I've just watched this one......

YouTube - M24 ORION by Magni

and it convinces me more than ever I've got to have a go!!

this one isn't bad either:::

YouTube - Magni M24 Orion

Magni makes a great product, albeit very expensive.

I was disappointed to see American Gyrocopter (Groen Brothers) go out of business, as theirs were very good products, and they offered good training and support.

There does come a point of diminishing returns, however, when the simplicity and grace of the gyro can be overwhelmed by excessive cost.

The experimental world goes that way, too; homebuilding airplanes can be economical, but the whole business of homebuilding airplanes has lead to some that are far from affordable (though there are many great designs out there, and some with very exciting performance, too). I suppose it depends on your resources and what you're after, and I'm certainly not maligning Magni or any other manufacturer. There's no doubt that you get a great product in exchange for your hard earn pounds, dollars, euros, or whatever. Whether the cost of the exchange is worth it or not is entirely up to the user, but I think the simplicity of the gyro does take a bend away from it's true appeal when it begins to becomle too costly and complex.

Nice video.

Interesting perspective SNS3 - bear in mind I'm coming from flying a Cherokee6, burning 1 litre of Avgas a minute!! I'm now looking at what I might like to do next, and basically I see three choices:

1: get into another group like my old PA32 group, pay lots of money and do what I know

2: stay with fixed wing, but move to something more cost effective - I'm seriously looking at Flight Design CTLS

3: do something new - Autogyros really are starting to fascinate me - BUT - I already ride a motorbike, so I well understand being cold, wet and miserable! When I look at the Magni it does seem to start to combine the fun of the new, with "some" of the familiarity of the old

Anyone else in the same dilemma?

Give Mac Smith at Airbourne Aviation at Popham Airfield a bell. He teaches the NPPL G and has a number of students learning on it. Great little school and not too far from Ruislip.
I went up with Mac for 30 mins in it, just for a bit of fun and it was quite a ride!

Autogyros near Cheshire?
 

My Wife has bought me a trial flight in an autogyro. After I've experienced it and been hooked, is it possible to hire one or join a group?

Also, should I decide to get a license, how realistic is it to be proficient in 20hrs. (I hold a helo license)?

Thanks in anticipation.

Somewhat strangely you cannot hire one (once you have a licence). You would have to buy a "share" and also AFAIK you can't get hull insurance!

These things are likely to change at some point in the future as the overall accident rate for gyros is falling very quickly thanks to the influence of the "modern" gyros like the MT-03

Very interesting. I read the review in this month's LAA mag and was impressed. I have a PPL(A) and a PPL(H) - is that still 20 hours credit against a PPL(G)? Second question is where can I try one in the Midlands?

Flying a Gyrocopter in UK
 

Try Where to Fly this website for more info. I know these guys fly out of the Long Mynd Midland (Gliding Club) occasionally but they also have links to UK based instructors.

TerryWalsh

Proficency;
 

SFD, proficiency after 20 hrs should be no problem to a helo pilot.
Try to view it as a different aircraft type entirely.

Very easy to fly, and great fun.

A few bits of info
 

Just to clear up a few points:

• The CAA won't allow gyros to be rented in the UK, so post-PPL you need to look at either buying your own or joining a group. We are working with the CAA on allowing rental and they have agreed "in principle" but they are in no rush to implement
• Hull insurance is available but it isn't cheap (the market is small, the track record isn't there and there is only one supplier)
• There aren't any Instructors in the midlands, so you'll have to travel if you want to give it a go. Take a look here www.gyroflight.org for a list of who's where
• Licencing requirements are in LASORS - minimum training is 40hrs, you get a 10hr credit for a fixed wing / microlight licence and 20hrs for helicopters. You can't get more than a 20hr credit if you hold both!

Gyro activity in the UK falls in to two fairly distinct camps - the homebuilders flying single-seaters and the RAF 2000, and the factory-built fleet of MTs and Magnis. All the growth has been in the factory-built world, but the homebuilt stuff is still popular. I had a quick look at the numbers yesterday - there were about 29 new factory-built gyroplanes delivered in the UK in 2010, which is pretty good going for a niche market.

GyroSteve - thanks for the info. My interest would be in the factory built models as I wouldn't have the time to build another aircraft. I assume that I would have to do the 20 hours plus a rotorcraft specific tech exam as presumably my PPL(H) will exempt me from the other exams?

York is not too far away so I will go up there when the weather improves a bit and have a go.

Can anyone confirm that a NPPL (G) is possible, ie: GP signature medical? I thought one could only go the full PPL (G) with class 2 medical.

What's the total credit available?
 

Thanks for your replies guys. Look forward to the experience!

SFD

Hi Guys

To answer your questions:

• If you have a PPL(H) then the minimum training requirement is 20 hours (10 dual, 10 solo including 3 hours solo cross-country) plus a GFT. You will also need to take the Gyroplane Technical exam and there is an oral exam as part of the GFT
• The PPL(G) is a UK National PPL but it isn't an NPPL. However the NPPL medical is recognised for the PPL(G).

Regards

Steve

"Top Gear for Gyros"
 

The full version of "Top Gear For Gyros" is now on YouTube:

These machines are versatile and tremendous fly to fly!

I have recently flown in (on!?) an MT03 and a Magni M24, the latter being enclosed has a very civilised cabin, well equipped panel with plenty of room and outstanding visibility.

What struck me first was the rock solid,smooth stability even in very gusty conditions which can throw a GA aircraft and its occupants all around the sky. I think this is a very important feature on longish sectors particularly on a thermic summer day.

Allied to this is the ability to operate in wind conditions outside of the parameters of most small FW aircraft. If the wind is still a bit tricky, take off at an angle across the runway!

They are however generally slow compared with common GA types - making every journey 20% longer or so. BUT the view on the way is so much better!

I fly both SEP and 3 axis microlights and have flown large and small helicopters. The gyrocopter has the attributes of all of these in parts and its popularity should hopefully continue to drive costs down.

In time the hiring question should be resolved permitting non equity fly by the hour operations.

The ideal would be a version which is the equivalent of a cabriolet car. A fully enclosed canopy which is easily and quickly removed in fine weather to provide that authentic wind in your face experience!

I wish I was brave enough to fly one! They look great fun, but I'd go and kill myself in one.

Little Rissington
 

The Airfield is owned by the MOD. The hangers are managed by Devonair. Great place to store and aircraft etc. and I have had no problems with them. In fact very friendly people at Devonair.

However as for getting Gyro advice or maintenance carried out I found it very difficult if not impossible. The communication skills I have found seriously lacking. I am not referring to Devonair in this paragraph.

I look at it this way. If I am to get any maintenance or flying training carried out I need to address this question. "If they cant be bothered to communicate when they are probably looking to build up their gyro business and community, how will they behave when there is an enquiry regarding some issue or comeback?"

A gyro "manufacturer" not a million miles from LR has refused to communicate with me, when I would, in all probability have bought one of his machines.

After very close to 40 years of professional aviation trying to get back to basic fun flying I am at a loss as to my treatment and have never been blocked or "fixed" to this extent. If they actually grew some b:mad:s and told me what the problem was I would have some sort of understanding and not reduced to posting on a public website.

RAF 2000
 

Can anyone provide any insight into the safety characteristics of the raf2000 with horizontal stabiliser fitted?

Or for say £20k budget for a second hand machine should I forget 2 seat closed canopy configuration and go for something like a Merlin or Cricket instead?

Ken still looking for records