Gyrocopter safety and reliability

[nekanoh]

I have been flying powered parachutes for the last 7 years and am thinking of buying a gyro. They seem pretty safe but my wife is not convinced. What are some of the worst mistakes a pilot can make while flying a gyro? Also, how secure are the rotary wings ? Do they ever just fall off?

[choppergabor]

The safest flying contraption ever created! Period. No rotor blades do not come off. The biggest mistake ever is thinking that your previous flying background makes you being able to fly a gyro. It won't! If you are a fix wing guy you need to learn disc management. If you are a heli guy you need to learn to take off and land in 2 dimensions LOL. Most of the trouble is amongst the ones who know it all and go out and take off in one without proper training. This is the safest aircraft EVER!!!

[Resasi]

What are some of the worst mistakes a pilot can make while flying a gyro?

The same mistakes any pilots makes when it kills him.

how secure are the rotary wings ? Do they ever just fall off?

Rotors have been known to come off, wings have been known to fail.

That said it is a seriously exhilarating way of aviating.

[birdy]

What are some of the worst mistakes a pilot can make
Listen'n to the wife.

[Timchick]

Find some gyros near you and go check them out. Don't listen to people who have no experience with gyroplanes. My EAA chapter had a pretty negative attitude about gyros when I first showed up with mine. Now they think they're pretty neat.

[Mike484]

Your probably not far from Tim O'Conner, Barnstorm2 here on the forum, it would do you a lot of good to contact him and make a visit. He is a CFI, VP of the Popular Rotorcraft Association, and just a great guy with a lot a knowledge about gyros.

[multimike]

Originally Posted by nekanoh

What are some of the worst mistakes a pilot can make while flying a gyro?

THE worst mistake would be your failure to get qualified instruction! I also agree with Gabor, gyros(with the right training) are the safest way to fly!

[nekanoh]

Thanks for all the posts. I agree that flying any aircraft without proper training would be foolish. It sounds like the proven designs are pretty safe. Is it ever recommended to have a Ballistic Recovery Chute installed?

[JAL]

From what I have been told PPCs in general and some specific models in particular (one make I know has never had a fatality in twenty plus years it has been in production and there are hundreds flying) have enviable safety record compared to the rest of aviation.

Gyros on the other hand have the worst safety record.

However Gyro flying can be just as safe as PPC if the pilot recognizes the risk factors involved and gets good training. There are well documented failures in gyro design and training that have contributed heavily to the poor safety record and modern gyros have evolved into safe aircraft. Also there is plenty of information on the various design faults and fixes for the older types still flying that have been upgraded.

What I am trying to say is that they are potentially one of the safest aircraft but the safety record suggest otherwise. We all think it is very safe but make sure if you get into them do so with your eyes wide open and you will be fine.

When compared to all other light aircraft the gyro provides the widest performance range allowing very slow flight but also provide good cruising speeds, highly maneuverable and are still flying in stronger winds after all the other LSA are packed away.

Thats just my two cents worth.

[jebthereb]

If you are a heli guy you need to learn to take off and land in 2 dimensions LOL

.

but taking off in three dimensions is so much more FUN!!!

[Heron]

Think about flying a rotary chute . . .almost the same when coming down!
You will fly on two bolts that requires several thousands of pounds to shear or come off, almost unheard . . .
Ballistic chutes are a possibility, but the window for usage is so narrow that makes them all but necessary!
Fly a little, learn a lot and go for it!
Heron

[barnstorm2]

Originally Posted by nekanoh

Thanks for all the posts. I agree that flying any aircraft without proper training would be foolish. It sounds like the proven designs are pretty safe. Is it ever recommended to have a Ballistic Recovery Chute installed?

Hello Mark!

Send me an email, I am always happy to talk gyroplanes. I can also take you for a short training flight in mine sometime. I hangar in Batavia.

Ballistic Chutes have been experimented with but because it is so very rare that rotor malfunctions happen, most people feel it is not worth the expense.

You might want to look into the PRA Sport Pilot Ground School for Gyroplanes that has a new session beginning in January.

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