Yes, he landed in the same direction he took off but I think the wind shifted. Look at the windsock at 4:27. Or am I seeing this incorrectly?
I've never figured out how to do the quote thing. Can someone 'splain?
JJ: Many clues throughout the short video:
I also saw the flags in the background past the windsock looking to point right at the camera @ the end of the video, confirming the wind hadn't switched directions. For a split second, the WS did appear to have been the opposite it was previously. The same illusion @ the beginning of the video occurs.
Also, it took him a much longer time to make his turns (downwind), even @ at the end, compared to turns done into the wind's direction. Observers on the ground notice the big difference between the fast downwind speed made to the right compared to slower passes made to the left.
And, he did his "hovering" into the wind right @ the beginning of the video, as he went sideways as he ascended, and over the far right end of the runway later.
One cannot pull that type of a maneuver in a gyroplane while facing the same direction as the wind is blowing. A helicopter can.
I'm guessing we were watching the master, Nicholas K., performing in one of his Aviomania creations in Cyprus. All the flight maneuvers are the same M.O. since the first one he shared w/ the world several years back:
Extremely short take-offs (a result of high prerotation and some headwind), sharp turns, lots of hovering into the wind's origin, then diving to regain high airspeed, low, fast flight while zig-zagging, and always ending w/ an extremely slow, as well as smooth, touchdown.
Just the kind of gyroplane video to warm the hearts of anyone who loves human flight!
It makes gyro want-a-bee's desire jump even more so. Guys flying heavier machines marvel at how quick it is to change directions and accelerate. It is a 2-place gyro w/out the added weight of that passenger.