Autogyro
A modern autogyro

An autogyro is a type of rotorcraft invented by Juan de la Cierva in 1919, making its first successful flight on January 9, 1923 at Cuatro Vientos Airfield in Madrid, Spain.^[1] Similar to helicopters, autogyros use a rotor to develop lift. While a helicopter's rotor is rotated by an engine during normal flight, the rotor of an autogyro is driven by aerodynamic forces in autorotation. An engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, provides thrust for the autogyro. Image File history File links Aurogyro-ELA-07-Casarrubios-Spain. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Rotary-wing aircraft. ... Juan de la Cierva (21 September 1895 – 19 December 1936) was a Spanish aeronautical engineer and pilot. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Spanish capital. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... The lift force, or simply lift, is a mechanical force, generated by a solid object as it moves through a fluid, directed perpendicular to the flow direction. ... Autorotation is the engineering term for the aerodynamics providing lift in a rotor-driven aircraft such as autogyro or helicopter. ... Airplane and Aeroplane redirect here. ... Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newtons Second and Third Laws. ...

Autogyros are also known as gyroplanes, gyrocopters, or rotaplanes. The term Autogiro was a trademark of the Cierva Autogiro Company and the term Gyrocopter was originally a trademark of Bensen Aircraft. “(TM)” redirects here. ... Ciervas first successful autogyro Juan de la Cierva (21 September 1895 – 9 December 1936) was a Spanish civil engineer and pilot. ... The Bensen Aircraft Corporation was established by Dr Igor Bensen at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina in 1952 to develop and market a variety of helicopters and autogyros of Bensens own design. ...

Configuration

Montgomerie Merlin single-seat autogyro

The rotor head, pre-rotator shaft and Subaru engine configuration on a VPM M-16 autogyro

An autogyro is characterised by a free-spinning rotor that turns due to passage of air upwards through the rotor. The vertical component of the total aerodynamic reaction of the rotor gives lift for the vehicle, and sustains the autogyro in the air. A separate propeller provides forward thrust and can be placed in a tractor configuration, with the engine and propeller at the front of the fuselage (e.g., Cierva), or pusher configuration with the engine and propeller at the rear of the fuselage (e.g., Bensen). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2013x1545, 501 KB) Single-seat Montgomerie Merlin B8MR autogyro at the Popular Flying Association Rally, Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2013x1545, 501 KB) Single-seat Montgomerie Merlin B8MR autogyro at the Popular Flying Association Rally, Kemble Airfield, Gloucestershire, England. ... Juan de la Cierva (September 21, 1895__December 19, 1936) was a Spanish aeronautical engineer and pilot. ... The Bensen Aircraft Corporation was established by Dr Igor Bensen at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina in 1952 to develop and market a variety of helicopters and autogyros of Bensens own design. ...

Whereas a helicopter works by forcing the rotor blades through the air, pushing air downwards, the autogyro rotor blade generates lift in the same way as a glider's wing by changing the angle of the air as it moves upwards and backwards relative to the rotor blade. The free-spinning blades turn by autorotation; the rotor blades are angled so that they not only give lift, but the angle of the blades causes the lift to accelerate the blades' rotation rate, until the rotor turns at a stable speed with the drag and thrust forces in balance. For other uses, see Glider (disambiguation). ...

Pitch control of the autogyro is by tilting the rotor fore and aft; roll control is by tilting the rotor laterally (side to side). Three designs to affect the tilt of the rotor are a tilting hub (Cierva), swashplate (Air & Space 18A), or servo-flaps (Kaman SAVER). A rudder provides yaw control. On pusher configuration autogyros, the rudder is placed in the propeller slipstream to maximize yaw control at low airspeed. A swashplate is a device that translates the pilots (or autopilots) commands via the helicopter flight controls into motion of the main rotor blades. ... The Air & Space 18A is a gyroplane manufactured in the central United States between 1965 and 2000. ... Stern-mounted steering oar of an Egyptian riverboat depicted in the Tomb of Menna (c. ... dddeath ... The word yaw can refer to: Yaw, the name for the Levantine god of chaos, rivers, the sea, and tempests; Yaw, an aeronautical and nautical term which indicates how far a craft is pointing away from its direction of travel due to rotation about its vertical axis. ...

