My Aero 2012 report

[Gyro_Kai]

Here it is, my Aero Report 2012.
I went on Friday, so most of the news already got around and I could focus on what I found interesting.
There are a lot of communalities in the Gyroplanes displayed. They were mostly dual seaters, propelled by a Rotax 912 ULS (100hp) or 914 (115hp max) engine. Only Rotortec was different here. The European regulations have limited the UL or Microlight airplanes to 450 kg (992 lbs) for dual and 300 kg (661 lbs) for single seaters. Some countries allow 560 kg (1235 lbs).

The first booth I came to was Autogyro-Europe, the current market leader. They displayed variations of their models. A Calidus with baggage pods. This was originally for mounting cameras but will soon be available with proper lids.

The MTOsport as Agro-Model for spraying (a recurring theme, as you will see later).

The Cavalon with a nose-mounted swivel camera and portable display.

They displayed some technical details in extra displays so you could have a good look at their excellent workmanship. You need to bring some money to the table, 55 000 to 75 000 Euros for the base model.


The big surprise was the announcement of a 4-seater. The problem, as always, is how to register this one.

Ok, I’m normally not for unsupported rumors, but this one I heard several times from different people: Allegedly there is a nude model (open frame) under development.
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[Gyro_Kai]

The flight simulator of last year was even further improved. Unfortunately the queue was forbidding.

A very bold copy-cat, who also made the appearance in the forum, presented their interpretation of the ELA/MTOsport theme. They even used original blades, which made the supplier a bit unhappy.

Raphael Celier was there also with the German distributor. We will hear more about his legal battle soon, I presume.

One great new idea was the BRS for the Autogyro. It shoots out to the side. The rope then goes up the mast (not the control rod as in this mock-up) and pulls a sling tight around the rotor head. Volunteers for the first tests are still desperately sought.


The airbag in the face is a great addition for this asset.


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[Gyro_Kai]

One Ela was displayed at a flight-school booth.

Magni now also has the M22 approved in Germany.

The M24 was there as well as the M16, one with the new Rotax engine, one with Agro-spray equipment.



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[Gyro_Kai]

Rotortec has sent in all the paperwork for approval of the Cloudancer 2. They were struggling with the cooling the 130hp Weber engine but now succeeded. The baggage compartment had to go, to allow for massive air inducts.


The behind became a lot rounder and nicer looking, the dashboard is more upright and allows more knee-room, now. The center screen belongs to a very fast computer as Efis.


The pre-rotator is hydraulic and you have the choice of 4 or 2 blade rotor.

The 4 blade lifts more, but is not as fast. It starts at 65 000 Euros, which makes it comparatively cheap, compared to the Cavalon.
Although it can go 160 kph (100mph) it feels more happy below at 130 kph (80 mph), where it consumes no more than an SUV (13 l or 3,4 gal/hr).
Also the single seater CD-light was on display, but still not FAR 103 ultralight.

The enclosed CD 1 was on display at the Hirth engine booth (see there).
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[Gyro_Kai]

Trixie, again showed their 2-seater which, from a partial mock-up last year, has grown into a full fledged production model. They passed the homologation process with flying colours in one year and already the first flight school is performing training in one. It happens to be in Mannheim, not far from me, so I am already planning a visit to try it out in the near future.

The roof of the cabin can be removed, making it an open model for the summer.


technical data is again similar to the other models, but the Vne is limited to 167 kph (105 mph) while the cruise speed is 160 kph (100mph).
A strange contraption could be seen in the corner of the Trixie display. This is a study to check the feasibility of a motorbike like seating position. Eventually this is going to evolve into a motorbike where you can detach the aviation stuff like rotor, prop and empennage and drive off with the rest. The pilot is strapped to the front like a bike tank bag. Let’s see, how that evolves.

Attachment 92609


Arrow copter was there, too, of course. They presented the kit-model as AC10 and the factory build as AC20.


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[Gyro_Kai]

Engines was a big subject again. D-Motors displayed their water cooled 4-cylinder, 4-stroke with most impressive figures. They can do a 912 equivalent installation at 20 kg less.

Goebler-Hirth presented several machines, the 70hp 3 cylinder, which is serving in the DF02 gyro, as well as some new boxers. One only as a study, testing the water.



M-Motor, an Italian brand, showed an interesting 4-cylinder. Again in the 100hp class and modern OHC concept. I don’t have the data here, will provide later.




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[Gyro_Kai]

Rotax of course presented their 912 IS injection engine.


Sauer, known for their VW conversions, now also offer 3-cylinder 2-strokes, again in the 100 hp class.

Simoni showed their 100hp 2 stroke as usual, I have so far not heard anything, good or bad, about this engine.

UL-Power could be seen in several fixed wings installed, they now have several models up to 150 hp available. This aircooled engine is also available as helicopter power-plant with forced ventilator cooling.


Finally, Wankel is coming again in many shapes.

And electric, but those only in models


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[Gyro_Kai]

Other topics:
The Shark doesn’t only look cool, it is also very fast, with 320 kph (200mph) Vne and a pricetag of 110 000 Euros.

Electric propulsion is slowly catching on. While this Aero did not have a big e-flight expo, as the last one, there still were several displays. This trike had a nice aerodynamic shape and a motor which, when exploiting the entire weight capacity, could fly for 4 hours. However the LiIon battery would cost 30000 USD.


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[Gyro_Kai]

The self building section was a grouped display of the German, Austrian and Swiss organizations.

Besides the very small one the one seater weighs in at 92kg (202lbs) and consumes only 4l (1 gallon) per hour.

The CriCri cricket is always an eye catcher. If you know the scheme of German plane registrations, you will recognize that the D-Gxxx means: Dual engine. So you need to have the multi-engine extension on your license to fly this one.




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[Steve_UK]

Hi Kai - thanks for posting these Aero 2012 images, all very interesting.

I understand that the two Trixy gyros were c/n ( werknumer ) 003 and 005 - good progress for this design which only very recently completed certification - well done Trixy.

The Cavalon on display is believed to be example #029.

Cheers

Steve

http://gyro-gyros.blogspot.co.uk/

[Gyro_Kai]

The Heli section showed a variety of choppers, most impressively the European combat helicopter Tiger.


Also this one was displayed, they seem to plan a helicopter like model, with a ring of multiple props where the rotor would normally be
.


I photograph these girls every time, but I keep forgetting, what the advertise.



As accomodation is very hard to find during the Aero, they found a very practical solution for 25 Eur. per night.


The weather was awful for most of the time, but finally, when leaving, one could finally see the Alps in the background.



The end,

comments welcome,

Kai.

[HydroGyroNut]

Thanks for the re-cap and commentaries. Much appreciated and fills us in on the latest gyro stuff. Quite intersting. What was the general perception of the Apollo machine. Was it received well or not, based on it being an almost exact copy.

[ckurz7000]

Thanks, Kai, for your report and numerous photos. I would have liked to go but couldn't make the time. Now I don't feel so bad and can talk like someone who's been there -- thanks to you

-- Chris.

[dinoa]

Beautifully done Kai.

Dino

[All_In]

Now that's what I'm talk'n about!!!

Feel like I got to go to the show!


Thank you Buddy... as to your quote "I photograph these girls every time, but I keep forgetting, what the advertise."

So we know they weren't selling the girls... or you would have remembered!!!!