English Dictionary Definition

Autogiro - (also autogyro) an early form of helicopter with freely rotating horizontal vanes and a propeller.


What is an AutoGyro?

The origins of the present day Autogyro come from the original 'Autogiro' invented by the Spanish Engineer Juan de la Cierva. They are now known as autogiros, giros, gyrocopters and gyro kites depending on their origins. These aircraft share the generic category of Rotorcraft with Helicopters, which use an overhead rotor to generate lift rather than wings, but are distinctly different in the way they fly.

The helicopter has a power driven rotor to remain airborne It also needs a tail rotor to prevent the body of the aircraft from rotating in the opposite direction to the main rotor

The autogyro's main rotor acts as a circular wing and draws energy from the airstream to rotate and generate lift. It is not powered. The aircraft is either pulled or pushed by an engine and propeller thus driving the rotor into the airstream. When the rotor attains sufficient revolutions per minute (depending on type and make) it begins to 'Fly' like a solid circular wing. No air passes through it only under and over it. This is called Autorotation and allows the aircraft to fly and land even with engines stopped. The autogiro also has a vertical and /or horizontal tail planes. The aircraft is controlled by the same basic controls, stick, throttle and rudder pedals as a fixed wing aeroplane but is significantly more manoeuverable. (Note: The small drive shaft you may see attached to the rotor-head is used only to spin-up the rotor, while the giroplane is on the ground. This provides a shorter take-off distance.

Where can I see them fly?

There are many large and small airfields around the world from which autogyros are flown. Many are flown from the owners own land. There are also a number of airshows and fly-ins.
Look in the links section to find the giro club, chapter or association etc nearest to you.
Here in the UK you can contact the BRA (British Rotorcraft Association) at: www.gyroplanes.org

Where can I learn to fly a Autogyro?

There are numerous autogyro flying schools around the world and each country has its regulatory body governing the need or otherwise for a pilots licence. In some countries if the aircraft is under a certain weight you do not need a licence. However, wherever you live in the world and regardless of your previous flying experience you must undergo proper training these machines do not respond like a fixed wing aircraft or a helicopter.

If you try and teach yourself you will CRASH and become a statistic, possibly a dead one. We emphasise TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING.

In the UK the BRA list all the Autogyro instructors. Some of them have their own facilities and some are willing to use your local facilities. You do need a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) For those already holding a valid PPL(A) or PPL(H) for aeroplanes or helicopters respectively then dispensation is granted from written examinations except 'Aircraft Technical' They will also be expected to achieve a minimum of 20 logged hours of flight training with a autogyro instructor.

Again look in the links section to find the gyro club, chapter or association etc nearest to you.
Here in the UK you can contact the BRA (British Rotorcraft Association) at: www.gyroplanes.org