Two interesting reports from UK

[PTKay]

In the September Bulletin of AAIB:

http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Rotorsport%20UK%20MT-03,%20G-TATA%2009-09.pdf


http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Rotorsport%20UK%20MT-03,%20G-CFAI%2009-09.pdf

[PTKay]

Safety Recommendation 2009-082

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority amend the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements, Section T to make optimum use of energy absorbing materials in the construction of gyroplane seat structures, to reduce the possibility of spinal or other serious injuries to an occupant in a minor crash landing.

Safety Recommendation 2009-083

It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority promote the benefits of fitting energy absorbing seating foam to microlights and gyroplanes.

[ferranrosello]

Thanks for these reports. I have one comment to do to the first one. I can't believe that best gliding speed in a MT with two people on board is 45 mph. I usually fly an Ela and the best twin gliding speed is about 73 mph. It is not strange that they performed a very hard landing... The minimum speed required to have an effective flare with two people on board is 50 mph. And the reasonable speed for a normal human being (not a super pilot) is 60 mph.

I don't know what the source of that figures is, but I’m sure they are very wrong...

Ferràn

[twistair]

I can't believe that best gliding speed in a MT with two people on board is 45 mph.

Current POH for MTO gyros tells:

"Die Geschwindigkeit des besten Gleitens beim MT‐03 beträgt 90 km/h.
Die Geschwindigkeit des besten Gleitens beim MTOsport beträgt 100 km/h."

May it be that AAIB guys meant 45 mph as a speed for minimum descent? - It may differ from best glide ratio speed.

[GyroDoug]

I think these accidents and the subsequent recomendations made show a very real value to the landing gear design on the Butterfly Line of Gyros. The G-Force Landing gear will allow a steep decent with a 15 mph forward speed and still absorb all the energy of the landing with no damage or stress to the machine or pilot. Not that we condone flying without enoough fuel to get to where you are going, but when crap happens or when a pilot doesn't do his job properly, the landing gear can save the day (and the machine and the pilot)

Being a Belt and Suspenders kind of guy, I have also used 2 inches of Confor Foam glued to my seat tank and then covered with an upholstered seat cover. Not only is it very comfy, it will help protect my bodyt in the event that I come down harder than I should. These are safety features that could be built into any Gyroplane. Although I understand it might be easier to just buy a Butterfly Gyro to get the G-Force landing gear than to try to design your own version of it. But I am sure there will be people starting to copy the design on their own Gyros as they understand the value of such a system.