Flight Performance of Lightweight Gyroplanes

Kurzfassung

The flight performance of modern lightweight gyroplanes is investigated in this paper. The final goal is to explore the possibilities increasing the airspeed of gyroplanes. The gyroplane flight physics are examined briefly particularly the autorotation during vertical descent and forward flight. The early research work, such as the gliding tests with a PCA-2 gyroplane conducted by Wheatley in the thirties are considered as basis for the analysis of modern gyroplanes. The validated simulation model of a new generation gyroplane of type MTOsport is used in order to investigate relevant flight performance parameters. The glide ratios of the rotor alone and of the total aircraft are determined and the results are discussed in comparison with the PCA-2 data. Finally the potential of gyroplane perfomance improvement by means of drag reduction is discussed by comparison with a light airplane.