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Autogyro

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A modern, closed-cabin, pusher-propeller autogyro in flight

Anautogyro(fromGreekαὐτόςandγύρος,"self-turning" ), orgyroplane,is a class ofrotorcraftthat uses an unpoweredrotorin freeautorotationto developlift.While similar to ahelicopter rotorin appearance, the autogyro's unpowered rotor disc must have air flowing upward across it to make it rotate.

Forwardthrustis provided independently, by an engine-drivenpropeller.

It was originally named theautogiroby its Spanish inventor and engineer,Juan de la Cierva,in his attempt to create an aircraft that could fly safely at low speeds. He first flew one on 9 January 1923, atCuatro Vientos AirportinMadrid.[1]The aircraft resembled thefixed-wing aircraftof the day, with a front-mounted engine and propeller. The termAutogirobecametrademarkedby theCierva Autogiro Company.De la Cierva's Autogiro is considered the predecessor of the modernhelicopter.[2][3]The termgyrocopter(derived from helicopter) was used by E.Burke Wilford who developed the Reiseler Kreiser feathering rotor equippedgyroplanein the first half of the twentieth century. Gyroplane was later adopted as a trademark byBensen Aircraft.

The success of theAutogirogarnered the interest ofindustrialistsand under license from de la Cierva in the 1920s and 1930s, the Pitcairn & Kellett companies made further innovations.[4]Late-model autogyros patterned afterEtienne Dormoy'sBuhl A-1 AutogyroandIgor Bensen's designs feature a rear-mounted engine and propeller in apusher configuration.

Principle of operation[edit]

The rotor head, pre-rotator shaft, andSubaruengine configuration on a VPM M-16 autogyro

An autogyro is characterized by a free-spinning rotor that turns because of the passage of air through the rotor from below.[5][6]The downward component of the total aerodynamic reaction of the rotor gives lift to the vehicle, sustaining it in the air. A separate propeller provides forward thrust and can be placed in a puller configuration, with the engine and propeller at the front of the fuselage, or in a pusher configuration, with the engine and propeller at the rear of the fuselage.

Whereas a helicopter works by forcing the rotor blades through the air, drawing air from above, the autogyro rotor blade generates lift in the same way as aglider's wing,[7]by changing the angle of the air[5]as the air moves upward and backward relative to the rotor blade.[8]The free-spinning blades turn byautorotation;the rotor blades are angled so that they not only give lift,[9]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 force and the thrust force in balance.

External videos
video iconTakeoffs and LandingsonYouTubeofGroen Hawk 4
video iconJump takeoffonYouTubeofPitcairn PA-36in 1941

Because the craft must be moving forward with respect to the surrounding air to force air through the overhead rotor, autogyros are generally not capable of vertical takeoff (except in a strong headwind). A few types such as theAir & Space 18Ahave shown short takeoff or landing.

Pitch control is achieved by tilting the rotorfore and aft,and roll control is by tilting the rotor laterally. The tilt of the rotor can be effected by utilizing a tilting hub (Cierva), aswashplate(Air & Space 18A), or servo-flaps. Arudderprovidesyawcontrol. On pusher configuration autogyros, the rudder is typically placed in the propellerslipstreamto maximize yaw control at low airspeed (but not always, as seen in theMcCulloch J-2,with twin rudders placed outboard of the propeller arc).[citation needed]

Flight controls[edit]

Russian Gyroplanes Gyros-2 Smartflier

There are three primary flight controls: control stick,rudder pedals,andthrottle.Typically, the control stick is termed thecyclicand tilts the rotor in the desired direction to provide pitch and roll control (some autogyros do not tilt the rotor relative to the airframe, or only do so in one dimension, and have conventional control surfaces to vary the remaining degrees of freedom). The rudder pedals provide yaw control, and the throttle controls engine power.

