Common Gyrocopter Pilot Mistakes!

Common Gyrocopter Pilot Mistakes that could result in a crash.
Knowing about these situations can make you more prepared to counter them to make sure you have a safe flight!
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[@presidentspilot]

You are a wonderful instructor!.... I have over 5,000 hours of military helo flying, yet I SO ENJOY your manner of Gyro instruction, Ron. Your emphasis on the flying "Caviots" will certainly save lives!!

[@jeroenjansen2709]

It is disconcerting to know what possible mistakes you can make. What does 'going wrong' exactly mean: falling out of the sky like a brick? You need airspeed to keep the fan turning but now if you 'overdo' it the whole thing can come crashing down. I must say you are the best instructor because you prepare the pilot for any eventuality which equals to hundreds of hours of experience

[@karenseale9372]

Watching and listening to you put me right back into the cockpit with you behind me. Like old times! Thank you.

[@GeeBee135]

Thanks for recording and posting, Ron. I have some power and glider background and am looking forward to learning how to fly gyros. Your "fly-along" demonstrations are educational!

[@slevine356]

Hi Ron. Thanks for the great video. Especially in a gyro, physical and mental preparation are key. Thanks also for the recommended reading. I have it drilled in, power, then pitch or un-pitch the rotor, as the case may be.

[@RonsGyros]

I appreciate your interest. Thanks Ron

[@christinetoevs6641]

GREAT to see you sharing your deep knowledge & experience on You Tube Ron!

[@RonsGyros]

Thanks Christine, My hope is that maybe by watching these videos it will help make better Gyrocopter pilots. Ron

[@electricaviationchannelvid7863]

@@RonsGyros Why not make 3-4 bladed gyros? Would it be safer with the different disc load/rpm/inertia/sink-gride rate?

[@michaelvadney5803]

I'm still loving your setup at the wonderful airport. Thanks for posting Ron!

[@harryharrison4876]

I have a few hours in aviation and honestly this gives me knots in my stomach to watch! 😮

[@kenanderson6568]

Excellent Ron. Keep saving lives!

[@michaellowe3665]

To think that all of this was learned the hard way by the people who invented and perfected these.

[@andersjohansson1889]

Very interesting to be in the driver's seat and hear your explanations.😀

[@slowpilot6817]

Hey Ron! Just found your videos! Well done my friend! Way to stay current and young! Thanks!

[@barnygogl]

Hi Very informative Are there simulators' for flight practice with these things?

[@Watchdog_McCoy_5.7x28]

Could you make a video or provide a link if you already have one, about the individual flight controls of the gyro? What each button, lever, stick, etc does, and how it affects the performance of the craft? I'm still trying to grasp how these things fly, as it still appears to be magic. Haha. Anyways, excellent video, and thanks for letting us fly with you.

[@can5projects563]

great video what moves when you trim your gyro?

[@inspirationandaviation938]

Thank you, Rons for this video.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*Great video...👍👍*

[@AK-ru3sg]

Thanks Ron. That was really informative. Think I'll dust off the old student pilot records for the tommy' and look into gyrocopter lessons.

[@peredavi]

Excellent video. I’m getting ready for a sport pilot gyroplane training. Currently airplane pilot.

[@vancebreeseCFI]

Thank you Ron, I always learn from you.

[@sarasandoval771]

Excellent lesson!

[@garyjmullensr.ph.d8815]

After viewing this clip I honestly believe you were speaking to me.

[@edgardorivera9534]

thanks RON

[@Edvanderbie]

love the vid. hope to be flying someday. love this kind of content.

[@Muotaman9958]

Thanks for your Videos. What i don’t understand, why the Communication through Radios is still so squeaky and hard to understand, especially from Airplanes to Airplanes and from the Towers. No wonder why so many Miss understanding happen!! And some People are way too fast speaking also…

[@ovalwingnut]

Thanks - I would have preferred to hear your valuable advice over a regular PC microphone instead of the sketchy flight equip. I only lasted 44 seconds (sadly, that's what my GF complains about)... But I appreciated your efforts! Cheers.

[@65LB]

That looks like a LOT of feedback in the cyclic. Seems like it would be tiring.

[@downundertruth3589]

I agree. Tiring and annoying.

[@kcindc5539]

If those rotor blades flexed as much as some of the comment contributors on here, they’d have tied themselves in a knot by now.

[@haroldsbeaver206]

Ron, I notice your thumb was very busy during the flight. Are you adjust trim with your thumb?

