BRC 540 Coupe

[Chiefmole999]

Hello all from a new member in Bath - UK. I'm very seriously contemplating placing an order for a factory finished Barnett autogyro kit - a BRC 540 to be precise. I have a regular journey of 100 miles to make around London, and it's routinely 4 hours by car!

The BRC 540 would seem to meet my key needs of safety, side by side seating, fast speed and an enclosed cabin. I wonder if anyone here has any experience of flying or buidling this machine?

I have also looked into the safety issues surrounding autogyros, and it seems that this one (as far as I can tell) has avoided most of the pitfalls like centreline thrust and good horizontal and vertical stabilization. Are there any other issues that I should know about that the Barnett isn't so good on? I realise that it's a relatively expensive machine, but I'm happy to pay the price for the performance and safety, if that is indeed what I'm getting.

Anyone got any direct experience on how long it would take a reasonably competent person to build a factory finished kit of the BRC 540?

I'm going for the EJ25 single cam engine if that is still available, and a 5 bladed prop with a 2:1 reduction unit, and the new horizontal stab with upturns at the outer edges.

I'll be shipping the kit to the UK if I buy it, so any help in advance of making the final decision would be really helpful. I've already had some really useful feedback from a forum member that I e-mailed, but any other opinions would be really appreciated.

Regards Cheifmole999

[WHY]

Hi Phillip

Contact Ron Menzie (CFI) here on the forum

Tony

[dragonflyerthom]

Phillip

The only question I have is; Is the BRC 540 an approved gyro for the UK?

[Chris Burgess]

I have several hours in the 540 Coupe. Send me your direct email address at my email address listed on this post.

[landman]

If you are serious about a one hundred mile comute you may want to visit the ICP factory in Italy. It is hard to beat the Savannah stol. I have the ADV and fly interisland here in Hawaii. Check out the Savannah short take of on utube.

Martin

[Chiefmole999]

Hello, and thanks for your post about the Savannah STOL aircraft. I did have a look at it after your post, as I wasn't sure what sort of aircraft it was. I'm a glider pilot mainly, but thinking of converting partially to autogyro flying for the reasons given in my earlier post.

I think in England, with its very built up environment I particularly favour the autogyro - above both helicopters and fixed wing planes, because of the virtually zero roll landings that you can do. Engine failure in either a fixed wing or standard helicopter, is a serious business if you are low, or the weather is inclement. Autogyros whilst they may suffer from other problems have that inherent advantage. Engine failure is not that serious an issue, unless you're over a heavily built up area with NO flat open spaces whatsoever.

You also have to bear in mind that many accidents after engine failure result from spinning in, due to trying to stretch the glide by flying too close to the stall, to get into a suitably sized field. Autogyros don't suffer from that problem as it is very difficult to stall the rotor - if flown correctly. They also have a much more variable glide angle - like gliders, which makes putting them into small spaces much much easier and less likely to end in mishap.

They certainly would appear (if you buy the right design) to be a lot less prone to mechanical failure than helicopters. I think Autogyros have got a lot of bad rep because of the tendency for most to be amateur builds from either plans, or very basic kits. This is along with the fact that many of the designs (from what I read) don't appear to be very well thought out. I think these factors skew the figures immensely (and unfairly) against what I think is a fundamentally safe design when you compare like with like. It's a bit like comparing accident statistics per passenger mile for flying in a jumbo jet with walking - it just doesn't make sense as you are not comparing like with like.

So, I think for me it's definitely an autogyro - if I can be sure that the design I pick is indeed well researched, and based on sound aerodynamic principles, and built with top quality materials. Any feedback from people who are well versed in these matters would be exceedingly gratefully received.

Regards Chiefmole999

[tallgent]

I looked on the PFA Website and neither the Barnett or the Savannah are on their approved kit list (your build will have to be supervised by the PFA). Both the kits mentioned in the post would require Section T approval in the UK and to the best of my knowledge there aren't any US factory finished kits that meet Section T. Your best bet is to contact Colin Ponsford, who is the British Rotorcraft Association Engineering Liaison Officer ( c.ponsford@btinternet.com ) who will be able to advise you on what is available. Be prepared to receive a very short list! It is a completely different regulatory environment in the UK and nowhere near as liberal a regime as in the US.

Regards

Mike