AutoGyro Cavalon Flying Mountain Playground in Arizona

[@majorwedgie8166]

I hate to whine but you had me until the music started.

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks! Good thing they invented volume control.

[@StepAttitude]

Nice video. I used to do that kind of flying around the El Mirage dry lake. One thing I always keep in mind though, is the phrase " Don't fly over anything you wouldn't want to land on"

[@kentwilliams3326]

Thanks very much for taking us along with you. Great video editing!

[@larsthorwald3338]

That's extremely cool! Nice avionics setup. Congrats.

[@chrisscharfenberger6007]

I've had my private pilots license for 24 years. These AutoGyro's look incredible!! I may just need one... Fantastic vido also. Thanks for sharing!!

[@seikibrian8641]

Be sure to get good transition training; there are some "ingrained" actions for fixed-wing aircraft that can kill you in a gyroplane.

[@nickse1782]

@@seikibrian8641 I'm assuming sharp nose-overs/shoving the stick forward that could unload the rotor? I'm a new PPL and have been eyeing an autogyro now... they are so cool

[@Rakkasan-vr8xt]

@@nickse1782if I may, yes, you are correct. Gyros, especially light single place gyros are affected much more by thermals than some of the heavier gyros (RAF2000/Cavalon/MTO ect). Speed is life, altitude is life insurance.

[@duanevanderschoor7771]

Thanks for the video. I grew up in Arizona and you took me to sights I have never been.

[@eytansuchard8640]

That is indeed a great experience. Thank you for this video.

[@martiansonmaui1749]

Beautiful video! Brings back fond memories of working in Arizona, a few years back. Always wanted to fly into Sedona just for kicks. The geology in that part of the country is stunning! Cheers!

[@MalMilligan]

Nicely done... thanks for the tour. Have not been to that part of the world in 30 years and this is the first time I saw it from a Gyro perspective !!

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed.

[@pwkulp]

I really enjoyed the video. You have everything just right. Great view, great music and perfect voice over. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@WhiskeyB]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks!

[@DavidMauricioEsquivelDuclox]

Simplemente hermoso vuelo del autogiro

[@youcamp132]

Enjoyed the ride! Thanks for sharing your videos!

[@DanStratocaster1]

Fabulous. I’d love to do this in retirement. I’m still hoping. Arizona bound hopefully this year.

[@WhiskeyB]

Look me up when you do. I love to share the experience of gyro flight.

[@ikay2102]

Nice job on Everything , especially how well you held your centerline. Hope to fly my gyro in Arizona one day.

[@tdan819]

That was so cool. Felt like we were flying together, lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@WhiskeyB]

If you're real aggressive you take off in 400' but in casual situation about 800'. Very short landing capability. Thanks!

[@sulemanjaved1882]

Breath taking views

[@davee4990]

Beautiful! I wish I could experience a flight in this gyrocopter

[@jasonrwilkinson9216]

Thanks Walt, amazing scenery around you more like the surface of the moon than Earth, really stunning. A little tip for you I always pre-rotate to at least 220rrpm in my Sport 2017 as this prevents the rrpm dropping below 200rpm when I release the pre-rotator and pull the stick back. Apart from that your technique is the same as mine (and as promoted by Phil Harwood) of progressively adding power as rotor RPM builds as rrpm is more important than airspeed prior to wheel balance/ground effect. We're on lockdown here in the UK so missing flying so great to see your content. Thanks again and keep safe!

[@WhiskeyB]

I'll take it up to 220 next time up. Thanks for the tip. Hope you can get in the air soon.

[@jasonrwilkinson9216]

@@WhiskeyB Thanks Walt, I'm hoping to put some content out when I can get back flying.

[@allwortht]

Jason. You mean to say you can’t fly when you’re in lockdown? Hmm don’t think...well I guess we weren’t on lockdown, local cessna’s were flying daily here. I would love love to get me one of these gyros. I’m not a pilot but I’ll be soon hopefully. And then I want to take the courses to be a instructor, and become a dealer with a flight school Maybe sounds like I have my plate full? My dream has always been to be in the pilot seat 😊👊🏻

[@paulstein2480]

Nice!

[@tayinternational]

Thanks for the flight

[@islandmonusvi]

Awesome…

[@goldsharkmark7808]

Thanks for the ride. You remind me of James Bond. He would have one like this. Of course that makes Cindy, Money Penny. 😇

[@catmanflorida8545]

awesome !!!!!!

[@loughkb]

I find these Cavalon's fascinating. Were I younger and better off, I'd probably be flying one! I haven't found out yet, what their fuel consumption is like compared to a fixed wind aircraft like a Bonzai or similar. Do they do better? Similar, or worse?