[@hotscarywjm]

I noticed a lot of vibration coming from the stick. Is that normally the case with gyrocopters? Thanks

[@markdoran3114]

Yes it is

[@cardioflow]

Wow! Very well done

[@RonsGyros]

Thank you very much!

[@jf1890]

Hey Ron - love your videos. I saw you press down on trim button a few times - I wish you would explain why.

[@roderickbowes2482]

Hi Ron -- first time viewer and loving your videos . Question - I see that your" Cyclic / control lever" shakes a significant amount - -?? Is this normal in a gyro ??

[@seikibrian8641]

It's normal in two-bladed rotorcraft, not just gyros. Robinson helicopters do it too, for example.

[@abtechgroup]

I'm always surprised by the amount of stick shake in these gyro videos - never had that much flying light helicopters. Precise rotor balancing just not routine?

[@RonsGyros]

Most of the rotors available are very well balanced however the rotor installation and proper. Adjustments will illuminate most of the shake.

[@XCFlyingBlog]

@@RonsGyros If you wanted to eliminate the stick shake on your gyro we see in this video how would you do it?

[@leneanderthalien]

@@XCFlyingBlog shake comes most from many causes: most are unequal weight from the blades or/and unequal angle of attack from the blades, but can be torsion from the blades or lack of rigidity (tortional oscillations)

[@Watson1]

This gyro has really bad stick shake, it can and should be trimmed properly and soon.

[@christinetoevs6641]

I have my "IMSAFE" pilot checklist beside the hangar door controller- last check ...before I go off to fly!

[@RonsGyros]

good idea, Ron

[@GeeBee135]

Yes! Ron's self-assessment discussion at the beginning of the video reminded me of that checklist.

[@ramjet4025]

Great video Ron. Look forward to seeing in the near future.

[@RonsGyros]

Thanks for your interest. Ill be making some videos explaining gyrocopter systems.

[@KB3M]

NO the string does not indicate wind direction unless you are on the ground, it indicates you are flying uncoordinated. Once any aircraft is in the air it quickly moves 100% with the wind much like a boat in a river.

[@RonsGyros]

The yaw string simply allows you to line the gyroplane parallel your direction of flight regarding the airflow in flight . This allows for the best performance. Your correct.

[@chrismaines1285]

What is the button on cyclic that he keeps pushing with his thumb?

[@RonsGyros]

That is the control for the trim system when in flight, or the brake system when on the ground!

[@apajohn2]

Speaking of preventative measures the attach point by your right knee looks like a injury waiting to happen 😅

[@grullord]

priceless ty

[@marklevenspiel9036]

Such a pity that the audio is so poor that the purpose of the video is lost in the effort to understand the audio.

[@RonsGyros]

Working on I proving the audio.

[@christopheruding2052]

I’m hard of hearing and had no problem following the audio.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

I would like to take issue with you regarding diagonal take off - landings! Could you please expand on what you mean by 'a lot of problems'? OF COURSE we gyro pilots need to be totally competent in cross wind take off - landings but why, if you have a wide runway (as we do!) would you make it more tricky for yourself dealing with cross winds when, by going diagonal, you can take a % of the cross wind component out of these manoeuvres? In UK we are taught, by CAA qualified instructors, to take the 'path of least resistance' and, as long as you keep current with cross wind training, which we do with our 2 yearly flight tests, what exactly IS the issue with going diagonal??

[@lorendjones]

I can't speak for Ron's reasoning but I can speculate that the diagonal takeoff and landing has you headed toward the taxi lights which could be a big issue. They seem to handle stiff crosswinds using proper crosswind techniques, so that's probably why it's his preferred methodology. I'm no expert....just getting into gyroplanes, but I have been a fixed-wing CFI for 42 years and hope to eventually teach in gyros.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

@@lorendjones Hi Loren, thanks for your comment, most justified from a 42yr Vet CFI.! I, too, an no 'expert', nor a QFI; I am only commenting from a perspective of a 60hr ppl(m) (Ikarus C42) and 220+hr ppl(g). I agree that gyros handle winds, and cross winds, better than any fixed wing aircraft but, if I may be so bold, you are exaggerating the 'taxi lights' issue a wee bit too much! I am sure that, with your years of experience, you will convert to gyros far quicker than I did then, what you will find, is how INCREDIBLY more maneouverable they are than a fixed wing. When you practice engine failures, which I do regularly, you will find yourself getting into fields that you wouldn't even dream of contemplating in a fixed wing. If the only field available to you is the one immediately below; in a fixed wing you begin to worry about how the heck you're even going to begin to accomplish this landing with all the vagaries of downwind, crosswind, side-slipping, airspeed, stalling etc., etc..... in a gyro you just think - let's have some fun with a hovering descent to begin with, then some tight S turns, and finally an almost zero roll landing!! WHY make a difficult cross wind landing when you can get the job done, AND have some fun, landing diagonally??!!!! Best wishes for your conversion and I hope you get to continue teaching in your new mode of aviation.!!NS.

