Derek's "Gyrocopter" Thoughts

[Derek]

I have no idea where to put this thread, so here we go, lol.

I've had the thought of a Gyrocopter/Autogyro in my head for a few years now. I'm thinking about trying to build one. Does anyone have any knowledge about gyrocopters?

I think I've heard that gyrocopter blades are not at all like helicopter blades. Heli blades have more of a symmetrical shape to them, whereas gyrocopter blades are rumored to have a negative pitch or maybe an undercambered shape to them. Can anyone confirm this?

[Graham Lawrie]

Are you talking model or full size.?

A work colleague of mine for my previous company was a pilot and started to learn to fly one.

[Graham Lawrie]

Try this Derek:)
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthr ... nd-Answers

[Derek]

Definitely a modelb Graham. Im very sure the wife eould frown on me building a full scale copter lol

[Graham Lawrie]

This looks good Derek:)
http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/pos ... p?th=52962

[Graham Lawrie]

This looks even better:)
http://www.mickeynowell.com/sitebuilder ... 092506.pdf

[pvolcko]

I've tried flying one once. It did not go well. I'd highly recommend taking off and landing from asphalt. You need to build up a fair about of speed with them to get the lift necessary for take off and grass just doesn't help for that (unless it is a sizable model). And once you do get it in the air, gotta keep the throttle up, particularly through turns. If I remember my pre-flight research correctly, they tend to stall out through turns if you aren't pushing them through it with throttle. There are also models with powered rotors and models free-spinning rotors. The powered ones are easier to take off and fly, but the free spinning ones, I think, provide a more realistic flight experience.

The rotors blades: I don't recall them being negative pitched. They were more akin to a fixed pitch helicopter blade than a symmetrical collective/pitch blade. Perhaps not as deeply scooped as a fixed pitch heli blade though and the profile seemed to flatten out toward the ends. It was a couple years ago now that I tried flying it so the details are foggy.

Good luck.

[Derek]

PCA-2.jpg (555.56 KiB) Viewed 3613 times

I like this model. Are those ailerons on the wing? This model looks like it may have the usual 4 channel controls like a plane but it has a rotor head...and it looks like the rotor head doesn't pitch or roll. I dunno....but it sure is cool looking!!!