Gyroplane studies

[Heron]

Can an engineer, fresh out of the University, design a gyro?
My question arises from the fact that, all these years, we find out that, there are a handfull of people in the world that can do it successfully.
Is there a way to create an especific course that will certify someone as a gyro designer? A tech level course?
My guess is that, around this Forum and the PRA, the core of gyro creating is gathered.
What do you guys think?
thanks
Heron

[hillberg]

No.:suspicious: You need some one steaped in what ever he is doing, An inkling of what the ART is,I have met meny an engineer that was school smart but was a hazzard on every thing he touched.:spy: and aviation is an art,Metal arts,wood working,sculpting,and a host of other skills. School is a nice start...But its more than what is thought at any level:Cry:

[Alan_Cheatham]

The question becomes one of why would a student pay for a course in gyro design when there is there is little need for gyro designers from industry.

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[Heron]

Alan:
That is a death sentence to our hobby.
I was talking to some guys from the local University, they are racking up awards in the SAE contest in the US. As the know nothing about gyroplane, my question was about who and when someone can get schooled in gyrodynamic.
Hillberg
Manufacturing a gyro is not a big problem, if you get a good design, fabrication technics vary and have plenty of places to learn and get a diploma about it.
Most gyros were designed by aeronautical engineers on a trial an error system, but today we have plenty of literature but no certification or add-on to it.
Guys building experimentals here are good but don´t have a way to document the trade.
Think the whole experimental aviation, it is growing very fast.
thanks
Heron

[skier]

Colleges teach the basics, they don't teach all the details. Those you get from working for years in a specific field.

Could students design a good gyro? Sure, but it's going to take longer, cost more, and not be as nice of a product in the end.

What you really need to design a gyro is a collection of people. Grab one of Bell's top aerodynamics engineers, a great structural engineer with Sikorsky, a senior designer from MD helicopters, one of the best manufacturing engineer with Kaman, etc. You need to get them to learn about the differences between helicopters and gyros and then you need them to apply their knowledge.

[Heron]

. . .or join the PRA and this Forum . . .
Heron

[Alan_Cheatham]

Alan:
That is a death sentence to our hobby.

The key word here Heron is HOBBY.

Industry and demand determines what type and how many engineers are needed, someone with a degree in gyroplane design would find it very hard to make a living in such a low volume market as sport gyro flying. How many all new gyros do you think just one person would get paid to design in their lifetime, maybe 5?

As a comparison look at the number of flight instructors, just a hand full because demand doesn't make it profitable to have more.

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[Heron]

Been here for the last 10 year (already?) I know lots about gyros, but can we find a way to certify who is learning this trade?
I know people take courses on dry wall and that will grant a certificate.
Heron

[kolibri282]

A gyro is a compound helicopter in autorotation. There is no difference in the aerodynamics of the rotor and the stability calculations for the whole ship, so anyone with a degree in helicopter design would be able to build a satisfactory gyro, if the gyro bug bites and he/she delves into the huge amount of research available he/she would even have no trouble making it an excellent one. As Alan pointed out the question rather is one of who will pay for the effort.