[@wendelcrocker8968]

I guess it has to do with traffic patterns as any pilot ought to know. You do not fly non-standard patterns unless its on your own airstrip, and the only aircraft about.

[@keithjamieson2685]

As a gyro pilot with a considerable amount of experience literally thousands of landings and the ability to land a gyro within feet of where I want to I agree with everything in this video with the exception of diagonal landings. I was taught by the most experienced gyro instructor in the UK (who taught many of the instructors in the UK) where we have one of the most demanding training regimes in the world and some of the gustiest winds particularly the airfield I fly from. I was actively taught by him to handle cross wind landings up to the cross wind handling limits of the gyro but also how to land safely diagonally across the runway. Gyros (more so open cockpit ones) are great at handling high winds due to the high wing loading and the fact there is relatively little for the wind to get hold off, but they are light weight and their cross wind limits aren’t that good. Another big advantage of gyros is that they have virtually no forward roll (momentum) once they have touched down. If you look at the accident statistics of modern gyros the vast majority happen either near to or on the ground, they are easy to fly and very forgiving above 500 feet agl, in fact easier than a fixed wing providing you avoid negative g manoeuvres, power pushovers, PIO etc. A lot of the risk is in the takeoff and landing phases. I was taught treat wind as your friend as long as it’s coming into your face, so why would you risk a high wind crosswind landing when you don’t need to, negating many of the benefits of the gyro? Before anyone says anything about why fly in high winds and what about your weather planning, believe me the winds in our part of the world can pick up in a heartbeat and it is perfectly possible to fly standard circuit patterns and incorporate diagonal landings, gyros are incredibly agile.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

@@keithjamieson2685Well put, we probably had the same, Cumbrian, instructor?!!!!

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

This blade flap & THAT stall … Can’t they just make a magic carpet Already !

[@larsgriller3]

I notice you have a yellow string that indicates wind direction, when we "trained" in my aircraft, you removed it, why did you do that?

[@crosleyfiver8686]

Enjoyed he Video, that stick shakes too much for my liking. has to be a way to stabilize

[@harrw3168]

That stick shake is going to tire my wrist and arm.

[@darrenknowles1868]

God there must be some idiots about if you need to tell so called pilots to check if they have sufficient fuel

[@crawford323]

John Denver with 2500 hour including Airline Transport and owner of a Lear jet plus many others died because of fuel starvation and unfamiliarity with the fuel system of an airplane he recently purchased. So all can be guilty of complacency.

[@Mike-01234]

Great video don't take this as a negative wouldn't be safer to do a voice over type video not thinking about making a video during take off and landings?

[@lorendjones]

As a highly qualified instructor, I suspect he's very adept at talking and flying!

[@albertweis7669]

Dieting. Is. A. Real. Thing. Thanks

[@leneanderthalien]

your blades need balancing because you have heawy vibrations in the joystick...i did never take off with such vibrations...And a gyro doest have "cyclic": you modify only the complete rotor angle, not the blade angle in cyclic way like on a helicopter!

[@KeithFeickert]

You're thinking of "collective", a cyclic is just the stick my friend. The collective changes the angle of attack. The vibrations are from the asymmetrical lift of the blades.

[@gregvos8599]

Some comments from captain Ron I just do not agree with, ….

[@yuryzavolokin8405]

Medicine is powerless before the lack of intelligence and the ability to fly. Only an instructor can identify an idiot and an "infantryman". Why is your right hand shaking? You started your story with the medical commission. At what age does "shaking" begin and at what "stall" at your discretion? Landing must be carried out strictly along the axis of the runway, especially with a side wind blowing from right to left. Pls, Learn right. Thanks!

[@RonsGyros]

Its the cyclic induces by the rotor mass. Thanks

[@marc0martim]

Do you suffer from parkinson's disease?

