Need some advice from the collective group of aviators here: Want to buy an autogyro-specifically a Calidus Auto Gyro. (AutoGyro - Calidus) Do not have a pilots license. Was told that may actually help in learning to fly an autogyro as what you do in an auto gyro in response to flying behavior can be different (100% the other way) relative to what you do in an aeroplane. And as such the learned responses you do in a plane can get you in trouble in an auto gyro. Not sure 100% true-or false. In any case I am more interested in people's opinion relative to safety, etc of these things. I have a very good understanding of how and why they fly (Talking to an ex-Sikorsky Helo designer here.) I really like this thing's look and "performance", etc. Thought it would be a fun toy. Would plan on getting a lot of training with an expert IP before I try it on my own. So-crazy and dangerous or a lot of fun and relative safety?
You probably saw this, but just in case, might want to hit some of these guys up http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/aviatorchat-com/488240-buying-autogyro-mto-sport-what-blast-these-gyroplanes.html
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/aviatorchat-com/484481-one-autogyro-i-would-love-fly.html They let you feel the breeze! I should note that the Vimeo vid in the above link may not be safe for all work place environments.
But there the helicopter comparisons end, because an autogyro is a whole ‘nuther thing. As you can see and hear in the video, flying an autogyro is all about managing the energy in that rotating disc, energy that comes not from the engine, but from air passing through it from below. You have to take care not to let the rotor RPM drop below the point where the disc won’t generate sufficient lift. A passage in the POH illustrates how counterintuitive this can be for a fixed wing pilot: “Any maneuver resulting in a low-G (near weightless) condition can result in a catastrophic loss of lateral/roll control in conjunction with rapid main rotor RPM decrease. Always maintain adequate load on the rotor and avoid aggressive forward control input performed from level flight or following a pull-up.” The reason is that this reverses the airflow over the rotor blades from below to above, essentially reversing the energy input. It’s likely to be unrecoverable As mentioned above--"how counterintuitive this can be for a fixed wing pilot"-- I am no expert but I have been told that you do control inputs nearly opposite to a plane under certain circumstances. Not many but some.
Of course, if you're James Bond (or the Gyro Captain from "The Road Warrior"), then it's a piece of cake!
I'm adding HEL after 3000+ hours in fighters and it's not too big a deal. Nobody likes to do stuff at less than 1G anyway (except maybe aeros people) so the same instincts apply regarding pushing over. If you're a ham fist then you've got plenty of other things to worry about with rotary wing when you're just learning. While flying fixed wing before does not make flying rotary a snap by any means, it sure as hell doesn't hurt. My first flight ended with me doing in ground effect hovers, near perfect patterns to landing, pickups, and taxis on centerline to landing right where we bagan with no input other than verbal from my IP. That and I handled all comms in and out of Honolulu without even having to think about it. Still, it is a challenge and I have a very long way to go. I suspect HEL to SEL is quite a bit easier though. I'm just hoping to meet Gyrocopter Girl!
