autogyros
Unpowered rotor craft
Autogyros are aircraft that use an unpowered rotor for lift and a conventional propeller for forward thrust.
Unlike helicopters, whose rotors are engine-driven, the autogyro's rotor spins freely, turned by air flowing upward as the craft moves forward.
This design allows for very short takeoffs and slow flight without stalling.
Autogyros were popular in the 1920s and 1930s before helicopters became practical, and they remain in use today for recreation and sport flying.
Departure or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
lift · hover · autorotation · freewheel · air resistance · descent · cruising · maneuverability
Self-sustaining rotor spin
Rotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
- propellerRotating blades creating thrust
blades · tail · rudder · aileron · elevator · flaps · wing · hangar
Post-WWI American decade
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- inventionNew device or method
- experimentalTesting new methods
- early aviationFirst decades of flight
precursor · development · Pitcairn · mail delivery · interwar · patent · prototype · evolution
Minimal recreational aircraft
- homebuiltConstructed by owner
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
- fly-inAviation-accessed gathering
airshow · aerial photography · sightseeing · training · flight school · affordable · open cockpit
takeoff
Departure or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
airspeed · lift · hover · autorotation · freewheel · air resistance · descent · cruising · maneuverability · stability
autorotation
Self-sustaining rotor spin
gyroplane
Rotorcraft with unpowered rotor
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
propeller · blades · tail · rudder · aileron · elevator · flaps · wing · hangar · ultralight
1920s
Post-WWI American decade
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- inventionNew device or method
- experimentalTesting new methods
early aviation · precursor · development · Pitcairn · mail delivery · interwar · patent · prototype · evolution
ultralight
Minimal recreational aircraft
- homebuiltConstructed by owner
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
fly-in · airshow · aerial photography · sightseeing · training · flight school · affordable · open cockpit
- helicoptershelicopters, helicopter ride, chopper, copter, helo
- aircraftairplane, airliner, airplanes, plane, biplane