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, andcollective pitchto reduce blade pitch before driving the rotor. Collective pitch controls are not usually fitted to autogyros but can be found on theAir & Space 18A,McCulloch J-2and the Westermayer Tragschrauber, and can provide nearVTOLperformance.[citation needed][10]

Pusher vs tractor configuration[edit]

Montgomerie Merlin single-seat autogyro

Modern autogyros typically follow one of two basic configurations. The most common design is the pusher configuration, where the engine and propeller are located behind the pilot and rotor mast, such as in the Bensen "Gyrocopter".Its main advantages are the simplicity and lightness of its construction and the unobstructed visibility. It was developed by Igor Bensen in the decades following World War II, who also founded the Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) to help it become more widespread.[11]

Less common today is the tractor configuration. In this version, the engine and propeller are located at the front of the aircraft, ahead of the pilot and rotor mast. This was the primary configuration in early autogyros but became less common after the advent of the autogyro. Nonetheless, the tractor configuration has some advantages compared to a pusher, namely greater yaw stability (as the center of mass is farther away from the rudder), and greater ease in aligning the center of thrust with the center of mass to prevent "bunting" (engine thrust overwhelming the pitch control).[12]

History[edit]

Juan de la Ciervawas a Spanishengineer,inventor, pilot, and aeronautical enthusiast. In 1921, he participated in a design competition to develop a bomber for the Spanish military. De la Cierva designed a three-engined aircraft, but during an early test flight, the bomber stalled and crashed. De la 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 namedautogiroin 1923.[13]De la Cierva's autogiro used an airplane fuselage with a forward-mounted propeller and engine, an un-powered rotor mounted on a mast, and a horizontal and vertical stabilizer. His aircraft became the predecessor of the modernhelicopter.[14]

Early development[edit]

The first successful autogyro, the C.4, first flew in 1923
A Pitcairn autogyro NC-12681 at St. Hubert, Quebec. 19 August 1932

After four years of experimentation, de la Cierva invented the first practical rotorcraft the autogyro (autogiroin Spanish), in 1923. His first three designs (C.1,C.2,andC.3) were unstable because of aerodynamic and structural deficiencies in their rotors. His fourth design, theC.4,made the first documented flight of an autogyro on 17January 1923, piloted by Alejandro Gomez Spencer at Cuatro Vientos airfield in Madrid, Spain (9January according to de la Cierva).[6]

De la 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 fordissymmetry of lift,the difference in lift produced between the right and left sides of the rotor as the autogyro moves forward.[13][15]Three days later, the engine failed shortly after takeoff and the aircraft descended slowly and steeply to a safe landing, validating de la Cierva's efforts to produce an aircraft that could be flown safely at low airspeeds.

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

De la Cierva developed hisC.6model with the assistance of Spain's Military Aviation establishment, having expended all his funds on the development and construction of the first five prototypes. The C.6 first flew in February 1925, piloted by CaptainJoaquín Loriga,[16]including a flight of 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles) from Cuatro Vientos airfield toGetafeairfield in about eight minutes, a significant accomplishment for any rotorcraft of the time. Shortly after de la Cierva's success with the C.6, he accepted an offer from Scottish industrialist JamesG. Weir to establish theCierva Autogiro Companyin England, following a demonstration of the C.6 before the BritishAir MinistryatRAE Farnborough,on 20October 1925. Britain had become the world centre of autogyro development.

A crash in February 1926, caused by 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 18September 1928, made the first rotorcraft crossing of theEnglish Channelfollowed by a tour of Europe.

United States industrialistHarold Frederick Pitcairn,on learning of the successful flights of the autogyro, visited de la Cierva in Spain. In 1928, he visited him again, in England, after taking aC.8L.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 11December 1928 accompanied by Rawson, this autogyro was redesignated C.8W.[6]Subsequently, production of autogyros was licensed to several manufacturers, including thePitcairn Autogiro Companyin the United States andFocke-Wulfof Germany.

AFocke-Wulf-builtCierva C.19Mk.IV Autogiro

In 1927, German engineerEngelbert Zaschkainvented a combined helicopter and autogyro. The principal advantage of the Zaschka machine is its ability to remain motionless in the air for any length of time and to descend in a vertical line so that a landing could be accomplished on the flat roof of a large house. In appearance, the machine does not differ much from the ordinary monoplane, but the carrying wings revolve around the body.

Development of the autogyro continued in the search for a means to accelerate the rotor before 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 aC.19in 1929. Efforts in 1930 had shown that the development of a light and efficient mechanical transmission was not a trivial undertaking. In 1932 the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company ofWillow Grove, Pennsylvania,United Statessolved this problem with a transmission driven by the engine.

