[Nuker]

Didn't see this fitting into Rotary or Fixed wing categories

So has anyone out there built and flown an autogyro? Is there a Cdn distributer for Arizona Autogyro company?

Bob

[Gary Maker]

Its a plane...no its a helicopter....ahhhh no, its an autogyro??????

What the heck you want one of those things for Nuke? I've seen a couple fly and they are sort of wonkie but if your into something different I guess your on the right track!!!

[Nuker]

Always gotta stay on the edge there Gary. Some people like flying lawn mowers, witches etc etc. I just think the concept of the autogyro is fascinating and certainly unique up here in sunny Ontario

Then again, I also built a Pete n Poke

[DBlackadder]

I've been thinking about one of the Arizona kits for my next project. I e-mailed them, they aren't aware of anyone here carrying their kits, but were happy to ship.

I wanted to take a peek at one but they're not set up to or not able to give contact info for Canadian customers.

Let us all know if/when you buy and how it goes.

[Phil Harris]

I have built and flown 2 different models of Arizona 'gyros. I have also attended and flown at the "GyroNuts" fun fly's for the last 5 years. What questions do you have?

Phil

[DBlackadder]

Well, to start with, what did you think of the kits? I like to build rather than fly (but an autogyro might get me there). Quality, instructions etc.

And I am curious about what they're like to fly too.

Many thanks.

[Nuker]

hmmm got me interested again too

Weird thing is that if they had a distributer in Canada, they'd probably sell more up here. I got plans to build my own autogyro (this is an old post) but there are still one or two models that Arizona sells that interest me.

The kits look pretty straightforward but how well do they build and more importantly, how do they fly; particularly on takeoffs and landings.

Bob

[Phil Harris]

O.K. my 2c , Steve's kits are of good quality, cut by Sig,( most of them, although I'm not sure about the latest ones, as I havn't talked with him recently). and the instructions are generally good. They build well, and should not be any problem for anyone who has built anything like an AstroHog for example. I have built and flown the Cierva and the profile Pitcairn, I have flown the GyroBee (glow version). The Cierva flies very well, but is a little trickey on take-off. Hand launching for the first few flights in strongly suggested. The Pitcairn, IMHO, was a dog. very touchy on ground handling and really tricky in the air. If you are confident with a twitchy pattern plane, you would be right at home with the Pitcairn. The GyroBee is a treat to fly, well behaved with good reaction times. The big Kellett is a terrific looking plane but I have only seen a very good 'gyro pilot flyit (Rick Anderson).

I hope that gives you some idea. I did write a review on the Pitcairn for the MAAC mag, but I think it got lost when they changed publishers, 'cause it never appeared.

If I can answer any further questions, I would be very happy to help. as for my Cierva, it is the one on my avitar.

Phil

[DBlackadder]

Bob, where'd you get the plans and how did you fabricate the rotor head - or did you?

[DBlackadder]

Cheers Phil. Very useful.

Mmmm..as long as I'm not goping to be the one to fly it...