Flight controls

There are three primary flight controls: control stick, rudder pedals, and throttle. The control stick is termed cyclic and tilts the rotor in the desired direction to provide pitch and roll control. The rudder pedals provide yaw control, and the throttle controls engine power. Stern-mounted steering oar of an Egyptian riverboat depicted in the Tomb of Menna (c. ... In an engine, the throttle is the mechanism by which the engines power is increased or decreased. ...

Secondary flight controls include the rotor transmission clutch, also known as a pre-rotator, which when engaged drives the rotor to start it spinning before takeoff, and collective pitch to reduce blade pitch before driving the rotor. Collective pitch controls are not usually fitted to autogyros, but can be found on the Air & Space 18A and McCulloch J-2 and are capable of near VTOL performance. Unlike a helicopter, autogyros without collective pitch need a runway to takeoff; however they are capable of landing with a very short, or zero ground roll.^[2] Refers to the pitch (or angle) of blades of a helicopter to direct movement. ... The Air & Space 18A is a gyroplane manufactured in the central United States between 1965 and 2000. ... The McCulloch J-2 was a small, two-seat autogyro with an enclosed cabin, one of only three of this type of aircraft to receive a type certificate in the US. It was designed by Drago Jovanovich and first flew in June 1962. ... The Hawker Harrier, one of the famous examples of a plane with VTOL capability. ...

Bensen

The basic Bensen Gyrocopter design is a simple frame of square aluminium or galvanized steel tubing, reinforced with triangles of lighter tubing. It is arranged so that the stress falls on the tubes, or special fittings, not the bolts. A front-to-back keel mounts a steerable nosewheel, seat, engine, and a vertical stabilizer. Outlying mainwheels are mounted on an axle. Some versions may mount seaplane-style floats for water operations.

Bensen Aircraft B8MG Gyrocopter

Bensen-type autogyros use a pusher configuration for simplicity and to increase visibility for the pilot. Power can be supplied by a variety of engines. McCulloch drone engines, Rotax marine engines, Subaru automobile engines, and other designs have been used in Bensen-type designs. A British WWI-era F.E.2b pusher. ...

The rotor is mounted atop the vertical mast. The rotor system of all Bensen-type autogyros is of a two-blade teetering design. There are some disadvantages associated with this rotor design, but the simplicity of the rotor design lends itself to ease of assembly and maintenance and is one of the reasons for its popularity. Aircraft-quality birch was specified in early Bensen designs, and a wood/steel composite is used in the world speed record holding Wallis design. Gyroplane rotor blades are made from other materials such as aluminium and GRP-based composite blades. Aluminum redirects here. ... It has been suggested that Fiber-reinforced plastic be merged into this article or section. ...

History

Juan de la Cierva was a Spanish engineer and aeronautical enthusiast. In 1921, he participated in a design competition to develop a bomber for the Spanish military. Cierva designed a three-engined aircraft, but during an early test flight, the bomber stalled and crashed. Cierva was troubled by the stall phenomenon and vowed to develop an aircraft that could fly safely at low airspeeds. The result was the first successful rotorcraft, which he named Autogiro in 1923. Cierva's autogyro used an airplane fuselage with a forward-mounted propeller and engine, a rotor mounted on a mast, and a horizontal and vertical stabilizer. Juan de la Cierva (21 September 1895 – 19 December 1936) was a Spanish aeronautical engineer and pilot. ... Look up engineer in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Early development

The first autogyro to fly successfully (1923)

Avro-built Cierva C.19 Mk.IV Autogiro, built in 1932. Cuatro Vientos Airport Museum, Madrid, Spain.

Cierva C.6 replica in Cuatro Vientos Air Museum, Madrid, Spain

Cierva Autogiro, at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, UK.

