Autogyros - commercial use

[GS-Alpha]

Zooming around with a camera on the nose really limits your options.

I'm not entirely sure 10-15mph classifies as zooming around and there's no vortex ring to worry about during slow flight, but I agree that autogyros will not be poaching a great deal of work back from drones. I do however think there are applications where they are more suitable than drones, and considerably cheaper than a helicopter.

[PANews]

Great picture of the Tomball gyro but even the cops get into trouble with these super safe craft it seems.... January 2014....

.... police gyrocopter crashed Thursday morning near Hooks Airport in northwest Harris County, officials said.
The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the 8800 block of Boudreaux, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the aircraft belongs to the Tomball Police Department.
It was unclear if anyone was hurt.

In contrast to that negative though it wold seem that it is going to be far easier to arrange a manned flight by something like a gyro than any unmanned system. Same number of pilots, they self deliver to the scene of the action and have a duration way longer than 30 minutes.

The only drawback seems to be that they are usually noisy and will not fit inside a building very well.....

[Pittsextra]

bigger issue might be where they fit. Cost isn't the issue for many customers who find the need to use a helicopter where many tasks are undertaken by twin turbines. Were cost the issue one might expect the first step change would be to downsize from the EC135 to an R44 for example. gyro wise payload and single engine only is a barrier whilst early adopters not only need the licence but then find a contract and fund a machine. Seems tough ask.

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by GS-Alpha

I'm not entirely sure 10-15mph classifies as zooming around and there's no vortex ring to worry about during slow flight, but I agree that autogyros will not be poaching a great deal of work back from drones. I do however think there are applications where they are more suitable than drones, and considerably cheaper than a helicopter.

I have to agree there has to be more cost effective methods of police aviation than the current highly expensive regime.

They were happy with a rented 206 and a constable 30 years ago but only launched for major issues.

Missing persons and stolen cars plus drunk drivers seems to be the business model now.

Here is a classic example of the Manchester Police not interested in a £17k scam involving one of their own!

Among the victims was a retired police officer who lost £17,000 buying a Mercedes from a seller in Rochdale.
He said he reported the incident to the police, but no action was taken. Police said the decision is being reviewed.
Former police officer Graham Murray lost his money after buying a Mercedes C-class in Rochdale two months ago, leaving him "devastated".
He said he reported the case to police and has questioned why the fraudulent eBay sellers have not yet been caught.

Cloned cars sold in Greater Manchester eBay scam - BBC News

Too busy wasting big money on low life helicopter baiters that never get a custodial sentence.

[Photonic]

Originally Posted by GS-Alpha

I'm not entirely sure 10-15mph classifies as zooming around and there's no vortex ring to worry about during slow flight, but I agree that autogyros will not be poaching a great deal of work back from drones. I do however think there are applications where they are more suitable than drones, and considerably cheaper than a helicopter.

I can only comment from the aerial photography/cinematography angle, based on that video above. That's what I did for a living before I retired -- camera operator and director, non-pilot, the guy that pays the helicopter charter fees.

I just don't see it filling that very narrow niche between a camera drone for low-budget gigs, and a helicopter for larger and well-financed productions. It's neither fish nor fowl.

[Heli20A]

Hi there,

I would just like to add that I fly Autogyros and feel a lot safer when flying a gyro than when flying a helicopter. And I feel very safe when I fly a helicopter!

Here's a video of a flight I made, taken by the passenger of an other autogyro



As for commercial use, I can't really pronounce myself as I only do sightseeing-tour/training.
I can say for sure that it's an incredible, stable, aerial platform; which is able to do slow flights (30km/h at max gross weight) at very low heights with the event of an engine failure in mind.
I've taken a professional photographer on several flights (who's used to work with the Astar) and he was bluffed and extremely satisfied !

You can find a picture of the autogyro I fly on my website : Volerencorse.fr

[Mikey66]

All the above has given me stuff to ponder on. Maybe there is just a niche area from them (as greater range/endurance then drones and cheaper then helicopters but the big players don't seem the mind the extra cost as someone pointed out). Only major disadvantage I can see is that they can not hover (appear 'safe' nowadays plus can't see them being any more noisy then other small/light aircraft), maybe payload limited but can carry more then a drone and as 'kit' becomes smaller and power increases.... To be honest, I don't know too much about gyros and never flown in one but trying to look beyond their obvious uses, plus there's the fun aspect ☺

[ethicalconundrum]

I built, and flew a Bensen B8-M back in the 80s. It was pretty fun, but really, you are sitting on a canvas sling seat, with a few bars below you and a noisy as heck 2 stroke drone engine and prop right behind you. Back then, it was incredibly rough and shaky. I tried to balance out the blades a couple times, and it was slightly better, but most of the vibration was developed from the pusher 2 stroke, and the prop disk passing through obstructed air around the pilot and the airframe.

I heard of a couple of people a while back using them for pipeline patrol. Not sure why they didn't use a Cessna/Maule or something with observer doors.

I didn't put many hours on mine before finding out that it wasn't the safest bird every designed. Power push over was only one failing. There was also the short coupling of the CG to rudder distance, low moment of inertia and as I got better at flying it, noticed the gyroscopic effect of the rotor disc caused some interesting torque effects on the stick and rudder forces.

The poor thing I had sucked fuel like a turbine. Slow flight was fine, right up until it wasn't and then things got ugly very quick. Can't really see much of a mission for them, but I had a good time. New ones look much better.

[surely not]

I think a few guys on here are doing the equivalent of comparing an early 1900's Ford Model T with a modern Ferrari.

Modern gyrocopters are a million miles away from the early machines and MTO and Magni have a comprehensive range of models, from open cockpit to enclosed cabin. They are a available with a glass cockpit and are less noisy than an R22.

If you want to see what they are capable of just go to YouTube and view a couple of the videos made by gyrocopter girl.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-4Y727dY4M

[BOBAKAT]

Many years ago, i run successfully my own gyro company with à M 16 Magni in BORA BORA Island (French Polynesia).
Aerial picture/video and tours... I stop it when i move in Thaïland.

[Roger Thatmate]

Mikey66

PM me if you want to know about potential commercial work for Gyroplanes. I am unable to PM you, probably because I have rarely posted on prune before and my account has been dormant for years!

Cheers

[Gyro London]

Gyro Comercial Use

Originally Posted by Roger Thatmate

Mikey66

PM me if you want to know about potential commercial work for Gyroplanes. I am unable to PM you, probably because I have rarely posted on prune before and my account has been dormant for years!

Cheers

Hey Roger Thatmate, I am very interested to hear of potential commercial uses for Gyros as I am just about to start my training for the CPL(G).

[Spunk]

So there is a CPL(G)?
Never heard of it before🤔

[GS-Alpha]

It's fairly new.