Buhl Aircraft Companyproduced itsBuhl A-1,the first autogyro with a propulsive rear motor, designed byEtienne Dormoyand meant for aerial observation (motor behind pilot and camera). It had its maiden flight on 15December 1931.[17]

Buhl A-1 Autogyrowith rear push propeller (1931)

De la 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, de la Cierva developed a direct control rotor hub, which could be tilted in any direction by the pilot. De la Cierva's direct control was first developed on the Cierva C.19 Mk.V and saw the production on theCierva C.30series of 1934. In March 1934, this type of autogyro became the firstrotorcraftto take off and land on the deck of a ship, when a C.30 performed trials on board theSpanish navyseaplane tenderDédalooff Valencia.[18]

Later that year, during the leftistAsturias revoltin October, an autogyro made a reconnaissance flight for the loyal troops, marking the first military employment of a rotorcraft.[19]

When improvements in helicopters made them practical, autogyros became largely neglected. Also, they were susceptible toground resonance.[15]They were, however, used in the 1930s by majornewspapers,and by theUnited States Postal Servicefor the mail service between cities in the northeast.[20]

Winter War[edit]

During theWinter Warof 1939–1940, theRed Army Air Forceused armedKamovA-7autogyros to provide fire correction forartillery batteries,carrying out20 combat flights.[21]The A-7 was the firstrotary-wing aircraftdesigned for combat,[22]armed with one7.62×54mmRPV-1 machine gun,a pair ofDegtyaryovmachine guns, and sixRS-82 rocketsor four FAB-100bombs.

World War II[edit]

Royal Air Force Avro Rota Mk 1 Cierva Autogiro C30 A, at theImperial War Museum Duxford,UK
Kayaba Ka-1

TheAvro Rotaautogyro, a military version of the Cierva C.30, was used by theRoyal Air Forceto calibratecoastal radar stationsduring and after theBattle of Britain.[23]

In World War II, Germany pioneered a very small gyrogliderrotor kite,theFocke-Achgelis Fa 330"Bachstelze" (wagtail), towed byU-boatsto provide aerial surveillance.

TheImperial Japanese Armydeveloped theKayaba Ka-1autogyro for reconnaissance, artillery-spotting, and anti-submarine uses. The Ka-1 was based on theKellett KD-1first 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. Production began in 1941, with the machines assigned to artillery units for spotting the fall of shells. These carried two crewmen: a pilot and a spotter.

Later, the Japanese Army commissioned two small aircraft carriers intended for coastalantisubmarine(ASW) duties. The spotter's position on the Ka-1 was modified 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.

With the beginning ofGerman invasion in USSRJune 1941, theSoviet Air Forceorganized new courses for trainingKamovA-7 aircrew and ground support staff. In August 1941, per the decision of the chief artillery directorate of theRed Army,based on the trained flight group and five combat-ready A-7 autogyros, the 1st autogyro artillery spotting aircraft squadron was formed, which was included in the strength of the 24th Army of theSoviet Air Force,combat active in the area aroundElnyanearSmolensk.From 30August to 5October 1941 the autogyros made19 combat sorties for artillery spotting. Not one autogyro was lost in action, while the unit was disbanded in 1942 due to the shortage of serviceable aircraft.[21]

Postwar developments[edit]

The autogyro was resurrected after World WarII when Dr.Igor Bensen,a Russian immigrant in the United States, saw a captured German U-boat'sFa330 gyrogliderand was fascinated by its characteristics. At work, he was tasked with the analysis of the British militaryRotachutegyro glider designed by an expatriate Austrian,Raoul Hafner.This led him to adapt the design for his purposes and eventually market theBensen B-7in 1955. Bensen submitted an improved version, theBensen B-8M,for testing to theUnited States Air Force,which designated it the X-25.[24]The B-8M was designed to use surplusMcCullochengines used on flying unmannedtarget drones.

Ken Wallisdeveloped a miniature autogyro craft, theWallisautogyro,in England in the 1960s, and autogyros built similar to Wallis' design appeared for many years. Ken Wallis' designs have been used in various scenarios, including military training, police reconnaissance, and in a search for theLoch Ness Monster,as well as an appearance in the 1967 James Bond movieYou Only Live Twice.