Cierva's first three designs (C.1, C.2, and C.3) were unstable due to aerodynamic and structural deficiencies in their rotors. His fourth design, the C.4, made the first successful flight of an autogyro on 9 January 1923, piloted by Alejandro Gomez Spencer at Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid, Spain. Cierva had fitted the rotor of the C.4 with flapping hinges to attach each rotor blade to the hub. The flapping hinges allowed each rotor blade to flap, or move up and down, to compensate for dissymmetry of lift, the difference in lift produced between the right and left sides of the rotor as the autogyro moves forward. Three days later, the engine failed shortly after takeoff and the aircraft descended slowly and steeply to a safe landing, validating Cierva's efforts to produce an aircraft that could be flown safely at low airspeeds. Image File history File links Ciervas_1st_autogiro. ... Image File history File links Ciervas_1st_autogiro. ... Image File history File links Autogyro-Avro-620. ... Image File history File links Autogyro-Avro-620. ... Avro 504K. Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, well known for planes such as the Avro Lancaster which served in World War II. One of the worlds first aircraft builders, A.V.Roe and Company was established at Brownsfield Mills, Manchester, England by Alliot Verdon Roe and his brother... Image File history File linksMetadata La_Cierva_C-6. ... Image File history File linksMetadata La_Cierva_C-6. ... Cierva C.6 replica engine closeup The Cierva C.6 was the sixth autogyro designed by engineer Juan de la Cierva, and the first one to travel a major distance. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 424 KB) Summary Cierva Autogiro at the Imperial War Museum, photo by Asterion Licensing This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License v. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 424 KB) Summary Cierva Autogiro at the Imperial War Museum, photo by Asterion Licensing This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License v. ... American Air Museum Duxford The Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire, commonly referred to simply as Duxford, houses the Imperial War Museums aircraft collection, as well as having a large collection of tanks, military and naval vehicles. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Dissymetry of Lift be merged into this article or section. ...

Cierva developed his C.6 model with the assistance of Spain's Military Aviation establishment, having expended all his funds on development and construction of the first five prototypes. The C.6 first flew in February 1925, including a flight of 10.5 km (7 miles) from Cuatro Vientos airfield to Getafe airfield in about 8 minutes, a significant accomplishment for any rotorcraft of the time. Shortly after Cierva's success with the C.6, Cierva accepted an offer from Scottish industrialist James G. Weir to establish the Cierva Autogiro Company in England, following a demonstration of the C.6 before the British Air Ministry at RAE Farnborough, on 20 October 1925. Britain had become the world center of autogyro development. Cierva C.6 replica engine closeup The Cierva C.6 was the sixth autogyro designed by engineer Juan de la Cierva, and the first one to travel a major distance. ... Location Location of Getafe Coordinates : 40° 18’N , 3°43′0″W Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Getafe (Spanish) Spanish name Getafe Founded 1326 Postal code 28901-28909 Area code 34 (Spain) + 91 (Madrid) Website http://www. ... The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the United Kingdom Government, established in 1918 with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the (then newly formed) Royal Air Force. ... The Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough Airfield was a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) research establishment. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A crash in February 1927, due to blade root failure, led to an improvement in rotor hub design. A drag hinge was added in conjunction with the flapping hinge to allow each blade to move fore and aft and relieve in-plane stresses, generated as a byproduct of the flapping motion. This development led to the Cierva C.8, which, on 18 September 1928, made the first rotorcraft crossing of the English Channel followed by a tour of Europe. is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The U.S. industrialist Harold Frederick Pitcairn, upon learning of the successful flights of the autogyro, had previously visited Cierva in Spain; in 1928, he visited Cierva again, in England, after taking a C.8 L.IV test flight piloted by Arthur H.C.A. Rawson. Being particularly impressed with the autogyro's safe vertical descent capability, Pitcairn purchased a C.8 L.IV with a Wright Whirlwind engine. Arriving in the United States on 11 December 1928 accompanied by Rawson, this autogyro was redesignated C.8W. Subsequently, production of autogyros was licensed to a number of manufacturers, including the Pitcairn Autogiro Company in the U.S. and Focke-Wulf of Germany. Harold F. Pitcairn was an American aviation inventor and pioneer. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG was a German manufacturer of military aircraft used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. Many of the companys successful fighter aircraft designs were slight modifications of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. ...

