Informative video about Gyroplanes
Found this video full of information, I think if you are thinking of getting another type of aircraft a Gyro Plane seems like a great toy. Is there anyone here who flies a Gyroplane? What are the best resources to learn about Gyros planes ?
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Get on the gyro forum...it's global and huge.
http://www.rotaryforum.com/
I've owned three gyros and have one now. I love them. They are more stable than any aircraft, and can fly in almost anything with very little effort. They fly like an airplane (that can't stall or spin) and almost nothing like a helicopter.
You simply must fly one...
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There are negatives though. They need loads of power, many of them have the 914 engine, and they drink loads of fuel, I have not even mentioned the purchase price. There are thousands of them here in France and I would love one if my budget and runway was bigger.
Yes, they take more power (less efficient but faster) and cost about the same as a trike...with the same engine. There are Part 103 rigs with MZ, 447, 503 and more capable non-part 103 singles with Macs, 532, 582, 618, 670. Two-seaters with 912, 914, Yamaha, Subaru, Honda, Suzuki, Mazda engines.
The undercarriage is about the same and a new rotor (not effected by UV) costs $2,500 - $3,500. So in some respects it's less expensive.
Abid flew to Oshkosh with his DJ trike and AG-1 gyro. Same speed and the gyro only burned slightly more fuel. Same price and engine. Of course the gyro is much better in wind and turbulence.
Here's his thread:
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41314
http://www.silverlightaviation.com/
If I was to buy a new gyro today under $70,000 it would be the AG-1.
AG-1 Specs:
Empty Weight: 650 lbs (912ULS), 680 lbs (914UL)
Gross Weight: 1232 lbs
Style: Pusher, trigear, tandem seating
Minimum Speed (Vmin): 20 mph
Max Cruise Speed: 105 mph
Max straight and level speed (Vh), 914UL: 120 mph
General Cruise: 55 mph - 100 mph
Never Exceed Speed (Vne): 120 mph
Takeoff roll at ISA (calm air, short prepared grass, pre-rotate to 250 RRPM): 300 feet Landing roll: 0 to 30 feet with proper technique
Rate of Climb at sea level, ISA: 787 FPM (912ULS)/984 FPM (914UL)
Fuel: 16 USG
Rotor: Averso Stella, 27' 10"
Fuel burn to Oshkosh question I asked Abid:
How does the fuel burn compare between the AG and the DJ?
Airspeed?
Gyro burns more at same speed of course. Probably between 15 to 20 percent more. The best glide ratio in DJ-II Trike is 9.5:1 and that tells the whole story.
So the two aircraft (Trike & Gyro) flying side by side for several days and well over a thousand miles, the gyro burned 15%-20% more fuel.
Maybe now Abid can give us the exact fuel burn comparison data?
I cannot see the US market, but I can tell you that a decent Autogyro here in France costs at least 50% more than a top of the range Aircreation trike. Add on 20% more fuel and the longer runway required and my point is made.
That is not to say that I would not like one!
Bummer...they are the same price here....or nearly so.
Not that one is any better than the other...I like and own both (trike & gyro)...but enjoy my Turbine Helicopter too (my current favorite).
If I had to choose only one type aircraft I'd have to chose a gyro or helicopter over a Trike or FW.
But I like flying them all...
Thanks Cburg,
Isn't AG-1 a copy of MTO? In fact most Gyros seem to be a copy of the original MTO design. Even the tail feather, the rod connecteing the tail feathers to the main body, all of them have the same V shape like MTO. Why do you say you would buy an AG-1, why not Magni or MTO or any other brand?
Better rotor combo, lower less windy back seat (I dislike MTO back seats), other minor enhancements, I like the contour on the sides, more bang for the buck, better value.
And now they have this option:
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41664
Abid can elaborate.