Three different autogyro designs have been certified by theFederal Aviation Administrationfor commercial production: the Umbaugh U-18/Air & Space 18Aof 1965, theAvian 2/180 Gyroplaneof 1967, and theMcCulloch J-2of 1972. All have been commercial failures, for various reasons.

TheKaman KSA-100 SAVER(Stowable Aircrew Vehicle Escape Rotorseat) is an aircraft-stowable gyroplane escape device designed and built for theUnited States Navy.Designed to be installed innaval combat aircraftas part of the ejection sequence, only one example was built and it did not enter service. It was powered by aWilliams WRC-19turbofanmaking it the first jet-powered autogyro.

Bensen Gyrocopter[edit]

The basicBensenGyrocopterdesign 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. Afront-to-back keel mounts a steerable nosewheel, seat, engine, and 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 apusher configurationfor 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.[citation needed]

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 asaluminiumandGRP-based composite.[citation needed]

Bensen's success triggered several other designs, some of them fatally flawed with an offset between thecentre of gravityand thrust line, risking apower push-over(PPO or buntover) causing the death of the pilot and giving gyroplanes, in general, a poor reputation – in contrast to de la Cierva's original intention and early statistics. Most new autogyros are now safe from PPO.[25]

21st-century development and use[edit]

GBA'sHawk 4 provided perimeter patrol during the2002 Winter Olympics.

In 2002, aGroen Brothers Aviation'sHawk 4provided perimeter patrol for theWinter OlympicsandParalympicsin Salt Lake City, Utah. The aircraft completed 67missions and accumulated 75hours of maintenance-free flight time during its 90-day operational contract.[26]

Worldwide, over 1,000 autogyros are used by authorities for military and law enforcement. The first U.S. police authorities to evaluate an autogyro were theTomball, Texas,police, on a $40,000[27]grant from theU.S. Department of Justicetogether with city funds,[28][29]costing much less than a helicopter to buy ($75,000) and operate ($50/hour).[30][31]Although it is able to land in 40-knot crosswinds,[32]a minor accident happened when the rotor was not kept under control in a wind gust.[33]

Autogyros and helicopters of the Kurdish Police

Since 2009, several projects inIraqi Kurdistanhave been realized. In 2010, the first autogyro was handed over to the Kurdish Minister of Interiors, Mr. Karim Sinjari. The project for the interior ministry was to train pilots to control and monitor the approach and takeoff paths of the airports inErbil,Sulaymaniyah,andDohukto prevent terrorist encroachments. The gyroplane pilots also form the backbone of the pilot crew of the Kurdish police, who are trained to pilot onEurocopterEC 120 Bhelicopters.[34][35][36]

In18 months from 2009 to 2010, the German pilot couple Melanie and Andreas Stützfor undertook the first world tour by autogyro, in which they flew several different gyroplane types in Europe, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and South America. The adventure was documented in the book "WELTFLUG – The Gyroplane Dream" and in the film "Weltflug.tv –The Gyrocopter World Tour".[37]

Helicopter autogyration[edit]

While autogyros are not helicopters, helicopters are capable ofautorotation.If a helicopter suffers a power failure, the pilot can adjust thecollective pitchto keep the rotor spinning generating enough lift to touch down and skid in a relatively soft landing viaautorotationof its rotor disc.[38]

Certification by national aviation authorities[edit]

United Kingdom certification[edit]

A VPM M-16 commences its take-off roll

Some autogyros, such as the Rotorsport MT03,[39]MTO Sport (open tandem), and Calidus (enclosed tandem), and the Magni Gyro M16C (open tandem)[40]& M24 (enclosed side by side) have type approval by theUnited Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority(CAA) under British Civil Airworthiness Requirements CAP643 SectionT.[41] Others operate under a permit to fly issued by thePopular Flying Associationsimilar to theU.S. experimental aircraft certification. However, the CAA's assertion that autogyros have a poor safety record means that a permit to fly will be granted only to existing types of an autogyro. All new types of autogyro must be submitted for full type approval under CAP643 SectionT.[42]The CAA allows gyro flight over congested areas.[43]