Development of the autogyro continued in search for a means to accelerate the rotor prior to takeoff (called prerotating). Rotor drives initially took the form of a rope wrapped around the rotor axle and then pulled by a team of men to accelerate the rotor - this was followed by a long taxi to bring the rotor up to speed sufficient for takeoff. The next innovation was flaps on the tail to redirect the propeller slipstream into the rotor while on the ground. This design was first tested on a C.19 in 1929. Efforts in 1930 had shown that development of a light and efficient mechanical transmission was not a trivial undertaking, but the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, finally solved the problem with a transmission driven by the engine in 1932. Willow Grove is a census-designated place located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles north of Philadelphia. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

Cierva's early autogyros were fitted with fixed rotor hubs, small fixed wings, and control surfaces like those of a fixed wing aircraft. At low airspeeds, the control surfaces became ineffective and could readily lead to loss of control, particularly during landing. In response, Cierva developed a direct control rotor hub, which could be tilted in any direction by the pilot. Cierva's direct control was first developed on the Cierva C.19 Mk. V and saw production on the Cierva C.30 series of 1934. The Cierva C.30A Autogiro was a type of autogyro designed by Juan de la Cierva and built under licence from the Cierva Autogiro Company by A V Roe & Co Ltd, Lioré-et-Olivier and Focke-Wulf. ...

When improvements in helicopters made them practical, autogyros became largely neglected. They were, however, used in the 1930s by major newspapers, and by the US Postal Service for mail service between the Camden, NJ airport (USA) and the top of the post office building in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). ^[3] The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression, also known as the [[. In East Asia, the rise of militarism occurred. ... A USPS Truck at Night A U.S. Post Office sign The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is generally referred to as the post office. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ...

World War II

In World War II, Germany pioneered a very small gyroglider "rotor-kite", the Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 "Bachstelze" (Water-wagtail), towed by U-boats to provide aerial surveillance. An Fa-330 on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH The Focke Achgelis Fa-330 was a type of rotary kite, essentially an unpowered Autogyro. ... U-boat is also a nickname for some diesel locomotives built by GE; see List of GE locomotives October 1939. ...

The Japanese Army developed the Kayaba Ka-1 Autogyro for reconnaissance, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine uses. The Ka-1 was based on an American design first imported to Japan in 1938. The craft was initially developed for use as an observation platform and for artillery spotting duties. The Army liked the craft's short take-off span, and especially its low maintenance requirements. In 1941 production began, with the machines assigned to artillery units for spotting the fall of shells. These carried two crewmen: a pilot and a spotter. The Kayaba Ka-1 was a Japanese autogyro, seing service during World War II. The Japanese Army developed the Ka-1 autogyro for reconnaissance, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine uses. ...

Later, the Japanese Army commissioned two small aircraft carriers intended for coastal antisubmarine (ASW) duties. The spotter's position on the Ka-1 was modified in order to carry one small depth charge. Ka-1 ASW autogyros operated from shore bases as well as the two small carriers. They appear to have been responsible for at least one submarine sinking. A Hedgehog depth charge launcher. ...

The autogyro was used to calibrate the coastal radar stations during and after the Battle of Britain.^[4]

Postwar developments

The autogyro was resurrected after World War II when Dr. Igor Bensen, a Russian immigrant, saw a captured German U-Boat's Fa 330 gyroglider and was fascinated by its characteristics. At work he was tasked with the analysis of the British "Rotachute" gyro glider designed by expatriate Austrian Raoul Hafner. This led him to adapt the design for his own purposes and eventually market the B-7. Bensen submitted an improved version, the Bensen B-8M, for testing to the United States Air Force, which designated it the X-25. The B-8M was designed to use surplus McCulloch engines used on flying unmanned target drones. The Bensen B-8 is a small, single-seat autogyro developed in the United States in the 1950s. ... USAF redirects here. ...

