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Gyroplane History

The first documented concept of a rotating-wing aircraft was created by Leonardo DaVinci. His concept became a reality on January 9, 1923, when engineer and inventor Juan de la Cierva flew his “autogiro” with unpowered rotors for the first time. Since then, the design has been improved upon until reaching the sleek-bodied, modern design that gyroplanes are now known for.

Gyroplane Flight Dynamics

Performance

Unlike a helicopter, a gyroplane’s rotor blades are not connected to the engine, except during pre-rotation just before takeoff. The rotor blades auto-rotate by way of being loaded and traveling through air. Thus, a gyroplane does not need the engine to be in control in order to fly.

Instead, the engine keeps the gyroplane moving forward, without losing altitude. In the event of an engine out, the gyroplane will simply start to lose altitude and can land with almost zero roll – meaning it can touch down gently and then safely come to a stop. It needs a relatively small space (300 to 600 feet) to break ground on takeoff, and can land in a patch of land as small as a tennis court.

Stability

The stability of the gyroplane in turbulence is unrivaled, thanks to its wing loading and gyro effect. Gyroplanes cut through the air smoothly, without letting you feel many bumps. Plus, the controls are smooth and require little movement.

A roll upset (aircraft suddenly banking or rolling to one side without a commanded pilot input) in a gyroplane, due to thermals or shear, is very rare. However, it is common in airplanes and other winged aircraft. Due to this, you can fly the gyroplane in some conditions where many heavier airplanes are uncomfortable to fly.

Control

Gyroplanes cannot stall or spin. Even at zero indicated airspeed, the controls are responsive. This is further exemplified by the fact that, when losing altitude due to being behind the power curve, you remain in command and have the ability to fly out of it. Gyroplanes can fly very slowly, and can handle strong wind and mid-day turbulence with comfort and ease. A gyroplane can take you where you want to go at 80 to 100 mph, as well.

Gyroplane Stowing & Hauling

American Ranger 1 Gyroplane

The award-winning American Ranger 1 (AR-1) is a modern gyroplane proudly manufactured in the USA by SilverLight Aviation. Our 12000 sq. ft. factory is located in the greater Tampa Bay area of central Florida, which graces us with nearly year-round favorable weather for test flying and pilot training. Builder’s assist is available at our facility at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. This ensures that your gyroplane is assembled properly with knowledgeable mechanics and electrical technicians, and that you have help obtaining your aircraft’s airworthiness certification.

The AR-1 combines eye-catching design elements and style, balanced with ever-important safety features and performance. The AR-1 cuts through turbulence and high wind better than most gyroplanes, for smooth and comfortable flying. With speeds ranging as high as 110 mph or as slow as 25 mph, you can enjoy a cross-country adventure or sight-see around your environment at a leisurely pace, while in complete control.

Enclosure Options

The AR-1 gyroplane has a convertible option (AR-1C), with the choice of being fully-enclosed or having two windshields. This is a unique option, in its class and price range, giving you the option to fly with a semi-open cockpit with windshields or with a fully-enclosed canopy with cabin heat for winter months. This gives you the best of both worlds in one gyroplane. The enclosed canopy can also be ordered and installed at a later point by the factory or service station.

Engineering

The rotor system is the venerable high-inertia Stella rotor system by Averso, which is Aluminum alloy rotor with over 14 years of history without a single crack. The carriage is built on a high-strength welded stainless-steel frame, with a fiberglass composite streamlined fairing, with an effective tail for excellent stability and control.

The AR-1’s controls are easily accessible and made primarily of metal tubes not push-pull control cables. The main landing gear is 7075-T6 aluminum leaf spring which supplies a slower spring back rate than composite leaf gear found in many production machines. Landing gear is covered by lift generating composite fairings. Hydraulic disc brakes are installed on both main wheels, with wheel pants.

The AR-1 gyroplane has a composite three or four blade propeller, a high pressure parking brake valve under the pilot seat on the right side, an electrical speed trim actuated via the top center hat on the stick and mechanical pre-rotator to start the blades rotating before takeoff and rotor brake system with lever actuated under pilot’s left leg with an over center pull up, completes cockpit driven systems

Additionally, the AR-1 is available powered by field-proven industry standard Rotax aircraft four-stroke power plants. It comes with a choice of either Rotax 912ULS (dual carbs) or 912iS (fuel injected) 100 HP engine or the turbocharged Rotax 914UL 115HP engine for better performance and operation at higher altitudes or the latest technology in Rotax aircraft engine line, Rotax 915iS, with fuel injected turbo charged 141 HP that can really kick things up. The kit can be supplied with or without the engine upon customer’s request. 17 US gallon Aluminum welded fuel tank ensures compatibility with any type of fuel.

Cockpit

Both of the gyroplane’s seats are comfortable, with the front seat being more spacious to accommodate for the pilot’s controls. The tandem configuration allows for panoramic views for both the pilot and the passenger. The instrument panel is arranged intuitively with conventional gauges and space for Garmin 696 or 796 GPS, iFly GPS 740. If you are technology savvy you can have your gyroplane with MGL Avionics Xtreme or iEFIS Lite systems.

Flight Dynamics

The American Ranger 1 (AR-1) gyro establishes new norms in modern pusher-style gyroplanes, with its expanded and more effective tail, closer to CG thrust line and offset in-flight dynamics. The AR-1 has little coupling between power and yaw, and power and pitch. This is achieved after careful engineering and flight testing, where other models or similar looking configurations may exhibit these characteristics, AR-1 does not and thus behaves as a more forgiving aircraft.

The AR-1’s high inertia rotor system and clean lines give it a better glide ratio and energy retention, making landing easier and more forgiving – even for beginner pilots. Its flexible landing gear absorb and release energy back slowly rather than simply spring back landing shocks.

Its front (or nose) wheel is linked to the rudder for easier taxing, but also has trail which allows a good compromise in both ground handling and in lessening danger of a pilot touching down the nose wheel while the front wheel is angled sideways (like in a crosswind but there is still some forward speed left). The front wheel will try to straighten itself out. In fact, the faster you go, the more the front wheel wants to go straight.

Additionally, the AR-1’s landing gear fairings act as small wings at faster speeds and also help further stabilize the gyroplane. A full descending pedal turn shows its effective rudder without power at very slow speeds. These points show the AR-1’s superior in-flight control compared to similar configurations. It’s possible to have five bags. Two under front seat bags provide spacious storage of up to 15 pounds. Optional landing gear fairing large wrap around bags, afford you ample space to pack for an adventurous weekend getaway.

Support

SilverLight Aviation is no stranger to light aircraft, aircraft design, engineering and certification for multiple categories of aircraft. The US-based support is personal, technical and responses are fast. You are not just a number among thousands and your answers are given to you by experienced engineers and pilots who know the details about the design and sub-systems used in the aircraft.