Gyroplane Taking off into a Storm

[@berniemccann8935]

The helmet mounted camera is the pits !

[@GyroSportFlying]

I have tried various cameras and positions. The movement is annoying because I'm like a nodding dog. I think most people just want an unobstructed front view. Thanks for the comments.kind regards 👍

[@PeterRowcliffe-e8p]

Very well flown in the heavy rain shows how stable the modern autogyros are,

[@GyroSportFlying]

They never cease to amaze me. I fly weekly and love the experience. I would use it as my main transport if we had the infrastructure. Thanks for the comments.😊

[@OshoLee]

the only problem is the ridiculous take off roll and no utility

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@OshoLee the take off roll can be shorter in modern aircraft. They can pre rotate to 320rpm which gets you off the ground after just a short run. But it all must be done correctly. As long as we have plenty of runway! I don't have an issue. I always check runway length before visiting and have a mini for one on board and a different length for when 2 on board. Thanks for the comments.👍

[@OshoLee]

@@GyroSportFlying yeah but its not sustainable, you will wear out and damage the prerotator

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@OshoLee well the pre rotator is just a starter motor at the end of the day. And I only shorten the take off when there is a need. I did fly aeroplanes before flying Gyroplanes and I really prefer the Gyroplane. I go to the airfield and fly rather than look at the sky. They are not a short take off machine.You are correct.👍

[@stuartstravels1640]

I remember some years ago, I was flying a microlight aircraft in North East Scotland!. I had taken off from a beach and was flying back to my home airfield when I was caught in very severe turbulence!. I quickly realised it was a serious situation, so serious in fact, it was definitely life threatening!. I was so scared that I wanted to put it down anywhere that I could get into!. But, the lower I got, the worse the turbulence got!. So, I decided to do a full power climb, and within a few minutes I was out of it and into smooth air!. But, I never ever forgot that experience!. I learned so much very quickly!. I learned how quickly a bad situation can very quickly turn life threatening, were the wrong decision can have tragic consequences!. I knew of two guys who were killed in the same aircraft in almost identical circumstances to mine!. It made me treat both my aircraft and the sky with the greatest respect!. As the saying goes!, There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots!. But, there are no old, bold pilots!.

[@jameslvantrojen3059]

for me it is very hard to watch when moving around.

[@MarkCronje-n4y]

awesome. beautiful country.

[@GyroSportFlying]

Thanks for the comment. Yes it is and I feel so lucky on a weekly basis. Gyroplanes fly when others don't because of their design. Wind is less of an issue and so is turbulence. So I fly over the UK's patchwork landscape most weeks.😁

[@beniceffs]

I think the title should be taking off with showers in the vicinity?!

[@GyroSportFlying]

The turbulence from the storm was more than the video shows. But it was a storm not just a shower. I'm trying to help other interested aviators learn. But thank you for your comments. They all help.

[@beniceffs]

@@GyroSportFlying Clever video. Looks like quite a nice flying day to me.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@beniceffs yes mate....as always the camera doesn't do it justice. It was much more turbulent than it looks but out to the east there was some nice weather but probably at least 10 miles away. There was a gap behind this storm cell.....The centre of which I kept well away from. The Gyroplane is a very capable machine and I am still surprised what weather I manage to fly in. I would not have flown a 3 axis in the same conditions. I always have to analyse my decisions and I am still not 100% clear about the boundary between experience and danger. ⚡ I find I enjoy the most challenging times? I love some circuits in less than perfect conditions. Each to their own. Thank you for commenting. Kind regards Paul T

[@CellCoachCom]

Interesting!

[@GyroSportFlying]

Thank you for your comment.👍🙏

[@Cowdog1]

Sorry, but helmet cams are horrible. Chest mounted or fixed position? I'm dizzy from just 5 minutes.

[@andron967]

From an old hang glider pilots perspective I'm seeing a lot of very difficult choices.