Ken Wallis developed a miniature autogyro craft, the Wallis autogyro, in England in the 1960s, and autogyros built similar to Wallis' design appeared for a number of years. Ken Wallis' designs have been used in various scenarios including military training, police reconnaissance, and in another case a search for the Loch Ness Monster. Wing Commander K H Wallis MBE, DEng (hc), CEng, FRAeS, FSETP, PhD (hc), RAF (Retd) to give him his full title is one of the leading exponents of autogyros. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1958 to the end of 1974. ... For other uses, see Loch Ness Monster (disambiguation). ...

Three different autogyro designs have been certified by the FAA for commercial production: the Umbaugh U-18/Air & Space 18A of 1965, the Avian 2-180 of 1967, and the McCulloch J-2 of 1972. All have been commercial failures, for various reasons. FAA may refer to: Federal Aviation Administration in the United States Fleet Air Arm in the UK Royal Navy Fuerza Aérea Argentina in Argentina This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Air & Space 18A is a gyroplane manufactured in the central United States between 1965 and 2000. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... The McCulloch J-2 was a small, two-seat autogyro with an enclosed cabin, one of only three of this type of aircraft to receive a type certificate in the US. It was designed by Drago Jovanovich and first flew in June 1962. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Certification by national aviation authorities

US certification

A certificated autogyro must meet mandated stability and control criteria; in the United States these are set forth in Federal Aviation Regulations Part 27: Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft.^[5] The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issues a Standard Airworthiness Certificate to qualified autogyros. Amateur-built or kit-built aircraft are operated under a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental category.^[6] The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing all aviation activities in the United States. ... FAA redirects here. ... A standard airworthiness certificate is the FAAs official authorization allowing for the operation of type certificated aircraft in the following categories: Normal Utility Acrobatic Commuter Transport Manned free balloons Special classes A standard airworthiness certificate remains valid as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in... The FAA special airworthiness certificate is an FAA authorization to operate an aircraft in the US airspace in one or more of the following categories: ...

UK certification

A VPM M-16 commences its take-off roll

Some autogyros, such as the Rotorsport MT03,^[7] have type approval by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under British Civil Airworthiness Requirements CAP643 Section T.^[8] Others operate under a permit to fly issued by the Popular Flying Association – similar to the US experimental aircraft certification. However, the CAA's assertion that autogyros have a poor safety record means that permit to fly will only be granted to existing types of autogyro. All new types of autogyro must be submitted for full type approval under CAP643 Section T.^[9] The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. It was established in 1972. ... The Popular Flying Association is the representative body in the United Kingdom for amateur aircraft construction, recreational and sport flying. ...

In 2005, the CAA issued a mandatory permit directive (MPD) which restricted operations for single seat autogryos, and were subsequently integrated into CAP643 Issue 3 published on 12 August 2005.^[8] The restrictions are concerned with the offset between the centre of gravity and thrust line, and apply to all aircraft unless evidence is presented to the CAA that the CG/Thrust Line offset less than 2 inches (5 cm) in either direction. The restrictions are summarised as follows: is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In physics, the center of gravity (CoG) of an object is the average location of its weight. ...

• Aircraft with a cockpit/nacelle may only be operated by pilots with more than 50 hours solo flight experience following the issue of their licence.
• Open frame aircraft are restricted to a minimum speed of 30 mph (26 knots), except in the flare.
• All aircraft are restricted to a Vne of 70 mph (61 knots)
• Flight is not permitted when surface winds exceed 17 mph (15 knots) or if the gust spread exceeds 12 mph (10 knots)
• Flight is not permitted in moderate, severe or extreme turbulence and airspeed must be reduced to 63 mph (55 knots) if turbulence is encountered mid-flight.

Look up nacelle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An aircrafts Vne is the velocity that should never be exceeded. ...

World records

In 1931, Amelia Earhart flew a Pitcairn PCA-2 to a women's world altitude record of 18,415 ft (5,613 m).^[10] Amelia Mary Earhart (24 July 1897 – missing 2 July 1937, declared dead 5 January 1939) was a noted American aviation pioneer, author and womens rights advocate. ...

