How can you make money with a gyrocopter
 

I was just wondering what the legal uses for a gyrocopter in a business ?? (united states)

I seen video of them being used for agricultural spraying in other countries , but I don't think it is legal in the states

SO, just wondering what ideas have passed through forum members minds in the past and what the laws are regarding gyrocoters in the business world !!

In the U.S. an Experimental Gyroplane or experimental aircraft of any kind can NOT be used for compensation or hire. So you can not get paid for the use of a gyro.

Exceptions to this are either a LODA to be able to use the Gyro for training purposes. Or a waiver from the FAA to be able to use it for compensation or hire. So far I know of no gyro's that have received a waiver to be able to charge for it's use.

As far as a crop sprayer. You are free to use it to spray your own property or any one else's for that matter as long as you do not charge for it.

As Chuck has posted, Experimental aircraft are not allowed to be used for commerical puroposes except with very special permission from the FAA.

There are a few vintage certified gyroplanes (A&S 18a, and J2) but they are costly to run and maintain.

If you want to do further research you might want to not use the term 'Gyrocopter".

The FAA's offical term is Gyroplane and the inventor used the term autogyro.

When researching laws I suggest using the term gyroplane.

Even though even a few FAA circulars and NTSB reports still screw up the word "Gyrocopter" is a specific brand of autogyro made by the Bensen Aircraft Company.

Autogyro is the ideal term, since that was what the inventor wanted them called, but if you look at an FAA license you are granted the right to fly gyroplanes not gyrocopters just like you an get a license to fly airplane single engine land not piper single engine land.

Depending on what you would dream up to make money with gyros, you might also need to make sure the pilot is a commerical pilot with the correct medical for the commerical work to be done.

I often daydream about finding a way to make a living flying gyros.

So far the only people I know that have been successful muster cows in Australia.

People that train for a living do so more for love of the sport and the people then to actually have something to take to the bank.

I used to love computers until I started doing it for a living, so maybe it is a good thing that I do not try to make a living flying?

.

1 - Buy a good trainer
2 - Move to Brasil
3 - Have lots of fun
Heron

money making opportunities w/gyro.
 

I have of heard of some that use a gyro to provide a serivce, then receive a service in return. I don't think that's legal.... Have heard of some who work for cash only, nothing is recorded and no receipt is given. I don't think that's legal either....

I guess there is the possibility of buying low and selling high, that's legal. Stay safe, (and legal) my friend. MJD

Municipal government agencies are specifically exempt from many of the FAA rules. They can use experimental aircraft to do whatever they want. Heck, their pilots don't even have to be rated by FAA standards.

Hi William:

First let me say there is a difference between "making money with the gyroplane" versus "legal uses of a gyroplane." As indicated, you're not allowed to use a gyroplane for commercial gain, but (and I'm not a lawyer) there may be some things you can do to gain greater utility from your gyroplane which may be legal. Here are some suggestions that may enhance it’s value and utility. All of them are personal and non-commercial activities.

Senic aerial photography and low level panoramics (hobby photography)
Fly-bys and static display at airshows and airports (free)
Delivery of personal items, parts, and equipment from point A to point B
Remote camping
Santa Claus arrival flights (free)
Rural and remote area transportation
Volunteer aerial surveillance, search, and rescue as a public service
Personal property patrolling & surveying
Herding of your own stock
Game spotting, fish spotting for your own benefit.
Volunteer aerial observation post for disasters, fires, flooding, as a public service
Personal property aerial inspections, surveys, and predator control
Volunteer fleeing felon aerial surveillance as a public service
Volunteer aerial surveillance for lost, missing and foul play victims, et al
Aerial documentation of environmental issues on your property or surrounding areas
Aerial documentation of your home being built (a visual progress log)
Cross country exploration (day or weekend trips)
Group flying and gyro-trekking
Personal aerial surveying for a new home (Wow! There’s where I want to live!)
Remote area sports transportation (skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, climbing, etc)

I remember years ago there was a blacksmith that owned a Bell helicopter. He would load an anvil and other smithy tools on it and fly to the different ranches to shoe the horses. He didn't charge for the helicopter, just for the black smithing. But I think he might have mentioned the helicopter expenses when he submitted his business taxes (better check with your tax attorney if you try this).

I believe the key to making your gyro cost-effective is greater utilization of it. Others may have additional suggestions.

Dave

The best way to use a gyro to make money: sell it.

Read the limatations as issued to the machine, It reads what your limits are, Then make a list that does not violate those limits. Watch the FSDO inspector pull what's left of his hair out.

FAR 91.319 doesn't quite say what every one here is assuming to be the rules. It doesn't say "you can't use an EXP for compensation or hire" as is commonly believed to be the law. Subsection (a)(2) actually prohibits "carrying persons or property for compensation or hire," and that's not quite the same thing. There are many uses that can be envisioned in which one makes a buck but doesn't provide transportation for people or goods.

Your operating limitations on your particular aircraft may be more stringent, but the FAR allows more room than many realize.

(Of course, you could always buy an A&S 18A like I fly . . . )

Thanks for pointing that out. We seem quick to blur the rules in both more restrictive and less restrictive directions.

Among the legal ideas that come to mind are advertising on gyroplanes. Many CFIs do it now. Ken Brock did it to promote his manufacturing business.

I can't find anything in the FAR that would restrict on-aircraft advertising using an experimental. If your contract required the aircraft be flown as part of the deal, that might be a gray area.

I know this has been said before but, if you want to make a small fortune in aviation, start with a large one.

I see

I was thinking along the lines of aerial/video surveillance of commercial property ????

No riders just a video camera and a gyro used as a security patrol

they are paying for the security drive by-- what difference would it make what vehicle was used??

I know if a group buys the gyro and splits costs to use it to spray a small group of farms you can charge for hanger fees maintenance fees and testing of equipment. This can add up and some oil companies are looking into owning the gyros with free flight testing and observation but not commercial use so to speak. Total cost of gyro 250000 under a contract for testing. Contract renews every 2 years.

Have a 1/2 Filipino daughter

Thought of going back for training and to let her see her roots

Found out pretty fast Asia needs CFI's

I suggested that to a guy who is a commercial pilot and wanting to be based out of the Philippines because his father and GF are there.

he is not far off of a CFI now so it would be very doable for him

not to mention the prospect of being one of a few Gyro rep's in Asia if things went right for him !!