[@WhiskeyB]

70 knots @ 4.5 gph and 85 knots @ 6 gph

[@loughkb]

@@WhiskeyB Thanks. So that is better than a fixed wing. Neat.

[@Korsier-AU]

Man I would love to be doing that.

[@dh-flies]

I know those things land short but, they sure seem to take off long...I do like the slow flying though. Nice camera work.

[@WhiskeyB]

If you're real aggressive you can take off in 400' but for casual situation about 800'. Landings as short as 50' from round out. Thanks!

[@dh-flies]

@@WhiskeyB Thanks for the info. I have an LSA but am looking at these as well. Hoping for more of a STOL type craft that I can trailer. The other thing that they don't seem to address on their website is the Rate of Climb. If you're doing a short field take off, how quickly can you get to altitude? In mountainous terrain you need to climb...

[@chaoticdad]

Did I see an autopilot? I didn’t know one could be used. This makes things interesting for cross-countries!

[@genetidwell3744]

I enjoyed the ride, let's do it again.

[@christinetoevs6641]

Great gyro-porn! Hope you have had a solid grounding in "mountain flying" ... the day looks very serene wind-wise ... but be VERY aware of canyon -flying hazards and the updrafts & downdrafts , thermals and as summer comes on ...DA!!!! Great video ... but go easy on chasing the scenic shots ...as a low-time pilot!

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks for the wise words. Stay safe!

[@jaxrican1]

I was thinking the EXACT same thing. But we have to learn to deal with everything you mentioned some time or another, might as well do it in fair weather and take it as practice.

[@carstencch-cavalon5881]

a good video and interesting landscape. i would be curious about your autopilot. can you make a video about the effects of the autopilot? autogyro-cavalon greetings from germany :-)!

[@WhiskeyB]

I'll work on it. Thanks.

[@kevinmorrison1553]

Very nice! This and the Orion M24 are nice Gyros. Why this over the M24? M24 seems to have a less obstructed view, but I’m unsure if autopilot is available.

[@WhiskeyB]

Both are very nice Gyros. I'm partial to AutoGyro only because I'm familiar with their customer service and their popularity. I dont use the autopilot much. Thanks!

[@jrbirdman5917]

Great video! If you had to make an emergency landing I’m sure you could, but getting the aircraft out of that terrain would be an expensive task.

[@WhiskeyB]

Most likely, but I weighed the risk to the gain and accepted the ratio. I don't know if I could live with my regretful self if I didn't. 👍

[@jrbirdman5917]

@@WhiskeyB I’m a former NG pilot and retired DHS pilot. Helicopters have been my life for 30 years, but I’m starting to warm up to gyros. Once I’m done putting my kids through college I might jump in to a gyro. Great vid. Cheers and safe flying!

[@WhiskeyB]

@@jrbirdman5917 Come on down to AZ and we'll get some air for a first hand experience.

[@RAFSQNLDR]

As another flier (Magni M24) I enjoy your videos, I keep asking myself though as I watch ‘where is my emergency landing spot here?’ My gyro CFI has experienced 5 Rotax failures whilst flying and I always remember that as I fly and always look for emergency landing areas. Sometimes on a Xcountry you have no choice as to the terrain to fly over but I try to fly near roads whenever possible. N819JF

[@WhiskeyB]

Not to many LZs around there for sure. A risk I was willing to take, not for the video but for the experience of it all. My buddy flies over Zion National Park all the time and makes breath taking videos and I would not hesitate for a second to experience flying over the wonderous landcape all the while knowing if I have an engine out, it could be costly.

[@justinensz621]

Wow looks amazing. Just drove by the hot springs the other day. Wonder how hard it would be to get a flight with you?

[@chrisiriarte5884]

In a gyro, can you get some of the pre-rotation done while you're waiting to take the runway? Seems like there are situations where you can't sit on the runway for a couple of minutes while you start the pre-rotation ... the tower needs you to expedite your takeoff.

[@WhiskeyB]

Possibly, but if I'm at a new airport, I'll tell the tower I need a minute or two to wind up so they can accommodate me by extending a downwind traffic but my airport knows me by now. Instructors will tell you to wait until you line up as the blades can get real funky at low rpms.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

I am looking into training for another business. If I can get it up and launched I want to buy a Sea Rey but been watching these gyro videos , found one by accident two weeks ago and this looks bad ass what a great video. I could see why you would get hooked. What is the range of this aircraft on cruise?