In 2005, the CAA issued a mandatory permit directive (MPD) which restricted operations for single-seat autogyros and were subsequently integrated into CAP643 Issue 3 published on 12August 2005.[41]The restrictions are concerned with the offset between thecentre of gravityand thrust line and apply to all aircraft unless evidence is presented to the CAA that the CG/Thrust Line offset is less than 2 inches (5 cm) in either direction. The restrictions are summarised as follows:

  • Aircraft with a cockpit/nacellemay be operated only by pilots with more than 50 hours of solo flight experience following the issue of their licence.
  • Open-frame aircraft are restricted to a minimum speed of 30 mph (48 km/h; 26 kn), except in the flare.
  • All aircraft are restricted to aVne(maximum airspeed) of 70 mph (110 km/h; 61 kn)
  • Flight is not permitted when surface winds exceed 17 mph (27 km/h; 15 kn) or if the gust spread exceeds 12 mph (19 km/h; 10 kn)
  • Flight is not permitted in moderate, severe, or extreme turbulence and airspeed must be reduced to 63 mph (101 km/h; 55 kn) if turbulence is encountered mid-flight.

These restrictions donotapply to autogyros with type approval under CAA CAP643 Section T, which are subject to the operating limits specified in the type approval.

United States certification[edit]

A Super Genie autogyro readying for takeoff

A certificated autogyro must meet mandated stability and control criteria; in theUnited Statesthese are outlined inFederal Aviation RegulationsPart 27: Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft.[44] The U.S.Federal Aviation Administrationissues aStandard Airworthiness Certificateto qualified autogyros. Amateur-built or kit-built aircraft are operated under aSpecial Airworthiness Certificatein the Experimental category.[45]Per FAR 1.1, the FAA uses the term "gyroplane" for all autogyros, regardless of the type of airworthiness certificate.

World records[edit]

In 1931,Amelia Earhart(U.S.) flew aPitcairn PCA-2to a women's world altitude record of 18,415 ft (5,613 m).[46]

Wing CommanderKen Wallis(U.K.) held most of the autogyro world records during his autogyro flying career. These include a time-to-climb,[47]a speed record of 189 km/h (111.7 mph),[48]and the straight-line distance record of 869.23 km (540.11 mi). On 16November 2002, at 89 years of age, Wallis increased the speed record to 207.7 km/h (129.1 mph)[49]– and simultaneously set another world record as the oldest pilot to set a world record.

Until 2019, the autogyro was one of the last remaining types of aircraft which had not yetcircumnavigatedthe globe. The 2004Expedition Global Eaglewas the first attempt to do so using an autogyro.[50]The expedition set the record for the longest flight over water by an autogyro during the segment fromMuscat, Oman,toKarachi.[51]The attempt was finally abandoned because of bad weather after having covered 7,500 miles (12,100 km).

Little Wing Autogyro

As of 2014,Andrew Keech (U.S.) holds several records. He made a transcontinental flight in his self-builtLittle Wing Autogyro"Woodstock" fromKitty Hawk, North Carolina,toSan Diego,California,in October 2003, breaking the record set 72years earlier byJohnny Millerin a Pitcairn PCA-2. He also set three world records for speed over a recognized course.[52]On 9February 2006 he broke two of his world records and set a record for distance, ratified by theFédération Aéronautique Internationale(FAI): Speed over a closed circuit of 500 km (311 mi) without payload: 168.29 km/h (104.57 mph),[53]speed over a closed circuit of 1,000 km (621 mi) without payload: 165.07 km/h (102.57 mph),[54]and distance over a closed circuit without landing: 1,019.09 km (633.23 mi).[55][56]

MagniGyro M16 – Altitude world record holder

On 7 November 2015, the Italian astrophysicist and pilotDonatella Riccitook off with aMagniGyro M16from the Caposile aerodrome in Venice, aiming to set a new altitude world record. She reached an altitude of 8,138.46 m (26,701 ft), breaking the women's world altitude record held for 84years by Amelia Earhart. The following day, she increased the altitude by a further 261 m, reaching 8,399 m (27,556 ft), setting the new altitude world record with an autogyro. She improved by 350 m (+4.3%) the preceding record established by Andrew Keech in 2004.[57]

