Summer enclosure questions

[FarmerTed]

I'm not a gyro pilot yet and what I am wondering might make or break my decision to get into it. I'm a 60 year old slowly retiring farmer with sport pilot PPC endorsement. Thinking a gyro would be a lot more fun to see the country than an RV. So most of my flying would be cross country/renting a car/staying in motel. Just short time wise trips due to luggage. I have watched most of the gyro videos on the net and been on most dealer/CFI sites but haven't really seen my answer. Saw one video where the pilot opened his door almost immediately on landing before rotor even stopped. I assumed due to heat.

I spent my younger years and long afternoons on tractors without cabs in the heat, dust, bugs, and wind and had my fill of that (I know it's not dust and bugs now). Don't want to spend my older years the same. So, my question is with an enclosed gyro, what's it like in the summer (say 90 degrees)? I know most if not all machine enclosures (or at least the door) are removable for summer, but I don't want to do that. I'm fine with auto driving with windows partly down where you can control your wind, but in a convertible.....no thanks. Last several cars I've owned had sunroofs and have never once been opened. So is flying enclosed in a gyro in the summer similar to window partly down in car? I haven't seen any that have much more than a small vent in the window. Any chance of a vent in the back so the prop is also pulling air through?

What about adding window tint? That keeps my tractors about 20 degrees cooler inside. Can't see why it would be much different than wearing sunglasses.

If removing enclosure is almost a must in summer, I may just give up the idea cause that's about a 1/3 of the year.

Here I am talking about this and it's 10 degrees out right now.

Thanks for opinions!

 

[Vance]

That is a big question Farmer Ted.

To start in my opinion the USA is more beautiful from a thousand feet above the ground and airports are a lovely place to visit with a lovely friendly culture that is absent in many places today.

I have had pilots go to great lengths to help a stranger flying cross country.

Different gyroplanes manage hot air differently.

Tint works and so do inside shades.

I have flown a lot close to 100 degrees F and I have never been too hot in the air in any gyroplane I have flown.

At busy airports I have gotten a little overheated in enclosed gyroplanes waiting to take off.

Usually a little altitude will get me cooler air.

Sometimes it takes a lot of altitude if there is an inversion.

Most gyroplanes have vents that are pretty effective in flight and on the ground there are usually ways to open her up to cooling air.

If you travel cross country you will find that most gyroplanes don’t have a lot of luggage space.

Solo in a two place gyroplane I use a large back pack because it is easy to secure.

With two people you will need to manage you stuff carefully sort of like touring on a motorcycle.

Many motels will do a fluff and fold.

 

[FarmerTed]

I should have added that if this happens I am thinking a very large machine (example: air gyro 915 javelin but just see what's available when the time comes ) I know very expensive, but not really anymore than a nice RV. And some airport questions later that aren't really FAR/CFI questions. So far the impression I get from you it is doable. I have taken a demo flight in one 10 years ago at Salt Lake City.

 

[WaspAir]

I fly a Bell 47 year round, and you can't ask for a bigger aerial greenhouse than the bubble on that thing. I keep the doors on to avoid high speed buffeting. I always point the tail into the sun when firing up to get an advantage in hot weather but take no other precautions. With vents open and a bit of altitude, summer doesn't bother me. My only truly uncomfortable experience was refueling at 113 degrees in Death Valley. You can probably avoid that in your travels.

 

[GyrOZprey]

The TAG -Titanium Explorer gyroplane that I promote for the Australian manufacturer - AND I am located in Kansas( 40 miles NE of Wichita) - IS the PREMIUM Cross-country gyro WITH the MOST luggage/storage capacity of all the modern 2 place tandem machines!
You DO seem to be looking at /for the enclosed style gyro from your initial post - however BOTH gyro pilots that completed epic world circumnavigation flights chose open cockpit 2 place tandems Norman Surplus in his MTO and James Ketchell in his Magni!

