Flying The Gyrocopter F.C.ODELL Gyrocopter, Aviation, Airplane, Aircraft

A Frank Odell Web Page

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Page Content

This page introduces viewers to today's Gyrocopter. Pictures show the thrill of flying low and slow (while operating safely). Also, some personal experience and knowledge is included to add flavor.

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Unofficial Web Page

Page History

Page Was Created:
02/08/97

Last Improvement:
11/24/02 08/28/03 11/10/03 11/19/03 07/15/04 11/11/04 05/23/05 03/23/08

The author of this web page is located on Merritt Island, Florida, USA

Air Operations
Gyrocopters Have Been Around Since The 1920s
Gyrocopters fit between helicopters and airplanes. The Gyrocopter (with pre-rotation capability) can jump into the air. It can fly very slowly, almost like a helicopter and is of much simpler construction, like an airplane. The Gyrocopter can land in very little space and can approach for landing much like a helicopter.

When a discussion of gyrocopters occurs it almost always ends with a comparison of the capabilities and costs of airplanes, helicopters and gyrocopters. Gyrocopters are much cheaper to own and operate than a helicopter, but they do not have the vertical abilities of the helicopter. Gyrocopters can successfully takeoff and land in a much smaller area than an airplane, but the gyrocopter does not have the load carrying abilities or the range of a plane. In short: the gyrocopter can do some things better than an airplane, but a helicopter can do it better than both of them and the gyrocopter can do some things better than a helicopter, an airplane can do it better than both of them. There are other differences to, but we seldom get to them.

The gyrocopter shown on this page is kept on the Flagler County Airport and is used for flight instruction, rental and demonstration flights. Most gyrocopters are solo aircraft, single seat, and are used for personal enjoyment. The skill level required of the gyrocopter pilot is much less than is required for helicopter flying. Many years ago a commercially built gyrocopter was produced and was doing well in the market place. The product was killed by a hostile take-over of the parent company. I read recently that another group has acquired the rights and tooling to produce the aircraft, but since reading the article I have seen nothing.

Photographs by Phil Blaha - KA3YBG - of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Words by Frank Odell - KA1FCF - of Merritt Island, Florida.

Super Fly Olney

We have no connection to this company or group

Cartergyro We have no connection to the Carter Company
Communications Panel
......Drop us a line about your experiences or suggestions.	......Site Map of our web site. Link tested 01/07/07.
......Web site home page. Link tested 01/07/07.	......Operating the Gyrocopter on the ground. Link tested 01/07/07.
......What does it look like up close. Link tested 01/07/07.	......Miscellaneous information and some of the people in our group. Link tested 01/07/07.
......Frequently Asked Questions, Gyro Terms and an excellent forum. Rotary Wing Forum. --Thanks to Mike in Kansas City for this link. -- Link tested 01/07/07.	......Spare
......Spare	......Spare
......Jeff Lewis has created a very professional web site about Gyrocopters. His knowledge is professional level and I suggest you visit his site if you are serious about flying or building a Gyrocopter. This site also has links to other professional sites. --Frank-- Link tested 01/07/07.
Web Page Created By Frank C. Odell BOTTOM OF PAGE