[@WhiskeyB]

A little over 400 miles comfortably! One ride will convince you.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

@@WhiskeyB What about fat ass's? I am trying to drop weight probably 285 I am 6.2 dont want to launch a rod trying to get off the ground . Do you have to be a 95 lb jockey to get inside?

[@WhiskeyB]

@@madmanmechanic8847 I'm 235 and regularly take up passengers slightly more than me. It can haul ass.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

@@WhiskeyB Wow that is amazing ! Did you build your Gyro? How long were the flight lessons ? How long did it take you to get it down so you could go solo. How hard is it to figure navigation that is scary to me . Is there any place for gear ? I understand its very small . I assume you can get a kit and build your own? What does a basic kit run? Thanks for the reply

[@MikeJones-ro5nl]

Great videos! Would you consider in your videos occasionally announcing your flight parameters - ground speed, altitude, vertical speed, etc?

[@WhiskeyB]

Sure. Will try it next time. Thanks!

[@jerrymiller276]

@@WhiskeyB Yeah, I'd especially like to know the density altitude.

[@michaellewenczuk2977]

Inspiring video. What airport do you fly from? I am very interested in auto gyros and would love to see one up close. Thanx.

[@WhiskeyB]

Glendale, AZ

[@jonathanantoun1367]

Great views and great looking gyro, I hope one day I will be able to afford one of these flying machines. How often do you fly it? Thanks and stay safe

[@quantaloop4002]

what was the flight alt over those peaks? regarding the telemetry search in google, there are telemetry overlay software that put the data right into your video

[@tln8424]

Excellent vid. Where do you base your gyro?

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks! Glendale, Arizona.

[@berylrosenberg704]

Excellent and picturesque flight! What altitude were you flying at?

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks! I flew over Castle hotsprings @ 3500' ✌

[@MrLoadedweapon]

curious, is there AC in the Gyro ? or not needed ? what's the max altitude and distance you can travel ? I lived in Phx for 15yrs.. now on the East coast in MD - Eastern Shore , Near the Chesapeake Bay and would love to learn to fly a Gyro . Very cool video

[@WhiskeyB]

A/C is an available option. In AZ it would be nice sometimes 🔥. 25 gal fuel tank @ 5 to 6 gph give you quite the range. I've taken it cross country 350 miles with fuel to spare. Find a way to fly Gyro, I can attest it's worth the effort!

[@airnavig8er]

Nice video. Can your gyrocopter be configured for IFR?

[@WhiskeyB]

Yes. As far as I know there is nothing prohibiting a gyroplane from IFR providing all lighting and instrumentation is up to snuff.

[@airnavig8er]

@@WhiskeyB you're right. Gyro IFR would be awesome! Thanks, cheers!

[@miojogames1887]

Nice video, but why girocopters have stick shake?

[@WhiskeyB]

The 2 rotorblades are at different angles of attack from each other as one is going forward as the other is retreating.

[@dalewilson8476]

Question..what is your average ground speed.

[@WhiskeyB]

I can easily cruise through the air at 95mph however ground speed is dependant upon if you have a tail wind or a head wind.

[@phantomcruizer]

How does it handle in turbulence? Is it similar to a Cessna?

[@WhiskeyB]

The rotorblades are essentially the wing. Very small in relation to a Cessna's fixed wing. Very little effect from turbulence. 👍

[@DerVerweigerer]

Hey, nice Video. How the Autopilot works with the gyro?

[@WhiskeyB]

It is operated by the on board pneumatic trim system. I haven't exercised all of its capabilities yet. Just a simple button press activates.

[@danielrrainey1]

What is a az cooling package?

[@WhiskeyB]

This Cavalon was built with a larger radiator and oil cooler and has custom tinting on window in anticipation of flying in Arizona's warmer weather. 😎

[@kukolarik1]

It's a 915 or 914? Can you tell me, what you have on front glass? It's like on car?

[@WhiskeyB]

Tibor Dualsky This is equipped with the 914. The tint on the windshield is an automotive type tint. Thanks for watching.

[@nashdp]

What are the FAR's for gyros?

[@WhiskeyB]

They under rotorcraft.

[@MrPanchoak]

Pretty, to be sure. But I don't think I'd be doing that on a piston engine.

[@WhiskeyB]

What do you propose, turbine? 😅 You know this is a gyroplane, right?

[@MrPanchoak]

@@WhiskeyB yes, without a turbine I wouldn't be doing that. I've lost my engine several times, and that terrain looks pretty uninviting to say the least. But it is definitely pretty.

[@davidmargrave3324]

What do you pay for insurance and hangar? I’m pricing out the idea of owning one. Oh and hangar space dimensions.

