first time also at the fantastic Shobdon Food and Flying festival. I've had a PPL for nearly 30 yeras and flown all sorts of aircraft and have to say this was great. Well worth a look in terms of both flying and operating costs.
Recently the ZEN1 by Aviation Artur Trendak was presented at the UK Aero Expo in Sywell.
Aviation Artur Trendak | UK Aero Expo - Sywell
The fundamental problems are now understood and more modern aircraft have them designed out again. As a long term helicopter pilot I can appreciate that a properly designed, modern gyrocopter is very well suited to some roles (such as aerial observation) and could do it at much lower cost than helicopters.
manufacturers.
The new Europen regulations allow for MTOW of 560kg, which makes the class
much more interesting for professional use.
At the European Helicopter Show in Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic) the new
560 kg ZEN1 was presented for the first time.
Aviation Artur Trendak | Europejskie targi wirop?atów
I think, all the new models of the major gyroplane manufacturers, with
side by side, helicopter or car like cabins, higher useful load will
gradually take over the market from other ultralight aircraft.
Year 2012 was the first year in the history where gyroplane outsold the
fixed wing ultralight aircraft in Germany. I thing, this is a tendency to continue.
In most cases, not automatically - they are generally sub-ICAO aircraft, which means that they need to be approved separately in each country. However, it's generally accepted that the UK has the highest design standards globally for sub-ICAO aircraft, whether those are microlights, gyroplanes, or something more exotic. So, I'd anticipate that most of the new generation gyros are being designed with at-least one eye on BCAR Section T and thus should be relatively easy to obtain UK approval for.
G
G
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ghengis
in the statistics how many were saved from death by wearing helmets, fireproof numptie suits and nomex gloves?
serious question actually.
W8 who flies in ordinary clothes with the smell of avgas on the hands.
in the statistics how many were saved from death by wearing helmets, fireproof numptie suits and nomex gloves?
serious question actually.
W8 who flies in ordinary clothes with the smell of avgas on the hands.
G
Gyros at Wick | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Nine French gyros at Wick - they had flown from Plockton. 13 July 2013.
I can't get the pic to display. One of the open cockpit guys said he was frozen, despite a suit, while I'd been warm in short sleeves, no jacket, for 1 hour at 2-3000' in the Jodel cockpit.
(There are 8 in the pic - the other one was refueling)
Nine French gyros at Wick - they had flown from Plockton. 13 July 2013.
I can't get the pic to display. One of the open cockpit guys said he was frozen, despite a suit, while I'd been warm in short sleeves, no jacket, for 1 hour at 2-3000' in the Jodel cockpit.
(There are 8 in the pic - the other one was refueling)
Last edited by Maoraigh1; 18th Jul 2013 at 21:23. Reason: Numeracy
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There is a very good information page on all the gyrocopter manufacturers
by a UK enthusiast:
http://gyro-gyros.********.co.uk/
Also on the Xenon and ZEN1 gyrocopters:
http://xenongyroblog.********.com/
and gyrocopter accidents:
http://gyroaccidents.********.com/20...ents-2012.html
For some reason the forum editor replaces the word "b l o g s p o t" with ********.
Try to edit it back in your browser address window,
when you wish to open these pages.
by a UK enthusiast:
http://gyro-gyros.********.co.uk/
Also on the Xenon and ZEN1 gyrocopters:
http://xenongyroblog.********.com/
and gyrocopter accidents:
http://gyroaccidents.********.com/20...ents-2012.html
For some reason the forum editor replaces the word "b l o g s p o t" with ********.
Try to edit it back in your browser address window,
when you wish to open these pages.
Last edited by Ptkay; 19th Jul 2013 at 11:25.
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Answer to W8;
Re helmets, suits etc;
Gyroplane accidents broadly speaking fall into two categories;
1. Not survivable no matter what you are wearing.( loss of control at height).
2. Little or no injuries, again more or less regardless of protective gear. (Landing and takeoff accidents, rollovers, etc, which, while very spectacular,
wreck the machine but not the pilot.)
There is a third category emerging recently, of accidents in the initial climb,
due to inadequate climb speed, (poor training or poor understanding of the
power-required curve) where moderate injuries are likely.
In these accidents, protective gear is probably helpful, particularly helmets.
The first category is declining with the advent of pitch-stable machines.
The second seems fairly static.
The third has been to some degree recognised by the CAA, and hopefully
by the training organisations.
Being by nature a cautious person, I wear an inner layer of cotton clothing,
a four-point seat-belt, and a helmet.
I am sitting on the fuel-tank, after all.
Gyros are more complex than they look, but great fun.
Gyroplane accidents broadly speaking fall into two categories;
1. Not survivable no matter what you are wearing.( loss of control at height).
2. Little or no injuries, again more or less regardless of protective gear. (Landing and takeoff accidents, rollovers, etc, which, while very spectacular,
wreck the machine but not the pilot.)
There is a third category emerging recently, of accidents in the initial climb,
due to inadequate climb speed, (poor training or poor understanding of the
power-required curve) where moderate injuries are likely.
In these accidents, protective gear is probably helpful, particularly helmets.
The first category is declining with the advent of pitch-stable machines.
The second seems fairly static.
The third has been to some degree recognised by the CAA, and hopefully
by the training organisations.
Being by nature a cautious person, I wear an inner layer of cotton clothing,
a four-point seat-belt, and a helmet.
I am sitting on the fuel-tank, after all.
Gyros are more complex than they look, but great fun.
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There is growing tendency to enclosed, tandem or side-by-side gyroplanes.
The newest constructions like ZEN1 by Aviation Artur Trendak,
or Cavalon by Auto-Gyro GmbH have monocoque, safety cage like cabins.
The helmet is not of much use in this case, but 4 point seat belts are a must.
There have been several accidents of the kind described above, where
the machine cartwheeled, but the pilot within the cabin remained uninjured.
On top of that, in ZEN1 the fuel tank is within the safety cage,
away from the engine and it's parts, so never heard of fire after
any incident with this type of machine.
Open frame gyroplanes are another story, helmet is a must,
also with a good visor rather than goggles.
When you fly a gyrocopter, you grin all the time,
and visor protects not only your eyes, but also your teeth.
The newest constructions like ZEN1 by Aviation Artur Trendak,
or Cavalon by Auto-Gyro GmbH have monocoque, safety cage like cabins.
The helmet is not of much use in this case, but 4 point seat belts are a must.
There have been several accidents of the kind described above, where
the machine cartwheeled, but the pilot within the cabin remained uninjured.
On top of that, in ZEN1 the fuel tank is within the safety cage,
away from the engine and it's parts, so never heard of fire after
any incident with this type of machine.
Open frame gyroplanes are another story, helmet is a must,
also with a good visor rather than goggles.
When you fly a gyrocopter, you grin all the time,
and visor protects not only your eyes, but also your teeth.
Last edited by Ptkay; 24th Jul 2013 at 08:46.