AutogyroLittle Nelliewith its creator and pilot,Ken Wallis
List of autogyro records
Year Pilot Record type Record Aircraft Notes
1998 Ken Wallis(U.K.) Time to climb 3000m 7:20 min[47] Wallis Type WA-121/Mc (G-BAHH)
2002 Ken Wallis(U.K.) Speed over a 3 km course 207.7 km/h[49] Wallis Type WA-121/Mc (G-BAHH) Oldest pilot to set the record
2015 Donatella Ricci(ITA) Altitude 8399 m[57] Magni M16 – Rotax 914 engine
2015 Paul A Salmon (USA) Distance without landing 1653.0 km[58] Magni M22-Missing Link II (N322MG) 10 November 2015
2015 Norman Surplus (U.K.) First crossing of the Atlantic Ocean[59] 5.3 km/h[59] Autogyro MT-03

(G-YROX)

11 August

2015

2019 Norman Surplus (U.K.) First physical circumnavigation of the world[60][61][62]

(4 years 28 days)

not submitted for speed record Autogyro MT-03

(G-YROX)

28 June

2019

2019 James Ketchell(U.K.) First circumnavigation of the world[63]and speed around the world, eastbound[64] 44,450 km Magni M16C

(G-KTCH)

22 September 2019

Norman Surplus,from Larne in Northern Ireland, became the second person to attempt a world circumnavigation by gyroplane/autogyro type aircraft on 22March 2010, flying a Rotorsport UK MT-03 Autogyro, registered G-YROX. Surplus was unable to get permission to enter Russian airspace from Japan, but he established nine world autogyro records on his flight between Northern Ireland and Japan between 2010 and 2011. FAI world records for autogyro flight.[65]

G-YROX was delayed (by the Russian impasse) in Japan for over three years before being shipped across the Pacific to the state ofOregon,United States. From 1June 2015, Surplus flew fromMcMinnville, Oregon,across the continental United States, through northern Canada/Greenland, and in late July/August made the first crossing of the North Atlantic by autogyro aircraft to land back inLarne, Northern Irelandon 11August 2015. He established a further ten FAI World Records during this phase of the circumnavigation flight.

After a nine-year wait (since 2010), permission to fly U.K. registered gyroplanes through the Russian Federation was finally approved, and on 22April 2019, Surplus and G-YROX continued eastwards from Larne, Northern Ireland, to cross Northern Europe and rendezvous with fellow gyroplane pilot James Ketchell piloting Magni M16 Gyroplane G-KTCH. Flying in loose formation the two aircraft made the first Trans-Russia flight by gyroplane together to reach theBering Sea.To cross theBering Strait,the two aircraft took off from Provideniya Bay, Russia on 7June 2019 and landed atNome, Alaskaon 6June having also made the first gyroplane crossing of theinternational date line.After crossing Alaska and western Canada, on 28June 2019, Surplus piloting G-YROX, became the first person to circumnavigate the world in a gyroplane upon returning to theEvergreen Aviation and Space Museum,McMinnville, Oregon, U.S.[citation needed]

Over the nine years it had taken Surplus to complete the task, G-YROX flew 27,000 nautical miles (50,000 km) through 32countries.

The first physical circumnavigation of the globe by an Autogyro, Oregon to Oregon, had taken Surplus and G-YROX, four years and 28 days to complete, after being dogged by long diplomatic delays in gaining the necessary permission to fly across Russian Federation Airspace. However, as the flight had been severely stalled and interrupted en-route by lengthy delays it was no longer deemed eligible for setting a first, continuously flown, speed record around the world and so this task was then left to James Ketchell to complete, by setting a first official speed record flight around the world for an Autogyro type aircraft, some three months later.

Subsequently, on 22September 2019, Ketchell was awarded the world record from theGuinness World Recordsas the first circumnavigation of the world in an autogyro[63]and from theFédération Aéronautique Internationalefor the first certified "Speed around the World, Eastbound" circumnavigation in an E-3a Autogyro. He completed his journey in 175 days.[64]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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Further reading[edit]

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