It sounds like a really fun sport and "No", I don't have a 'death wish'.  :))

Your experiences and thoughts, especially on reputable manufacturers, are appreciated.

One rule to remember.
Never fly higher, than you want to fall. ;)

Quote from: MAC Man on May 08, 2011, 05:50:41 PM
It sounds like a really fun sport and "No", I don't have a 'death wish'.  :))

Your experiences and thoughts, especially on reputable manufacturers, are appreciated.

I am a pilot, but never flew either because they are considered dangerous.

That was an interesting article.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/diy-flying/4342662

I used to hang glide years ago, and I believe its more dangerous than a gyro any day, but it was still relatively safe.
Thats why I say, fly no higher than you want to fall.

Quote from: MAC Man on May 08, 2011, 05:50:41 PM
It sounds like a really fun sport and "No", I don't have a 'death wish'.  :))

Your experiences and thoughts, especially on reputable manufacturers, are appreciated.

For your information, Mac~~

I have known about 10 to 12 ultralight owners. All crashed their ultralights. Roughly half had mechanical problems. The other half, I do not recall what occurred. I have also heard the gyrocopter is also unsafe. I only know of one friend who crashed his gyrocopter up near Knoxville. I still havent heard what happened on that occasion.

Either way, they arent safe like an airplane or glider. I should have stated earlier I was comparing them to the more normal form of flight.

Quote from: Solar on May 08, 2011, 07:41:32 PM
That was an interesting article.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/diy-flying/4342662

I used to hang glide years ago, and I believe its more dangerous than a gyro any day, but it was still relatively safe.
Thats why I say, fly no higher than you want to fall.

Here is something nestled in the middle of a postively written article on the subject of the gyro.

QUOTE:
Which brings us back to the original question: Are gyroplanes deathtraps or overlooked marvels of the air? True, gyroplanes have a relatively high accident rate. But with proper training, the risk can be minimized. Brian Pagan, a graduate student in engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, has analyzed 20 years of gyroplane crash statistics. "There was nothing in my findings to indicate that gyroplanes are particularly dangerous," he says, "as long as you follow the rules."   


Read more: Gyroplanes Flying - Video Rotary Air Force 200 Gyroplane - Popular Mechanics


Solar, my point is... all it takes is one accident for a man to end up a vegetable or dead.

Quote from: U_Kay on May 08, 2011, 08:31:20 PM

Here is something nestled in the middle of a postively written article on the subject of the gyro.

QUOTE:
Which brings us back to the original question: Are gyroplanes deathtraps or overlooked marvels of the air? True, gyroplanes have a relatively high accident rate. But with proper training, the risk can be minimized. Brian Pagan, a graduate student in engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, has analyzed 20 years of gyroplane crash statistics. "There was nothing in my findings to indicate that gyroplanes are particularly dangerous," he says, "as long as you follow the rules."   


Read more: Gyroplanes Flying - Video Rotary Air Force 200 Gyroplane - Popular Mechanics


Solar, my point is... all it takes is one accident for a man to end up a vegetable or dead.

Yet you missed this.

  "There was nothing in my findings to indicate that gyroplanes are particularly dangerous," he says, "as long as you follow the rules."
Sounds like pilot error to me.

Quote from: Solar on May 08, 2011, 08:38:31 PM
Yet you missed this.

  "There was nothing in my findings to indicate that gyroplanes are particularly dangerous," he says, "as long as you follow the rules."
Sounds like pilot error to me.
 
Read more: Gyroplanes Flying - Video Rotary Air Force 200 Gyroplane - Popular Mechanics

Read more: Gyroplanes Flying - Video Rotary Air Force 200 Gyroplane - Popular Mechanics

Actually, I didnt miss it. Truth is, people become a bit of show-offs and forget their training.

Btw, some of the best advice a pilot can give to another is dont fly low and dont fly slow. Both are very dangerous. However, dont ever show-off either and ultralights and gyrocopters are the types which people tend to show-off in sooner or later. There goes the training, huh?

