What types of Gyroplane are available in the UK?

There are an increasing number of Gyros on the market today and though the latest are fabricated from composite materials such as carbon fibre, all share the same parentage and therefore conform to the same basic design principals. By tradition Gyroplanes in this country are almost exclusively home built.
Machines in common use range from:

The "Open Frame" Bensen which consists of a metal airframe supporting the engine and a single seat for the pilot, both of which are fully exposed to the elements.

The Cricket and Montgomery Merlin and which look more complicated but are an "Open Frame" with a fibreglass pod added to protect the pilot.

The RAF 2000 which is a fully enclosed, two-seated machine at the upper end of the range of home-built machines.

Recently (in 2006) some factory-built machines are becoming available: the MT-03, Magni M16 and ELA-07 are all two-seat machines.

Where can I buy an Gyroplane?

Up until recently there was no such thing as a new, ready to fly, UK Gyroplane - but now the MT-03 has passed testing to UK regulations and is available to fly. The Magni M16 and ELA-07 are being tested and (all being well) should be available late in 2006. Previously, legal constraints have stipulated that all "new" machines must be sold as kits for assembly by the purchaser and that the builder must do 51% of the construction. There is a moderate second hand market for machines. These machines can be found in the BRA magazine, free to all members, and the magazine published by the Popular Flying Association. Caution should be exercised in purchasing a second hand Gyroplane. It is always worth taking along some one experienced in Gyroplane engineering when you go to view a machine.

Yes. Though it is possible in some countries to fly "Ultralight" Gyroplanes without a licence, the UK is not one of them. You must gain a PPL (G), a licence specific to gyroplanes. Even in less regulated places, there is a growing suspicion among pedestrians that the pilot passing overhead should have a working knowledge of how to control his or her machine ;-)

How do I learn to fly an Gyroplane?

There are two distinct methods on offer at the moment - "dual" training where you and your instructor share a two-seat machine and "Single" where you sit in the only seat on your machine, while your instructor stands by the runway giving instructions over the radio. Most schools in the UK have a 2 seat machine they will hire out to you for dual training. If you opt for single seat training however, you will generally have to buy your own machine as a first step. Both methods work. Though Dual is roughly double the price of single seat training at £80 - £100 depending on facilities and Aircraft type , it is less stressful for both instructor and students alike. There is one fundamental certainty in flying Gyroplanes - regardless of your previous flying experience, you must get yourself properly trained. If you attempt to teach yourself, YOU WILL become a CRASH!!! statistic - so be warned & be sensible.

• At least 40 hours actual flight training..
• Fly to another airfield which must be more than 25 nautical miles distant.
• Pass a General Flight Test under the supervision of an approved Gyroplane Examiner.
• Pass six flying related examinations.
• Pass a medical.

Do current Private Pilots Licence holders get dispensation?

For those who already hold a valid PPL (A) or PPL (H) - aeroplanes and helicopters respectively - dispensation is granted from all written examinations except Aircraft Technical. They will also be expected to achieve at least 25 logged hours of flight training with a Gyroplane instructor.