Wing Commander Ken Wallis has held most of the autogyro world records during his autogyro flying career. These include the speed record of 186 km/h (111.7 mph), and the straight-line distance record of 905 km (543.27 miles). On 16 November 2002, Wallis increased the speed record to 207.7 km/h (129.1 mph) – and simultaneously set another world record as the oldest pilot to set a world record.^[11] A Wing Commanders sleeve/shoulder insignia A Wing Commanders command flag Wing Commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ... Wing Commander K H Wallis MBE, DEng (hc), CEng, FRAeS, FSETP, PhD (hc), RAF (Retd) to give him his full title is one of the leading exponents of autogyros. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Andrew Keech made a transcontinental flight from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to San Diego, California in October 2003 and set 3 world records for speed over a recognized course. The 3 records were verified by tower personnel or by official observers of the United States' National Aeronautic Association (NAA). On 9 February 2006, he broke two of his world records and set a record for distance, ratified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI); Speed over a closed circuit of 500 km (311 mi) without payload: 168.29 km/h (104.57 mph), speed over a closed circuit of 1,000 km (621 mi) without payload: 165.07 km/h (102.57 mph), and distance over a closed circuit without landing: 1,019.09 km (633.23 mi).^[12] Kitty Hawk could mean: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina USS Kitty Hawk The Command module of the Apollo 14 spacecraft. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... This article is about the U.S. state. ... The primary mission of NAA is the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight by fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and by promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ...

Autogyros in popular culture

An indication of the pre-war popularity of the autogyro, its subsequent decline and later rise of interest can be inferred from its appearances in the films and comics of the day. Notable appearances include: Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

• In the film International House (1933), W.C. Field's character converts his golf cart to an autogyro and takes off from the fairway, subsequently crashing into a hotel roof garden.
• In the film It Happened One Night (1934), the groom and pilot King Westley arrives dramatically for the wedding in an autogyro.

Autogyro Little Nellie with its creator and pilot, Ken Wallis

• An autogyro appears (in what is obviously stock footage) in Hitchock's 1935 film The 39 Steps in a scene in Scotland where the hero is escaping the police.
• In the classic science fiction film of H.G. Wells' THINGS TO COME (1936), the heroes of the story arrive dramatically at the Space Gun in an art deco-style autogyro, to mitigate the destruction of the Space Gun by extremists, which will carry two people to the Moon in the year 2036. The autogyro in the film was designed by celebrated art deco designer Norman Bel Geddes, who assisted production designer William Cameron Menzies on the look of the world of tomorrow.
• Little Nellie, the autogyro featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, was a Ken Wallis WA-116 design and was piloted by Wallis in its film scenes. In the film, it was shipped by Q in four suitcases and assembled prior to use.^[13][14]
• An autogyro was heavily featured in the second Mad Max (The Road Warrior) film, released in 1981, appearing in several scenes with its pilot, the Gyro Captain, as a major character. The pilot used in the flying sequences was Gerry Goodwin, doubling for the actor, Bruce Spence.^[15]
• Fictional comic characters Doc Savage,^[16] The Shadow, and Tom Strong all featured autogyros in their 1930s and 1940s pulp magazine adventures.^[17]
• Batman's first aircraft was an autogyro. The "Batgyro" was introduced in Detective Comics #31 in September 1939. It only made three appearances before being replaced by a more conventional fixed wing aircraft.
• In The Simpsons episode 22 Short Films About Springfield, Mr. Burns is seen reading a magazine called Autogyro Enthusiast. In the episode Mother Simpson, Mr. Burns at the post office says, "Yes, I'd like to send this letter to the Prussian consulate in Siam by aeromail. Am I too late for the 4:30 autogyro?"
• In the Lupin III film Castle of Cagliostro, the villainous Count Cagliostro pilots an autogyro which becomes central to the protagonist's escape.
• A model autogyro makes a brief appearance in the film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
• The gyrocopter is one of the three featured aircraft in Pilotwings 64, a launch title for the Nintendo 64 video game console.
• An autogyro is used in the final rescue scene of the 1991 film The Rocketeer.
• An autogyro is used in the final rescue scene of the 1982 film Annie.
• An autogyro plays a significant role in the plot of the 1988 film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.

