Battle of the Enclosed Tandem Gyros

[CLS447]

Not that I am looking to buy one soon or anything (unless I hit the lottery )
but I thought we could start a forum comparison of the available enclosed 2 place tandem machines.

Also how they are to be sold , prices, build difficulty/time, & availability.

Partial kit availability, engine options, & how to make them more affordable.

First a list of machines......

1.Calidus http://www.auto-gyro.com/.........is this available in english? My German is a little weak !
2. The Chayair Sycamore http://www.chayaireurope.com/
3.18A Air & Space
4. Arrowcopter http://www.arrow-copter.com/home_en.html


What did I miss ??

If they all cost about the same, I would like to discuss the pros & cons of all models including even the way they look.

Anything you know or can add would be greatly appreciated !!

[WaspAir]

There aren't too many around but the Air & Space 18A is tandem seating. (And if you want to be really complete, you could add the McCulloch J-2 to the side-by-side list.)

[CLS447]

Thanks Wasp, I added them. I can't remember the one from S Africa I think...

The Sasafras or something. There is a guy in the states that has one. Uses Rotax 4 stroke .

I got it !!!! The Sycamore !!

Hey Maher, you could probably post some pics of the Calidus, or scan some sales literature. Or how about some pricing ?

[aerobatic]

Originally Posted by CLS447

Hey Maher, you could probably post some pics of the Calidus, or scan some sales literature. Or how about some pricing ?

Okay, here some pictures I take when I tried it the first time.

Maher

[Gyro_Kai]

Trixie: http://www.trixyaviation.com/en/5

[helipaddy]

http://www.dta.fr/JRo/indexJro.html

[Irishpilot]

For our law enforcement purposes I really like tandem seating. The French made JRo looks pretty cool...wonder what it cost and how it performs?

Mike

[CLS447]

The Calidus wins I guess.

[aerobatic]

Originally Posted by CLS447

The Calidus wins I guess.

Well, I wouldn't say that!

As I write it in another post; we need to consider all the options before declaring a clear winner.

I choose the Calidus because it's suited best my own criteria between the only available enclosed gyro right now in Canada. I can easily accept that another pilot would prefer more the Magni Orion or the Auto-gyro Cavalon if the side-by-side criteria was critical to him.

I would have loved to fly test a DTA J-Ro. But the aircraft is not yet approved in Canada and there is no dealer or school that could offer or train in it here for now...

Maher

[aerobatic]

Here some others pictures of the French DTA J-Ro from «Le forum de l'autogyre» :

[ckurz7000]

I don't know, but at some point they all seem to be made out of the same parts. Averso hub and blades, Magni-type prerotation, Calidus-style cabin and keel, etc, etc.

-- Chris.

[C. Beaty]

The most recent real innovation occurred when Bensen switched from the spindle head to the offset gimbal head in the 1960s.

Unless Flash Gordon wheel spats are counted as innovations.

[CLS447]

How's it going with this comparison ?

I don't think that too many are being sold in the US ?

[CLS447]

Pulled up my old thread........should have been "open" tandem machines.

The Magni has been available for a long time.......is the MTO a better machine ?

Which one is more expensive ?

Which one takes longer to build ?

[Fly Army]

Is it just me or does that J-RO look roomier (wider) than the Calidus ?