Gyroplane, A fascinating plane that can become your Taxi.

The aviation industry is full of fascinating and interesting machines with unique designs, capabilities, and mechanisms. Among these Gyroplane or Autogyro holds a unique place as it bothers some features of fixed-wing planes and some features of helicopters and becomes a perfect blend for a low-speed aircraft with high fuel efficiency and better stability and control. using very interesting phenomena like auto rotation to spin its top rotor and produce lift. So in this blog, we will be discussing what is autogyro? how does an autogyro work? and the future of autogyro.

What is AutoGyro or Gyroplane?

A gyroplane or autogyro (from the Greek word meaning ('self turning'), is a heavier-than-air aircraft that uses a rotor usually to the rare of the fuselage called pusher configuration to produce thrust. Autogyro uses an engine to power its rare rotor, which creates the forward motion of the airplane by pushing the air backward. To produce lift it uses another rotor, which, unlike a helicopter is not powered by the engine, but rather rotates using aerodynamic forces and thus produces lift. This phenomenon of using aerodynamic forces to rotate is called autorotation

Features of helicopter and fixed wind plane adapted by autogyro

Fixed-wing plane features: like the fixed-wing plane autogyro has wings that produce lift as the airplane moves forward. Also thrust production is similar to that of fixed-wing planes that is through engines.

Helicopter features: like a helicopter autogyro has a top rotor that produces lift by rotation. But unlike the helicopter, the rotor is not powered by an engine but rather uses an autorotation technique to produce lift.

Advantages of Autogyro over the helicopter and fixed-wing plane.

Over fixed-wing plane: Requires shorter landing and takeoff spaces. Also, autogyros can fly at lower speeds without stalling which makes them safer on takeoff and landing compared to fixed-wing planes. In case of engine failure, the autogyro's rotor continues to rotate due to autorotation, allowing for better control during descent and safer landing compared to fixed-wing plane aircraft that would stall.

Over helicopters: Autogyro has a simpler design than helicopters which results in easy maintenance and lower cost. The autogyro uses auto rotation techniques rather than using engine power to produce lift which makes it more fuel efficient than helicopters. Helicopters do require a skilled pilot to conduct flight but Autogyro requires fewer pilot skills than a helicopter pilot.

Aerodynamic forces acting on autogyro

The main aerodynamic forces acting on autogyro:

Lift: The primary force that counteracts gravity and keeps the gyroplane airborne is lift. It is generated by the autogyro's rotor blades, which are airfoil-shaped, similar to airplane wings. As the rotor spins air moves faster over the curved upper surface of the blade, compared to flatter underside. This pressure differential creates lift, allowing the autogyro to overcome its weight.

Drag: This force opposes the autogyro's forward motion. It's caused by the air resistance acting on the autogyro's body, rotor blades, and tail. Drag is minimized through the careful aerodynamic design of the gyroplane components

Thrust: Unlike helicopters, autogyros don't have a main engine powering their rotor. However, some autogyros might have a small axillary engine mounted at the back to provide additional forward thrust during takeoff, climb, or maneuvering.

Weight: This is the downward force exerted by gravity on autogyro and everything it carries.

Centrifugal force: This is the outward force acting on the rotating rotor blades, trying to fling them away from the center of rotation. It's balanced by the inward bending moment of the rotor mast and the tension in the rotor blades.

The pilot controls the auto virus pitch roll and yaw by tilting the rotor and using a rudder on the tail section.

Aerodynamic forces acting on autogyro wing.

Future of autogyro

There are some high potential possibilities of how autogyro may play a role in the lives of future humans, based on those possibilities we are going to predict some utility of autogyro in the future.

Urban Air Mobility: With growing traffic congestion in cities, there's a rising interest in urban air mobility (UAM) solutions. Autogyros with their ability to take off and land in short distances, (compared to airplanes) could be viable options for personal air taxis or even cargo delivery within cities.

Surveillance and Rescue operations: The future of autogyros in surveillance and rescue is promising. Their low operating cost, maneuverability at low speeds, and ability to land in tight spaces make them ideal for tasks like monitoring remote areas or reaching stranded people. Advancement in electric motors and lighter materials could further enhance their capabilities. However, limited payload capacity and weather dependency compared to helicopters might restrict their widespread adaption.estrict their widespread adaption.