[@WhiskeyB]

The rotorblade length is 28' so a relatively small hangar will suffice. Insurance is expensive and if you have to finance it almost always mandatory. Good luck!

[@Aviator168]

Like to see a Sedona flight.

[@WhiskeyB]

Me too!

[@Pongsak8989]

What fuel does it use?

[@WhiskeyB]

หลวง พงษ์ศักดิ์ The Rotax 914 engine can burn either 100LL aviation fuel or 91 octane gasoline. I use gasoline. Thanks.

[@darrenwilson3732]

Where did you land at? Glendale Municipal Airport? Thanks!

[@WhiskeyB]

Yes, Glendale Municipal: KGEU

[@robh8890]

Nice video Walt! I have seen reference to autopilot, is this something you fitted yourself?

[@WhiskeyB]

Thanks. The autopilot was installed by the by the AutoGyro dealer the original owner bought from. Pretty slick!

[@robh8890]

Whiskey Bravo Aviation, I would be interested in any technical details on the autopilot. One of the other comments suggested good to do video on the autopilot. That would be excellent if you could.

[@SKYGUY1]

Seeing all that "RED" on the Garmin Terrain warning was interesting while you wound around in and out of the canyons. Thanks for sharing the ride. I noticed a little greater vibration than seemed "usual". Could your rotor blades be out of track a little maybe? We had an AutoGyro MTO drop in to KOLS (Nogales AZ), where I am an instructor, for a visit a couple of months ago and it was a beautiful aircraft. I've loved Gyroplanes ever since I rode with Steve Graves at a Gyro fly-in in Mtn. City TN. Here's a link to the MTO video... Enjoy it too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imfSqZWwjL-eo7s

[@WhiskeyB]

I do believe the rotor head could be better balanced. Working on it. Thanks.

[@wunderwoman6577]

Maybe I'll get me one

[@patricksmith3710]

What cameras are you using? Nice video.

[@WhiskeyB]

Patrick Smith Thanks. I'm using a GoPro Hero 7 Black shot in 4K mounted with a Ram Mount.

[@graemej2599]

Gee If your engine stops anywhere in those valleys and mountains, then you are in trouble, especially at low altitude.

[@WhiskeyB]

The rotor blades are not powered and are in constant autogyration. An engine failure just means you lose forward motion anf the aircraft would float the ground.

[@graemej2599]

@@WhiskeyB- Yes but very little flat ground, and you would have some forward motion so might need a bit of flat ground in front of you. Of course if you break a rotor blade - well that is another story.

[@dsdy1205]

@@graemej2599 you can autorotate to a zero-length landing in a gyro

[@graemej2599]

@@dsdy1205 - I love the autogyro as a sport plane, but it is a shame, with a spinning prop above it is probably unsuitable to install a ballistic parachute.

[@Franklin-pc3xd]

I don't care how much you pay for a gyrocopter, you'll never overcome the vibration issue. It just is what it is. My experience has been, sure, it's a barrel of fun to fly the first couple of flights but after a while, if you start flying it for routine non-adventure type missions, like getting from A to B, that vibration gets old real fast. There are probably better alternatives available for comparable performance, fun factor and range of missions.

[@WhiskeyB]

You're right. So many alternatives for getting from A to B. It's what you can do along the way and once you get there that makes the gyro great. No other craft like it. Thanks!

[@myname604]

Would have been an enjoyable video if not for the music.

[@WhiskeyB]

That's why the crazy engineers incorporated a volume control on your device. 😜

[@myname604]

@@WhiskeyB I didn't engineer volume so that everybody could add noise into everything.

[@WhiskeyB]

@@myname604 How about I let you watch it no charge then.

[@myname604]

@@WhiskeyB How about I watch it no charge anyway. In reality it isn't much different than watching family films or going through family photo albums at aunt Hilda's. I enjoy the scenery but the natural sounds are better than musicals.

[@GregRutkowski]

Wasted too much time, could you have stated spin up sooner?

[@WhiskeyB]

Perhaps, but then sometimes you feel like recording as it is so it will become as it was.

[@WhiskeyB]

The tower told me to “line up and wait”. Didn’t want to sit there with a live rotor for an undetermined amount of time.

[@royalfolkspark]

Great video, but (sickening music).

[@fredschwarz9502]

What's the non-club, non-block time, wet rate on that aircraft?

[@WhiskeyB]

Pennies compared to sheer joy of flying it. 😀

[@ImotorhomeAu]

What's the density altitude at the field?

[@WhiskeyB]

Elevation is 1100' with density altitude typically 1800' in the cooler months and 3500' in the summer.