4+ passenger gyrocopter

[amygrant]

Hi,

I'm trying to find a company that manufactures a gyrocopter that can carry 4+ passengers. I have discovered Groen's Arrowhawk and the Sycamore 5 made by Chayair.

Am I missing something or is that all there is? I'm surprised at how small the industry is.

[Steve McGowan]

Has recently sign on with China to build MULTY PASSENGER GyroPlanes.

I was getting checked out in the HAWK 4, soon to be the HAWK 5, a few years ago while working with GBA..

It is an AWSUMMM machine...

Steve

[aerobatic]

Auto-gyro GMbH is working on a version of a Cavalon with 4 seats.

Maher

[scottessex]

Who owns the Hawk now?

[jcarleto]

There has been one "monster gyro" built as a passenger liner. Google Fairey Rotodyne or watch this video:

Fairey Rotodyne - YouTube

Politics changed in Britain at the time of its manufacture and the new regime killed most of the projects of the old regime. It was a casualty of the political change.

You are right, though. It is a remarkably small industry/community. The size of the pilot base has a tendency to limit development. It would be difficult to develop and market a larger, more expensive machine to such a small audience and with any expectation of financial success. Perhaps there is hope overseas for such an enterprise, but I think it will have to work there before it comes here.

[gyronutjoe]

I would love to see a modern version of the Rotodyne.

[mcbirdman]

Hi Amy,
Just curious. Did you find autogyros of interest to you because of safety? Are you needing to go a long distance in a short time? Usually what is attractive is the safe handling and ability to make emergency landings in less than ideal conditions.

That is a very strong attribute especially for those who don't like to travel alot in small airplanes. It especially doesn't hurt that they can handle the weather better than a similiarly sized airplane.

However, if you are used to going 130-180 mph to another city it may take a bit longer because most enclosed gyros are still cruising in +the 80-90mph range.

So I am just wondering -are you wanting to hop around or do you need to go long distances and planning to keep to the schedule?

[amygrant]

Originally Posted by mcbirdman

...
So I am just wondering -are you wanting to hop around or do you need to go long distances and planning to keep to the schedule?

Hi Joe,

Not looking for speed but rather just something different. My brother-in-law has an eco-tour business and wants to be able to transport a family of 4 from their city to the countryside using these. He doesn't speak English though, so I'm trying to help him find a supplier.

[WHY]

Hi Amy

Well that would be 4 plus pilot and at the moment I know of no gyro manufactured that meets these specs and for sure none that would have any track record of performance.

I assume he is familiar with the performance and limits of the autogyro ??

Tony

[earthbnd misfit]

How does the rotodyne counter act torque? Is it using the thrust of the propellors?
JD

[WaspAir]

Originally Posted by earthbnd misfit

How does the rotodyne counter act torque? Is it using the thrust of the propellors?
JD

There is no torque.

When in powered rotor mode for vertical take off and landing (or hovering for sling loads, etc.) , the rotor is spun by tip jets that do not present a torque issue. When the tip jets are shut down, the rotor is unpowered in autorotation, and the aircraft's propellers provide the thrust for forward motion.

[Fly Army]

Originally Posted by WaspAir

There is no torque.

When in powered rotor mode for vertical take off and landing (or hovering for sling loads, etc.) , the rotor is spun by tip jets that do not present a torque issue. When the tip jets are shut down, the rotor is unpowered in autorotation, and the aircraft's propellers provide the thrust for forward motion.

Most witness from that era reported the noise of that craft to be deafening from as far away as 3/4 of a mile.

[WaspAir]

Yes, the tip jets were loud (it wasn't bad when they were shut down). There was a noise reduction research effort underway when the project was killed. I suspect strongly that technology exists today to reduce it to acceptable levels.

[mcbirdman]

Hi Amy,

Is your brother in law a pilot already? Does the eco tour already fly people in or is it something that he is wanting to add to his business? To fly from city to countryside would be 10-20 mile trip? Where would these flights take place? I see you are in Vegas but you said he doesn't speak english. Where would business be conducted?

Flying over flat desert terrain or jungle or something? It would certainly be a memorable way to travel. Depending on the circumstances such as terrain, distance, fare charged/available to cover costs the autogyro would be much less expensive than a heli but definately something to consider carefully.

[PTKay]

Check CarterCopters PAV.

4 seater jump take-off

http://www.cartercopters.com/