[@GyroSportFlying]

Yes. Even taking off in the first place. But I had checked the weather radar which showed a gap behind it. I had enough fuel to ponder around for a while. Luckily too a Gyroplane can land safely in a very short space. But should I have just remained on the ground? Or am I a better pilot for the experience? I think the latter. Thanks for the comments ✅ kind regards Paul T

[@andron967]

It is written (who knows where). If hail gets to be 1/4 inch in diameter under a cloud, lightning is imminent. Figure that even in light rain the air is falling at 3mph or more. I'm probably one of the few people to seriously ice up a hang glider. I've always wanted a gyro. I was around them for a long time and even helped build a couple.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@andron967 I too have flown in various types. And in many various weather types. I was once the passenger in an old Auster. The hail was so extreme that there was no paint left on the leading edges of both wings. Experience is the only way forward. But flying is not forgiving so we must find a balance. I see people all the time that won't go up in turbulence and then glider pilots who dive towards the thermals. We are all very different. Thank you for your interest and your information. I will keep posting videos even though not everyone likes them. We fly for fun.👍

[@andron967]

I can't imagine anyone not liking your videos. Thank you, they are very well done.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@andron967 Thank you mark👍

[@jumpingjacks5558]

Why didn't you take off after the storm had past?

[@GyroSportFlying]

Thanks for the comment. The old saying is" Better to be down here. Wishing you were up there .Than up there.Wishing you were down here!" And believe me I have had those situations. But on this occasion I was confident. I had checked the weather radar which showed a gap behind this approaching squall. Also had loaded extra fuel so that I could reach most other airfields as a divert option. That's the benefit of flying alone. This aircraft has a 94 litre tank and is achieving about 15 litres an hour. So flying alone I carry extra fuel. But I don't disagree with your thinking. Your way is the most sensible and safest option. You are a good Pilot. 👍

[@jumpingjacks5558]

Very nice. Here is a oldie but a goodie,. "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are no old bold pilots'. @@GyroSportFlying

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@jumpingjacks5558 so much truth in the old sayings. They should all be passed down through the generations. Thanks for the comments 👍

[@larrymangold1048]

How do you purge water that may have penetrated the rotor bearing and hub? I'm guessing just grease purge the hub, but the bearing seems difficult.

[@GyroSportFlying]

Great comments....I can tell you that WD40 stands for water dispersant for 40 days. Only works for a short time.regular greasing required.✅

[@davidhewson8605]

Tail flip then full flight and baby . Confused me ! . A bit of turbulence up there . What is the point of this flick ? . Ta . Dave

[@GyroSportFlying]

Just out of interest for some. Coming from a Microlight background I would have found this interesting. Thanks for the comments. Kind regards Paul T

[@mikew.inversegravitycraft]

What does the red horizontal line do the windscreen for?

[@GyroSportFlying]

From the pilots perspective he uses it to keep level with the horizon....and the vertical lines him up with the runway centre line.....it helps some early hours Pilots. Most of the pilots we train....learn on a tandem machine and then convert to a side by side. It just helps a little. 👍 Kind regards Paul T

[@cking2510]

Do you offer training or recommend a flight school

[@GyroSportFlying]

gyroplanetrain.com for training information.👍 Thanks for the comments.

[@RAFSQNLDR]

Have to ask the questions: why, why, why?

[@GyroSportFlying]

I had checked on the weather radar and knew I could come in behind it if I had to. Us Saturday pilot's are often desperate to get airborne. All experience. Thank you for your comments.

[@RAFSQNLDR]

Where do you fly out of? I have a M24 out of 87TX in Texas.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@RAFSQNLDR I'm in the UK at Shobdon Aerodrome Herefordshire. I fly various AutoGyro aircraft. I try and fly every Saturday. I'm training as an Instructor. I do fly in various conditions but I won't endanger myself or the aircraft. I follow the Gyropedia methodology and stick to the POH instructions. I have flown many types including flexwing microlights....both 2 and 3 axis microlights....light aircraft....and now Gyroplanes.....I have tried Helicopters a couple of times. I love my flying. Unfortunately since my flying began in the mid 90's I have had a good half a dozen emergency landings. Thank the lord...so far so good. I am pleased to meet you. Enjoy your Magni. A great aircraft 👍

[@chriscole4559]

Maybe file this one under "interesting" aeronautical decision-making.