I have enjoyed flying my TAG TE from KS to Florida & back in January/February2017 -in a nice mild-winter weather window! My sole means of transport for 6 weeks ...covering approx 3,000 N-Miles ..I was heavily reliant on old & new friends in the gyro community for accommodation, hospitality ...sourcing the preferred 91Mogas fuel when feasible ..using 100LL avgas as needed enroute! I enjoyed great times with B&B accommodation also - often they will transport pilots to & from the airport (smaller-towns)!

I have found flying open tandem( with huge windscreen protection - another feature of our TAGs) to be a superior experience for all the VFR days of the year I'm likely to go flying!
Yes the enclosed gyros (sidexside or tandem) are nice for the chillier days BUT the majority of flying you will do will be on warmer days spring- summer-fall and NOT being in fishbowl/green-house in the heat has a LOT of positives!
Now IF you will be flying a lot with a buddy/spouse ... the rear seat of any tandem/open ..gets pretty miserable below 50 `F for longer than 1/2 hour without well insulated flying suit/heated jacket!
For any amount of luggage our spacious, dual long continuous storage lockers with 2 large access doors each side are second to none!

for details the website is https://www.tagaviation.com.au

for your US contact agent call me @ 316 435 20nineone
Our TAG trained CFI's are Desmon Butts( N of Houston) and Carl Potter (Tulsa OK)

 

[WaspAir]

On occasion, I have sent luggage ahead by UPS or Fedex when traveling by general aviation aircraft so that carrying space didn't much matter.

 

[GyroChuck]

I have flown both open frame and enclosed Gyros. For me I prefer an open frame. But that's just my preference.

Since you have the option to fly the TAG gyro I would highly recommend you do so. Then if you can make one of the Gyro fly ins . Get some time in an enclosed machine.

It's hard to make an informed decision till you try a couple of different gyros. Sort of like going to different car dealers and trying different car models.

 

[MikeBoyette]

I have flown both open frame and enclosed Gyros. For me I prefer an open frame. But that's just my preference.

Since you have the option to fly the TAG gyro I would highly recommend you do so. Then if you can make one of the Gyro fly ins . Get some time in an enclosed machine.

It's hard to make an informed decision till you try a couple of different gyros. Sort of like going to different car dealers and trying different car models.

I agree a completely enclosed gyro almost defeats the purpose. It might as well be a spam cab with rotor blades. In my opinion they are less fun and quite a bit more expensive than an open machine

 

[FarmerTed]

Thanks people!

GyroOZprey, I was thinking many of my flights might be to Branson, Mo. Was planning south of Wichita route but may have to make it north! You might be about where I assumed my fuel stop would have been. I'm getting a little ahead of myself dreaming yet. I'm really set on indoor flying. My ppc was of course outside and that was one reason I gave it up. As long as I get the right amount of air movement on me the heat won't bother as much.

Problem with ups'ing luggage is I thought sometimes I would just take off and see where the wind/scenery takes me...get up the next morning and go again. Maybe not a good idea?

I will certainly take another ride or even some training in an enclosed before deciding. The flight I had at Salt Lake was enclosed (but I think in April) and pretty sure I know what open flying would be like from my ppc.

So far sounds like not to give up because of summer heat. Actually if I was going to have to ride in the wind I may as well get me a Hardley. That's what I'd call it cause I'm sure I wouldn't hardly ride it.

 

[MikeBoyette]

Thanks people!

GyroOZprey, I was thinking many of my flights might be to Branson, Mo. Was planning south of Wichita route but may have to make it north! You might be about where I assumed my fuel stop would have been. I'm getting a little ahead of myself dreaming yet. I'm really set on indoor flying. My ppc was of course outside and that was one reason I gave it up. As long as I get the right amount of air movement on me the heat won't bother as much.

Problem with ups'ing luggage is I thought sometimes I would just take off and see where the wind/scenery takes me...get up the next morning and go again. Maybe not a good idea?

I will certainly take another ride or even some training in an enclosed before deciding. The flight I had at Salt Lake was enclosed (but I think in April) and pretty sure I know what open flying would be like from my ppc.

So far sounds like not to give up because of summer heat. Actually if I was going to have to ride in the wind I may as well get me a Hardley. That's what I'd call it cause I'm sure I wouldn't hardly ride it.

Oh and it may Hardley run!!! 😂😂