autogyro
Unpowered rotor flier
An autogyro is an aircraft that uses an unpowered rotor for lift and a conventional propeller for forward thrust.
Unlike a helicopter, the rotor spins freely from the airflow rather than being engine-driven—a principle called autorotation.
Autogyros were popular in the 1920s and 1930s before helicopters became practical.
Also spelled autogiro.
Rotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- gyrocopterRotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- autorotationSelf-sustaining rotor spin
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
- propellerRotating blades creating thrust
fuselage · cockpit · rudder · aileron · throttle · altimeter · airspeed · aviation
Self-sustaining rotor spin
- freewheelingActing without restraint
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- rotationTurning on an axis
- torqueRotational force measurement
blade · hub · mast · gyroscopic · teeter · flap · feather · collective
Departure or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- soarAscend to heights
altitude · elevation · airspeed · navigation · flightpath · airspace · turbulence · crosswind
Post-WWI American decade
- vintageQuality from past eras
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- experimentalTesting new methods
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
barnstormer · interwar · Pitcairn · airmail · antique · classic · restoration · collectible
gyroplane
Rotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- gyrocopterRotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- autorotationSelf-sustaining rotor spin
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
propeller · fuselage · cockpit · rudder · aileron · throttle · altimeter · airspeed · aviation · aerodynamics
autorotation
Self-sustaining rotor spin
- freewheelingActing without restraint
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- rotationTurning on an axis
torque · blade · hub · mast · gyroscopic · teeter · flap · feather · collective · cyclic
takeoff
Departure or parody
soar · altitude · elevation · airspeed · navigation · flightpath · airspace · turbulence · crosswind · approach
1920s
Post-WWI American decade
- vintageQuality from past eras
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- experimentalTesting new methods
prototype · barnstormer · interwar · Pitcairn · airmail · antique · classic · restoration · collectible · museum
- vehiclescar, bus, truck, van, bike
- aircraftairplane, airliner, airplanes, plane, biplane
- aircraft typesseaplane, Boeing 737, floatplane, fighter jets, bush plane
- Aviation HistoryWright Brothers, Wright Flyer, Wright brothers, Kitty Hawk, first flight
- Hovering Flighthelicopter, hummingbird, hover, hoverfly, dragonfly
- recreational flyinggliding, hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving, ballooning