4 ms·
Why aren’t we pursuing gyrocopters! They’re STOVL, extremely simple to build, and basically fail safe. I’d imagine a small batter pack and motor could even ma
by bilsbie 3y ago
Why aren’t we pursuing gyrocopters!
They’re STOVL, extremely simple to build, and basically fail safe.
I’d imagine a small batter pack and motor could even make it vertical takeoff too.
- xnx 3y agoObligatory: https://xkcd.com/1972/ https://xkcd.com/1972/
- ricardobeat 3y agoWouldn’t they be a lot less efficient? This vehicle already does VTOL, and switches to wing flight for cruising, I don’t see how you could beat that. On safety, the theory doesn’t always match reality, if I recall correctly Gyros are statistically one of the most dangerous recreational aircraft [source needed].
- avidiax 3y ago> I’d imagine a small batter pack and motor could even make it vertical takeoff too. That makes it a helicopter. A gyrocopter has to have an unpowered rotor, which makes it much easier to fly, since there is no reaction force requiring a tail rotor.
- dingaling 3y agoMany gyrocopters can clutch the gearbox to the rotor for "jump" takeoff, they ae still classed as gyros because the rotor is unpowered in flight. On the ground the torque is resisted by the wheel brakes. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3RPYWmdv174 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3RPYWmdv174
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago> They’re STOVL This doesn’t work in an urban environment. It’s why the Rotodyne started up with rockets.
- histriosum 3y agoFail safe? Most definitely not. I'm a gyrocopter fan, but their safety record is not fantastic. Among other traits is a significant sensitivity to negative G maneuvers, even mild ones. Commercial AMEL Instrument rated here. I do hope to get my gyro rating at some point, but the safety statistics are definitely not comparable to fixed wing.