International House was a comedy film released in 1933, directed by A. Edward Sutherland. ... It Happened One Night is a 1934 romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra, in which a pampered socialite (Claudette Colbert) tries to get out from under her fathers thumb, and falls in love with a roguish reporter (Clark Gable). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 535 pixelsFull resolution (2320 × 1552 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 535 pixelsFull resolution (2320 × 1552 pixel, file size: 2. ... Wing Commander K H Wallis MBE, DEng (hc), CEng, FRAeS, FSETP, PhD (hc), RAF (Retd) to give him his full title is one of the leading exponents of autogyros. ... The Thirty-Nine Steps is an adventure novel by John Buchan, first published in 1915. ... The insignia used by Bel Geddes in his published works. ... William Cameron Menzies (July 29, 1896 - March 5, 1957) was an Academy Award-winning and versatile art director who earned acclaim on silent films and later pioneered the use of color in film for dramatic effect. ... This article is about the spy series. ... For the Ian Fleming novel, see You Only Live Twice. ... Wing Commander K H Wallis MBE, DEng (hc), CEng, FRAeS, FSETP, PhD (hc), RAF (Retd) to give him his full title is one of the leading exponents of autogyros. ... Road Warrior redirects here. ... Spence as Charlie in the 1974 Peter Weir film The Cars That Ate Paris Bruce Spence (born September 17, 1945 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an Australian actor. ... Doc Savage is a fictional character, one of the pulp heroes of the 1930s and 1940s. ... This article is about the fictional character. ... Tom Strong was a bi-monthly comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse published by Americas Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics Wildstorm division. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... Cover of Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). ... Simpsons redirects here. ... 22 Short Films About Springfield is the twenty-first episode of The Simpsons seventh season, airing on April 21, 1996. ... Mother Simpson is the eighth episode of The Simpsons seventh season. ... For other uses, see Prussia (disambiguation). ... The rule of Napoleon Bonaparte after his coup detat in France had conducted the manners of French governmant under dictatorship and in a consulate. ... For the country formerly called Siam see Thailand SIAM is an acronym for Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. ... Lupin the 3rd and Lupin the Third redirect here. ... The Castle of Cagliostro Castle of Cagliostro (ルパン三世 カリオストロの城 Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro 1979) by Japanese anime director and manga artist Hayao Miyazaki is one of the Master thief Lupin III movies. ... This article is about the film. ... Pilotwings 64 is a video game for the Nintendo 64, released in 1996, along with the launch of the console. ... The Nintendo 64, often abbreviated as N64, is Nintendos third home video game console for the international market. ... The Rocketeer is a 1991 superhero adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures/Touchstone Pictures[1] and directed by Joe Johnston. ... This is about the 1982 film. ... The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking was a 1988 fantasy-adventure-musical film based on the Pippi Longstocking series created by Astrid Lindgren. ...

See also

• List of autogyro models
• Gyrodyne
• Fairey Rotodyne
• Carter Copter
• Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
• Helicopter

The Gyrodyne Company of America was founded by Peter J. Papadakos in [1946], using the assests he bought from the bankrupt Bendix Helicopter Company that was developing a one-man synchronized co-axial rotor helicopter. ... The Fairey Rotodyne was a British compound autogyro intended for commercial and military applications in the 1950s and early 1960s. ... The CarterCopter is an advanced aircraft, a combined fixed wing aeroplane/autogyro currently under development by Carter Aviation Technologies. ... Piasecki Aircraft Company, PiAC, was founded by vertical flight pioneer Frank Piasecki to continue persuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ...

References

YouTube is a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Not to be confused with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, I-triple-E). ... FAA redirects here. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... FAA redirects here. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. It was established in 1972. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. It was established in 1972. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK. It was established in 1972. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Autogyros

• Air & Space 18A gyroplane.
• Australian Sport Rotorcraft Association
• British Rotorcraft Association
• The Gyrobee, and ultralight autogyro
• GyroPilot, for people interested in autogyros
• Gyroplane Passion All things relating to gyroplanes
• Jeff Lewis' in-depth history of the Autogyro
• Popular Rotorcraft Association (United States)
• gyrowiki.com Gyroplane Articles and resources.