[@GyroSportFlying]

Cheers...... I think it just makes you think a little. I do want my videos to be of more interest.....I will keep trying 😁

[@waynesimpson2040]

There is not an aircraft made that can outclimb a windshear! Downdraft associated with a storm have taken out many a good pilot/aircraft... This happened to a friend of mine. He was out flying his Quicksilver in the beginning of a storm trying to make it back to the when the winds almost took him out! He stayed on the ground until the storm passed doing his best to hold the plane from flipping from the winds. Its fair weather flying for me! I had the chance to learn from HIS unfortunate choice😊👍

[@GyroSportFlying]

There are old pilots and bold pilots.....but no old bold pilots......I had checked on the weather radar that there was a gap behind it. I had plenty of fuel to go elsewhere if required and I remained within the pilot operator handbook limits. Gyroplanes amaze me with what they can do. I use the aircraft limitations as my guide because I have not really decided where my own limits lie. Kind regards

[@alanmeachum5773]

Good gracious 😢

[@GyroSportFlying]

Great to rewatch it myself.......I can remember being cold and wet. Skirting around the weather and following it as it cleared the airfield. Then landing quickly before the next squalls came through. I hope you enjoyed the video.kind regards 👍

[@Vltor311]

I see Blancolirio in your future

[@mikehelton6259]

Strings wet🥴

[@tonyparamotor9487]

why even take off into a storm? how many hours flying gyrocopter have you? Is that why you decided to fly when a storm was approaching? and from weather reports directions etc.signs of a low hours pilot.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@tonyparamotor9487 I hire my aircraft from my instructor who is very knowledgeable and I trust his opinion. It wasn't a problem. I flew around it and could have diverted if need be. But you may be correct about my decision making. You can have your opinion my friend.👍

[@bryanbadger6841]

And with 10k plus hours logged mainly in a Hughes 500 C + D and fixed wing aircraft, down here in Nz, during the deer control days, I have to be honest mate. If your instructor was telling you, it was ok to fly in those conditions, then he should lose his instructor rating NOW. And you should have had enough brain cells working, to use common sense, and think to yourself, nope, not today.!! One mistake, my friend, and you could have ended up in a body bag. Check the forecast yourself, and you make the call, is my advice. Simple rule, "if in doubt, don't." A storm is a storm is a storm. Final advice, change your instructor. Your family want you back.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@bryanbadger6841 thanks for your concern. I have had many instructors over the years and all have taught me something. My latest instructor is a great guy and very meticulous and wouldn't allow me to do anything dangerous. I trust him 100%. I always fly within the aircraft envelope. The Gyropedia is a wonderful thing and I feel my training has reached a high standard. The Gyropedia teaches you to set a weather limit which increases with your experience until you find your comfortable limit. I really never found my limit and so operate with the aircraft Pilot operators Handbook limits as my own. I don't have your hours but I do stretch myself where experience is concerned. My feelings are that we may one day get caught out in bad weather and so try to experience a certain amount of increment weather. On that particular day there definitely was an escape route to the east. Also the weather radar showed me I could get around it. However YES ....to others my advice would be as yours is. If in doubt! Just don't do it. 👍. Kind regards

[@bryanbadger6841]

Btw, never try and defend your actions. It's not a good look for a low hour pilot. Remember what I advised, If in doubt Don't. And based on what you've written: I do still have serious questions about your instructor's ability. All the very best.

[@GyroSportFlying]

@@bryanbadger6841 I'm not defending my actions mate. Things already done can't be changed and we all must learn from each other. Having healthy discussions is a good thing. I have broad shoulders. I appreciate people taking the interest and the time to comment. I am in the belief that I should post good and bad stuff. I was advised against posting anything as I am working towards becoming an instructor. We all started somewhere. Kind regards Paul T