Quote:
Originally Posted by John_W
After looking at several gyrocopter crash videos on youtube, it seems if the pilot is not constantly on top of the controls there is a good chance of stalling or going into a spin. They appear to fly like a helicopter will little chance to being able to trim the aircraft. The bad part about crashes is you have two propellers in close proximity to the pilot and if the impact doesn't kill you, the blades will. I think a glider is safer than a gyrocopter, that's just my opinion. |
If a pilot is not using the correct controls all aircraft will crash. Gyroplanes do not stall. They suffer from what is called "Unloading the Rotor". Both of those crash pictures is what happens when you unload a rotor system. Helicopters are the most difficult aircraft to fly. I've flow those also. Gyroplanes are very dossil and do not take a lot of constant pilot input. They can be trimmed out just like a fixed wing aircraft. Gliders rely on thermals to keep them aloft. The newer model gliders do have an engine that can be deployed. Gliders still require lots of room to land safely. Rotorcraft can land on a tennis court.