Why are gyrocopters not administered by RAA?

[newairly]

I have wondered for a long time why the administration of gyrocopters ended up in a separate body to most of the rest of the ultralight fraternity. Gliding I can understand because it has been around for ever.

 

What is the history behind the separate organisations.

 

Phil

 

 

[Guest GraemeM]

I have wondered for a long time why the administration of gyrocopters ended up in a separate body to most of the rest of the ultralight fraternity. Gliding I can understand because it has been around for ever.What is the history behind the separate organisations.

Phil

I was wondering why ultralights ended up in a seperate body and not with gyro's.

 

Gyro's have been around and very popular since the 50's.

 

Graeme.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

The ASRA and gyrocopters have been around long before the formation of the AUF/RAAus.

 

Being invited to attend Natfly would be the limit to the history between the two associations.

 

They would have more history with the SAAA, the SAAA had a (non govening) division for them during the 80's.

 

Ozzie

 

 

[facthunter]

Probably just the way they evolved. I don't know who governed them in the 50's and 60's but there were a few mishaps. Think they were a Barnes-Wallace design with twin triumph engines and probably Enfield- McCulloch as well. Nev

 

 

[turboplanner]

In fact the Bee Gyrocopter in the '50's could be built from plans in your shed. A lot of them went down quicker than they climbed up.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

I like the Gyro in a suitcase in the '67 James Bond movie Goldfinger. Well 4 suitcases.

 

 

[Guest GraemeM]

In fact the Bee Gyrocopter in the '50's could be built from plans in your shed. A lot of them went down quicker than they climbed up.

The "Bee" is a fairly new gyro from the US, I think you got mixed up with the Benson from the 50s and 60s that we all read about in popular mechanics.

Graeme.

 

 

[Spin]

Little Nellie. I find them fascinating machines, aside from anything else they seem to be one of the most practical trailable aircraft and don't take up a great deal of room in a hangar either.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJdi-rNcEVc

 

 

[turboplanner]

The "Bee" is a fairly new gyro from the US, I think you got mixed up with the Benson from the 50s and 60s that we all read about in popular mechanics.Graeme.

No, I didn't squat with my spurs on, it was an Australian design. As a kid I think I bought the plans for five pounds, built a twin rotor model which didn't fly because I didn't understand blade technology.

 

The guy was actually suggesting one way to operate them was tethered in a strong wind.

 

I don't think his aerodynamics where all that good either, they kept sliding off sideways into the ground from about 50 feet, killing a lot of builders.

 

The Bensen had a much better record.

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Apart from the sound being out of sync, I enjoyed that. Never saw the film. Did you notice that the 4 'copters were flown from the left hand seat. Kinda unusual isn't it? Even distant shots seem to show only one occupant.

 

 

[.Evan.]

Apart from the sound being out of sync, I enjoyed that. Never saw the film. Did you notice that the 4 'copters were flown from the left hand seat. Kinda unusual isn't it? Even distant shots seem to show only one occupant.

You're picking inconsistencies and plot holes in a Bond movie???

 

 

[Spin]

I'll leave it to the fling-wing drivers to explain why, but I understand that some choppers are flown from the LHS and some may be flown from either, depending on the intended task.

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Can't remember if it was on these forums or another but I raised the question as to why helo's were flown from the right hand seat. Apparently is to offset the torque of the rotor and on a single seat gyro, the mast is offset or angled to do the same thing.

 

As for 'picking inconsistencies' .............I love to. If a film is worth making, it's worth getting right. Any one see the centurion in 'Alexander the Great' wearing a wrist watch. How many times on tv do you see obvious changes in body position as shots go from one perspective to another. So bl@#$y annoying.

 

 

[turboplanner]

As for 'picking inconsistencies' .............I love to. If a film is worth making, it's worth getting right. Any one see the centurion in 'Alexander the Great' wearing a wrist watch. How many times on tv do you see obvious changes in body position as shots go from one perspective to another. So bl@#$y annoying.

You've got a sharp eye Doug. There's a forum somewhere that specialises in this. They usually pick 20 or 30 faults in a film.

 

 

[Ronin]

You juts gotta love Bond, James Bond. lol

 

 

[facthunter]

I love to see footage of real aircraft actually having the right sounds etc, even IF it is often black and white. The digital representation in films like Tora Tora and "the Aviator" suck by comparison. Nev

 

 

[bilby54]

Little Nellie. I find them fascinating machines, aside from anything else they seem to be one of the most practical trailable aircraft and don't take up a great deal of room in a hangar either.

We have one in our hanger. Great for hanging the washing on especially on windless days!!

 

 

[Tex]

I'll leave it to the fling-wing drivers to explain why, but I understand that some choppers are flown from the LHS and some may be flown from either, depending on the intended task.

Yes task, W&B, torque and the like... left seat may be better for slinging, long lining... leaning over collective instead of away from it.

 

 

[eightyknots]

Which body administer sad mishaps like this one? http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-killed-in-australian-gyrocopter-crash-4690026

 

My sincere condolences to the families concerned.

 

 

[Stillhere]

Why is the medical level higher for gyroplane pilots than that of RAAUS LSA pilots which is fit to drive a motor vehicle.

 

 

[winsor68]

I'll leave it to the fling-wing drivers to explain why, but I understand that some choppers are flown from the LHS and some may be flown from either, depending on the intended task.

These legendary aviators flew their Bell47's exclusively from the left hand seat... perhaps something to do with mustering? Bloody legends!

 

 

 

[Admin]

To answer the question of why Gyros and Ultralights are not administered together is due to the accident rate of Gyros being much higher then ultralights and thus bringing them into RAAus would negatively impact too many things...that was the answer I was given by the long standing board members when I was on the board

 

 

[Russ]

No........the above statement is incorrect, i've been flying gyros since 1974 thereabouts, yes we built from a set of plans, we even taught ourselves to fly the things from a BOOK.......who among you here would try doing that to fly .........especially when you had ZERO aviation experience what so ever. 2 seaters were unheard of, instructors zero.........we were dropping like flies trying to aviate. Most of us survived, but bent one or 2.......too many didn't tho

 

There was no "governing body" in those days other than CASA.......1984 saw the birth of "ASRA".....now we had "Our organisation"....from then to now, advancements have been mind blowing. Comparing early days to now......is comparing chalk to cheese.

 

ASRA.......has never ever approached another aviation body to unite..........never, infact quite the opposite. Tentative approach from another body some yrs back to us was quashed instantly........keeping our autonomy was paramount.

 

Like you......we have regular CASA audits, and we pass with flying colours.......even receive comments along the lines of " be nice for other bodies to attain our standards "

 

Our numbers are small.......400.....500 approx, yearly membership including registration is around $160.

 

"Turn key" machines abound, singles and 2 seaters, and yes you can still build your own.......but with strict design perameters, and "inspections" before you can fly it off.

 

SAFETY.........and promoting ongoing safety is paramount. Pilot training is strict, and regular flight revues are compulsory.

 

Hope this clears some matters...............russ

 

 

[Admin]

No........the above statement is untrue

Russ, just a "point of order"...the above statement is true as the statement is "what" was said...may well not be fact but still true in that it was said

 

 

[Russ]

My mistake......i've changed "that word".........i was not meaning "untrue" in the meaning of a lie..........sorry