How to Fly a Gyrocopter

A gyrocopter is not an airplane or even a helicopter. It's a rotary aircraft that uses a propeller to fly, not wings. Unlike an airplane, a gyrocopter maintains low speeds without fear of losing control. Take a chance and fly a gyrocopter.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Achieve lift off by moving the gyrocopter forward down the runway. As you maneuver the rotor back, air moves through the blades to increase speed. You'll need a fairly long runway to take off this way.

2. Begin lift using the engine to boost the rotor and propel the gyrocopter forward. The rotor tilts backward causing lift off with a shorter runway. Lift occurs when the rotor speed is greater than the speed of the gyrocopter going forward.

3. Control the pitch of the aircraft using the cyclic stick (control stick) once you're in the air. If you move the stick back, the rotor tilts back taking the gyrocopter higher. This lessens the forward airspeed. If you move the stick forward, you lower the gyrocopter and speed up.

4. Change direction and steer the aircraft through the rudder pedals. These pedals guide the rudder and the nose wheel so you can fly where you want. In the air, you use the cyclic stick to bank the rotor disk and turn.

5. Decrease the propeller, the engine and your forward motion to make a safe landing. Slow speeds do not affect the rotor. It continues to spin without stalling or causing the aircraft to spin.