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Gyrocopters: Gyroplanes, Autogyro, Home Built, Ultralight And Honeybee Gyrocopters For Sale
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Published: June 21, 2007
Often referred to as autogyros or gyroplanes, gyrocopters are a part of the rotorcraft family, whose most famous member is the helicopter. Unlike the helicopter, the blades are not powered. Instead, the gyrocopter relies solely on aerodynamic forces to keep it airborne when in flight. The unmotorized rotor on the top of an gyrocopter functions like the wings of an airplane, letting wind forces guide the aircraft.
Invented by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva in 1923, gyrocopters appear similar to helicopters, but the cockpit is open and the aircraft is more compact with a shorter tail.
Home built, ultralight, and honeybee are among the varieties of gyrocopters. Even though production petered out prior to World War II, fans of gyrocopters can take matters into their own hands.
Gyrocopters are categorized as ultralight aircraft. Ultralight can describe a number of aviation models falling under strict weight, fuel capacity and speed regulations. In the United States, for example, any ultralight aircraft powered by an engine must not weigh over 254 pounds when empty. The fuel tank can't exceed five gallons in capacity, and the aircraft must be incapable of surpassing 55 knots (around 102 kilometers per hour) when flying level at full power.
Ultralight gyrocopters were first pioneered by Aircraft Designs, Inc. Their model, the Bumble Bee, doesn't exactly break the sound barrier. But exceptions aside, the gyrocopter is not built with speed in mind. Designed and flown in 1983, the Bumble Bee is still one of the only ultralight gyrocopters on the market today.
Honeybee gyrocopters are a type of ultralight gyrocopter manufactured by Gyro Tech. Fittingly colored yellow and black, honeybees are sparse in appearance. They are composed of little more than a frame, engine, seat, two blades and a propeller. Honeybees attempt to retain the good parts of Gyro Tech's Gyrobee model while simultaneously taking it further.
Need transportation and want something off the beaten path? Multiple enthusiast websites have gyrocopters for sale. Home built gyrocopters are available, and kits sell for less than the price of a Honda Civic. The Pitcairn PCA-2 gyrocopter, for example, has a factory price of $15,000. Approximately 100 to 200 hours of labor will be required to assemble a home built gyrocopter.
Compared to other aviation aircrafts, the gyrocopter is relatively inexpensive to purchase and easier to assemble. But before the checkbook comes out, those eager to get into the hobby will need training. And while gyrocopters have a dedicated following, it's not a widespread hobby, so some traveling might be in order.
Sources:
Autogiro. U.S. Centennial of Flight Commissinon.10 June 2007.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictiona ry/autogyro/DI8.htm
Brock KB-2 Gyroplane Autogyro – N2303. Airventure Museum. 2007. 10 June 2007.
http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircr aft/Brock%20KB-2%20Gyroplane.asp
Gyroplanes. Aircraft Designs Inc. 10 June 2007.
http://www.aircraftdesigns.com/gyroplanes.htmlFAQ Questions. PRA Chapter 34 Indiana 2003. 10 June 2007.
http://www.prachapter34.com/MainFAQPage.htm
The Honey Bee Gyro. Ralph E. Taggart. 10 June 2007.
http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/gyro/hbee.htm
Part 103 Ultralight Vehicles. UltralightHomepage. 17 Dec. 1991. 20 June 2007.
http://www.ultralighthomepage.com/FAR.part103.ht ml
Invented by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva in 1923, gyrocopters appear similar to helicopters, but the cockpit is open and the aircraft is more compact with a shorter tail.
Related Articles
Gyrocopters are categorized as ultralight aircraft. Ultralight can describe a number of aviation models falling under strict weight, fuel capacity and speed regulations. In the United States, for example, any ultralight aircraft powered by an engine must not weigh over 254 pounds when empty. The fuel tank can't exceed five gallons in capacity, and the aircraft must be incapable of surpassing 55 knots (around 102 kilometers per hour) when flying level at full power.
Ultralight gyrocopters were first pioneered by Aircraft Designs, Inc. Their model, the Bumble Bee, doesn't exactly break the sound barrier. But exceptions aside, the gyrocopter is not built with speed in mind. Designed and flown in 1983, the Bumble Bee is still one of the only ultralight gyrocopters on the market today.
Honeybee gyrocopters are a type of ultralight gyrocopter manufactured by Gyro Tech. Fittingly colored yellow and black, honeybees are sparse in appearance. They are composed of little more than a frame, engine, seat, two blades and a propeller. Honeybees attempt to retain the good parts of Gyro Tech's Gyrobee model while simultaneously taking it further.
Need transportation and want something off the beaten path? Multiple enthusiast websites have gyrocopters for sale. Home built gyrocopters are available, and kits sell for less than the price of a Honda Civic. The Pitcairn PCA-2 gyrocopter, for example, has a factory price of $15,000. Approximately 100 to 200 hours of labor will be required to assemble a home built gyrocopter.
Compared to other aviation aircrafts, the gyrocopter is relatively inexpensive to purchase and easier to assemble. But before the checkbook comes out, those eager to get into the hobby will need training. And while gyrocopters have a dedicated following, it's not a widespread hobby, so some traveling might be in order.
Sources:
Autogiro. U.S. Centennial of Flight Commissinon.10 June 2007.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictiona ry/autogyro/DI8.htm
Brock KB-2 Gyroplane Autogyro – N2303. Airventure Museum. 2007. 10 June 2007.
http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircr aft/Brock%20KB-2%20Gyroplane.asp
Gyroplanes. Aircraft Designs Inc. 10 June 2007.
http://www.aircraftdesigns.com/gyroplanes.htmlFAQ Questions. PRA Chapter 34 Indiana 2003. 10 June 2007.
http://www.prachapter34.com/MainFAQPage.htm
The Honey Bee Gyro. Ralph E. Taggart. 10 June 2007.
http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/gyro/hbee.htm
Part 103 Ultralight Vehicles. UltralightHomepage. 17 Dec. 1991. 20 June 2007.
http://www.ultralighthomepage.com/FAR.part103.ht ml
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