 |
| Role | Autogyro |
|---|---|
| National origin | UK |
| Number built | 6? |
ARC Aerosystems [1] is a British consortium that intends to produce modern CAA-certified VTOL autogyros [2] for commercial use. They have a prototype under test, the Pegasus VTOL-Tech, [3] which is to go into production, with delivery expected in 2026. ARC have plans for two other larger gyroplanes, the Linx P3 3-seater, and the Linx P9, a large winged gyroplane.
In 2023, ARC Aerosystems acquired the intellectual property, all rights and type certification of the Avian Gyroplane (also called the "Pegasus"), including the last remaining flying example. [4] (The Avian Pegasus obtained full American FAA certification some decades ago).
ARC Aerosystems have since designed and produced the Pegasus VTOL Tec, a modern a two-seat, single-engine autogyro, closely modelled on the Avian Gyroplane, but with VTOL capacity. Prototypes have been built and on 13th November 2023, ARC Aerosystems announced the start of test flights of the Pegasus VTOL at its facilities in Cranfield (to gain CAA certification). Chris Taylor has been designated the ARC test pilot. [5] In 2024, ARC announced that they had an order for five Pegasus VTOL aircraft, to be delivered in 2026. [6] [7]
ARC have published online plans for three aircraft designs using Pegasus technology. Of these three, only the Pegasus has had prototypes that are flying and approved for production:
Normally, an autotogyro requires a runway, even though the take-off run is typically shorter than for a fixed-winged aeroplane. Unlike helicopters (whose main rotor is engine-powered), autotogyros do not have the ability to hover; but ARC claims that their autotogyros will have full VTOL capability, and may operate from heliports. ARC explains how VTOL is achieved, as follows:
Closely based on the Avian Autogyro, the Pegasus is a tandem-layout two-seat autogyro with a ducted-fan pusher propeller. It has a three-bladed rotor. The Pegasus is powered by a Lycoming 360 aero-engine, giving a 150kph cruise speed and a 160kph VNE. Given its seating capability, the Pegasus may be targeted as a trainer or for private general aviation.
Linx P3 (planned) - a 3-seater version of the Pegasus VTOL. A bigger and wider version of the Pegasus, the P3 is more suited to commercial work with a pilot and two passengers. (For instance, rather than use a much more expensive helicopter for medical air rescue, the P3 would be able to depart more quickly than a helicopter. It could carry two medical personnel to give first aid while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance).
Linx P9 (planned) - a fast 11-seater large twin-engined gyroplane with fixed wings and retractable undercarriage. Intended for executive or commercial use, two pilots command the cockpit. The P9's versatile payload space could accommodate:
ARC reckons the P9 will be 40% cheaper to run, with 30% more range, than equivalent size helicopters. They also claim that when used as executive air transport, there will be significant time savings [10] compared to equivalent helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. [11]
A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is one that can take off and land vertically without relying on a runway. This classification can include a variety of types of aircraft including helicopters as well as thrust-vectoring fixed-wing aircraft and other hybrid aircraft with powered rotors such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and gyrodynes.
An autogyro, or gyroplane, is a class of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. While similar to a helicopter rotor in appearance, the autogyro's unpowered rotor disc must have air flowing upward across it to make it rotate.
A gyrodyne is a type of VTOL aircraft with a helicopter rotor-like system that is driven by its engine for takeoff and landing only, and includes one or more conventional propeller or jet engines to provide forward thrust during cruising flight. During forward flight the rotor is unpowered and free-spinning, like an autogyro, and lift is provided by a combination of the rotor and conventional wings. The gyrodyne is one of a number of similar concepts which attempt to combine helicopter-like low-speed performance with conventional fixed-wing high-speeds, including tiltrotors and tiltwings.
A rotorcraft or rotary-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air aircraft with rotary wings or rotor blades, which generate lift by rotating around a vertical mast. Several rotor blades mounted on a single mast are referred to as a rotor. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines a rotorcraft as "supported in flight by the reactions of the air on one or more rotors".
The Rotax 914 is a turbo-charged, four-stroke, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed aircraft engine with air-cooled cylinders and water-cooled cylinder heads. It is designed and built by the Austrian company BRP-Powertrain, owned by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), as part of its Rotax brand.
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The Avian 2/180 Gyroplane was a two-seat, single-engine autogyro built in Canada in the 1960s. Several prototypes were built but production was not achieved.
The Hafner A.R.III Gyroplane was a British 1930s experimental autogyro designed by Austrian Raoul Hafner, and built by the A.R.III Construction Company at Denham, Buckinghamshire.
The RotorSport Calidus is a German tandem two-seater autogyro modified in the UK to meet British Civil Airworthiness Requirements CAP643 Section T. The Calidus is an enclosed-cockpit development of the open-cockpit RotorSport UK MT-03. New-build AutoGyro Calidus aircraft are imported from the manufacturers, AutoGyro GmbH in Hildeshem, Germany and completed to British regulations by RotorSport UK Ltd.
The AutoGyro Calidus is a German autogyro, designed and produced by AutoGyro GmbH of Hildesheim. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
Skyworks Aeronautics Corp., formerly Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc., Groen Aeronautics Corporation and Skyworks Global, is an American autogyro research and development company based in Chicago. The company was founded in 1986 by David Groen and his late brother Jay Groen in Salt Lake City, Utah. David Groen remains as Senior Advisor.
The Autogyro Cavalon is a German autogyro, designed and produced by AutoGyro GmbH of Hildesheim. It was introduced at the 2011 Aero show in Friedrichshafen. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The AutoGyro MT-03 is a German autogyro, designed and produced by AutoGyro GmbH of Hildesheim. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
AutoGyro GmbH is a German aircraft manufacturer based in Hildesheim. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of autogyros in the form of fully assembled, ready to fly aircraft.
The Niki Lightning is a fully enclosed two-seater tricycle autogyro of composite construction, designed and built by Niki Rotor Aviation in Bulgaria. It was introduced in 2009
The AutoGyro eCavalon is a German single-seater electric powered autogyro introduced in 2013. The prototype is under development by AutoGyro GmbH of Hildesheim.
The Russian Gyroplanes Gyros-2 Smartflier is a Russian autogyro designed and produced by Russian Gyroplanes of Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
Russian Gyroplanes is a Russian aircraft manufacturer based in Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of autogyros in the form of ready-to-fly aircraft, as well as and hovercraft. The company was founded in 2007.