Quote from: U_Kay on May 08, 2011, 09:39:36 PM

Actually, I didnt miss it. Truth is, people become a bit of show-offs and forget their training.

Btw, some of the best advice a pilot can give to another is dont fly low and dont fly slow. Both are very dangerous. However, dont ever show-off either and ultralights and gyrocopters are the types which people tend to show-off in sooner or later. There goes the training, huh?

I think that is probably it, like saying all motorbikes under 50cc kill more children, but when you delve into the details of stats, you see the fact is, children are inexperienced and not big enough to ride full sized bikes, and older people can't fit the smaller ones
And so the Gyro sport attracts beginners on a budget looking for a thrill, in turn, raising the stats on fatalities among the craft.

Quote from: U_Kay on May 08, 2011, 08:21:18 PM
I only know of one friend who crashed his gyrocopter up near Knoxville. I still havent heard what happened on that occasion.

I forgot about two other gyrocopter stories to tell you, Mac.

A friend named Bill J. decided he wanted to purchase a gyrocopter so he was taken right outside of Mobile Alabama to purchase one. The salesman of the gyrocopter (Ron Smith) took him for a ride in it and shortly after they landed, Bill asked: "How good are these little Rotax engines?" The salesman stated that they are prettty good. Bill responded: "Are they very dependable?" The salesman replied: "Well, its not if it's gonna quit but when its gonna quit."

I like a Rotax, but they are not as reliable as the popular Continental engines.

I think the little gyrocopter has some form of Rotax engine, probably 2 cycle. (I admit I dont know much and I am sure not an A & P nor am I an AI who have seen the wrecked crafts and worked on them.)

Oh, wait... I heard about another gyrocopter crash. I dont know the guy, but I have a friend who knew this particular guy. The guy bought one in Birmingham, AL. On his way home, the little engine quit on him and like a whirly, those blades did help as the gyro crashed down into some trees. The guy was able to walk away from that with a broken bone or two and some scratches and such...

Later on, the guy was behind the wheel of a trailer truck in the middle of the night and fell asleep, crashing into some trees and was able to live through that, but is not productive in life.

Quote from: Solar on May 09, 2011, 06:29:05 AM
And so the Gyro sport attracts beginners on a budget looking for a thrill, in turn, raising the stats on fatalities among the craft.

I concur.

All I know is it is something I will do before my days are done.....

Quote from: U_Kay on May 09, 2011, 08:07:48 AM


I forgot about two other gyrocopter stories to tell you, Mac.

A friend named Bill J. decided he wanted to purchase a gyrocopter so he was taken right outside of Mobile Alabama to purchase one. The salesman of the gyrocopter (Ron Smith) took him for a ride in it and shortly after they landed, Bill asked: "How good are these little Rotax engines?" The salesman stated that they are prettty good. Bill responded: "Are they very dependable?" The salesman replied: "Well, its not if it's gonna quit but when its gonna quit."

I like a Rotax, but they are not as reliable as the popular Continental engines.

I think the little gyrocopter has some form of Rotax engine, probably 2 cycle. (I admit I dont know much and I am sure not an A & P nor am I an AI who have seen the wrecked crafts and worked on them.)

Oh, wait... I heard about another gyrocopter crash. I dont know the guy, but I have a friend who knew this particular guy. The guy bought one in Birmingham, AL. On his way home, the little engine quit on him and like a whirly, those blades did help as the gyro crashed down into some trees. The guy was able to walk away from that with a broken bone or two and some scratches and such...

Later on, the guy was behind the wheel of a trailer truck in the middle of the night and fell asleep, crashing into some trees and was able to live through that, but is not productive in life.

I could deduce to facts from this. ;)
1) Never buy an Alabama Gyro, and (2) trees cause accidents. ;D

power lines,,,,, not so much fun...

Quote from: Solar on May 09, 2011, 08:39:03 AM
I could deduce to facts from this. ;)
1) Never buy an Alabama Gyro, and (2) trees cause accidents. ;D

Exactly! ;D