[@rickl6697]

You didn't land. %¢€√

[@gyroplane]

the stick is shaking I could not fly my gyro with such a stick Autogyro are amateurs

[@peetclaasen99]

Sling aircraft

[@gyropilot7191]

Hi Ron Good video how about doing some aborted landings 😁

[@Watson1]

I’m dismayed by the stick shake you have. That’s one of the best ways to end up with metal fatigue. Be it hub bar, rotors or controls. Also why are you taxing with your rotors stationary. That’s also a good way to bring on metal fatigue. Taxing out to the runway and lining up, then you do your checks, rotors still not spinning. What do others do while you have blocked the runway. Surely you should have done your checks before you enter the runway. You wouldn’t get away with that in Europe. Strange, very strange.

[@kiwikeith7633]

DIY might also be a problem. I met a man who was hoping to become the Benson agent around here around 1960. He was very proud of his gyro. When I met him, he was proudly strutting around his gyro flicking imaginary specks of dust off its glossy paint. It was Easter 1963 that his pusher prop disintegrated at 1000' QFE above an airport display. Shards of the prop destroyed his main rotor. The collection of debris plummeted to the ground. I am told months later splinters of his bones were found embedded in the airport grass. Of course he was totally dead. So this speaks to constructing only using top quality suitable materials and methods.

[@chipadams7700]

First mistake is buying one.🤗.

[@joaquinandes]

Why?

[@lorendjones]

@@joaquinandes probably because after you've bought one you'll spend the rest of your dollars flying it constantly!

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

Death machines! Why bother with silly lots of moving parts rotor? Slow, non aerobatic, boring. Just WHAT is the fascination? Hm? RAF aerobatic pilot who built his own aerobat, here. I await the howls of rage. HM gave ME a permanent Commission in the highest paid branch of the British armed Forces, GD(P), for "displaying outstanding leadership"! One of 20 selected from 4,000 applicants. Adiabatic lapse rate? Reynolds numbers? 2024 Aluminum? Ever pulled 7G? I have. CAVU skies to you, and best wishes.

[@timwilde4200]

So basically, you just wanted to use this as forum to display your king-sized ego. I can't telly you how impressed you must be at all your accomplishments. Why did you even bother looking at this if you're so fixated on fixed-wing? And for your information, while gyros might not be able to outperform a fixed wing in terms of general aerobatics, in conventional terms they are far more maneuverable than any other aircraft of comparable weight and speed, and because of their high wing loading, can fly in conditions that would even ground commercial aircraft. Furthermore, I suggest you look up the name of Ken Wallis - you'll note that he was an RAF WING COMMANDER who held just about every world record in gyros and was a major proponent of them. He even managed to appear in a James Bond film with his puny gyro - what were your accomplishments again?

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

@@timwilde4200 I merely sought to show that I know what I am talking about.....also I scored 100% on my Canadian licence, the first to do so in the Maritimes; degree in 2 years; speak 5 languages; have O level in Latin verse. Judge, the pilot pilot killed at Farnborough in 1970 flying an autogyro. Wallis refusing to have ANYTHING to do with them further. I look at these videos to watch gyros crash..... the MORE moving parts, the more problems. Is basic engineering. WHY bother? Hm? Slow, stooging around thumb up backside.......fall out of a tail slide backwards deliberately; breathtaking...... 4 point hesitation roll IN the circuit at 800ft - VERVE and ELAN! .....only 2 things to worry about - exceeding the Vne, and keeping firm grip on stick in case going backwards and possible snapping off elevators. My a/c had push-pull tube controls with lots of rod end bearings to stop binding. +10G, -6G. Differential Frieze ailerons. Go ahead and bore ypurself and watch your mouth around me, sonny!

[@10spw33]

@@davidwheatcroft2797 I've heard there's a narcissist here you are an educated clown

[@elba9066]

@@davidwheatcroft2797 Mr Wallis was still flying them in 2010 because he was shown flying one in the UK TV show "Escape to the country" and commented favourably about them as well

[@davidwheatcroft2797]

@@elba9066 I am a pilot; was RAF. Autogyros limited when flying - no aerobatics; no IFR. Take off length not short. So why bother with all those moving parts? I have also built an aerobat with differential frieze ailerons (4).

[@OshoLee]

you can't stall, but if u are slow u will mush into the ground, so the result is the same. Lmao you destroyed gyros with that sentence, strip them off their main advantage over fixed wings