Vertical Decent in a Gyrocopter

This is a zero airspeed vertical "spinning" decent in an open Gyro. Starting at about 2200 feet and pulling out of the vertical at about 1000'. Then the rest of the way to landing.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Gyro
• gyrocopter
• vertical
• decent

[nvdwarriorLtc]

A serious question from an old helicopter pilot....what prevents you from overspeeding the rotor in non powered descent? No collective to pull in to prevent one...so do you prevent it by not getting into an overspeed?

[rsbiser]

The "non powered" descent is really no different than a normal power on descent.

If you watch the video and look closely at the panel, you can see that rotor RPM (dig read out - middle left) never really gets over 320. That's pretty normal rotor speed for a gyro. About the only time you get into trouble with overspeed is when you pull out sharply from a steep dive and really load the blades. The vertical descent I was doing here doesn't load them up much at all. Hope that helps.

[ijagcwmw]

what does it cost per hour to operate your gyro at cruise?

[rsbiser]

I burn about 4.5 gal/hr. And that is mixed with 2 cycle oil. So by my calculations, taking into account only direct operating cost (fuel & oil) it's about $15 per hour. That does not include any reserve for repairs, annual inspections, engine overhaul, hangar space, etc.) I don't think I want to figure all of that out. Might scare me.

[ijagcwmw]

do gyros get beat up as bad by thermals as FWs do? i have a pilot's license but i kept getting sick in a cessna 152.

[rsbiser]

No. Gyros (at least Center Line Thrust gyros, tend to fly right through rough air with very little notice. I love to go fly in the middle of a thermally day when all of my powered paraglider and untralight buddies are sitting around waiting on the calm of evening.

[sbiser]

You can do either. I find it more fun to spin slowly. And, this technique could actually be used in an emergency, if you had to get into a really tight hole in the middle of a forest or something. The spinning might be necessary to get into the wind or assess other options. I'm really just supposing here but I don't know any reason to say that you should only spin or only remain in one direction. Hope that hleps.

[Aviator168]

Why were you slowly spinning? Shouldn't you be just point in on direction?

[browing1974]

Awesome,you are really get fun from the gyroplane! And it seems the gyroplane can really do something that airplane can't.

[nvdwarriorLtc]

Rs..thanks for the response. I did forget that a gyro is not a driven rotor system as in a typical helicopter...however...I can count the number of times I have watched rpm increase during right turns.......but with a gyro, you are always in powered flight with the pusher prop which helps to 'produce' lift from the rotating blades. You are a brave man sir....I loved autorotations, but only when I was sitting on the inside of the chopper!

[pheenix42]

Now THAT'S a short-field landing! 8-)