NTSB stuff

[Terry]

:flame: I was recently browsing the NTSB's records on gyroplane crashes and went back as far as 1980.

I did this to get a feel for which aircraft to avoid and which might be relatively safe.

What an eye opener. It seemed a large percentage of all crashes of gyroplanes in the USA involved RAF 2000s and Commanders, while the remainder were a sprinkling of all the major models.

Is there a reason for this?

It also seemed the more basic the gyroplane was, except for the older designs, the fewer crashes they had, with the Bees almost absent from the list.

Any input on this?

Terry Graham
:yo:

[bmoore2156]

Terry,
When you are doing your research, I would make sure you read about the conditions and pilot experiance before you make up you mind about a specific make/model. It's was not long ago when I was doing the same thing you are and when I got to looking closer at the reports, I found most of the accidents were pilot error.. As in they were trying to train themselves or were low time pilots.
When I first signed up here, my plan was to buy one and teach myself how to fly...
After reading the NTSB, I decided I wanted to live and figured good training would be the way to go.
Good luck!
Brad

[John Stahl]

Terry

I agree most were pilot error.

It was the pilot that was flying a gyro that had no horizontal stabilizer and had a high line thrust.

You have opened a wound here now watch the fire works fly.

John

[animal]

If you don't do anything else, get training. what you also have to keep in mind is alot of Air commands and RAF's where sold in the 80's and in all fairness it has not been that long ago that there really where no 2 seat trainers.

Also keep in mind what trainers there where, alot of pilots may not have even known about. alot of people tried to teach them self's and failed.

Also note the bee's are mostly ultralights and the crashes of them may not be reported.

But from what I have seen the bee's are proving to be a great little Gyro.

[EI-GYRO]

Terry, Keep reading this type of stuff, and draw your own conclusions.
Many of the comments you will read here come from people with an axe to grind,
including me, sometimes.
As you read the forum and acquire more gyro knowledge, you can revisit the
NTSB and re-assess your conclusions.
For my money, you are not far off in your current thinking.

Most accidents are due to pilot error. Question is, what was the error?, and
why was the error committed?.

[Terry]

:plane: All your answers were very helpful. I am probably a little all over the board too. I think what each of you have to say on the matter is valid.

D: All of the above

It is interesting to note that before the Air Commands heydey, Bensens were the killers, and to this day they still seem to take their toll. And there apparently were as many gyroplane accidents before the 80s as there were in and after, just a different set of aircraft in an era when CLT and HSs were not as understood or accepted.

However, even today there seem to be a bunch of RAFs, ACs and BM-8s on the NTSB reports. I can only assume they are craft which have not been upgraded to CLT.

It really isn't or wasn't my intention to place blame for this, but to really gain an understanding of it all, and you all have helped tremendously.

Thanks,
Terry Graham
:yo:

A little understanding and forgiveness goes a long way.

[bmoore2156]

I am pretty sure no one on here is going to tell you to buy a machine that is not CLT. I for one, have decided that I will not fly one. I think it would also be safe to say that you would have a very hard time finding a flight instructor in the northwest that would train in one.
I am sure someone will correct me here, but with the right upgrades, all gyro's can be safe/safer.
Is there any one in particular that your leaning towards?
Brad
Oh yeah... The PRA 73 meeting is this Saturday in Scappoose. I am planning on showing up for the meeting and to pick up my Rotors and Gimble head. Weather premitting, Jim Vanek is going to try and convert my Girlfriend.. She thinks they are go-karts with rotors.. Maybe a ride in the red Sport Copter 2 will change her mind...?? Maybe she will get scared and I will take her place.. I can only hope! :whoo: