Gyrate New Zealand Limited

Yes, the well read amongst you will have noted the mixed 'metaphor in the title but all will become clear! In my search for all-things gyro I arranged to meet up with the makers of Europe's only tractor gyroplane. That is one with the engine pulling the aircraft rather than the more familiar pushing variety.The Phenix had been displayed at Aero Friedrichshafen in 2009 but little more was known. I tracked the aircraft down to Alicante in Southern Spain and arranged to meet up with the project director, Carlos Figuero, who had offered to take me flying. Spain was not only home to Don Quixote of windmill tilting fame but also Jaun de la Cierva, designer of the first Autogiro. In Madrid in 1923 the first successful rotary aircraft took to the sky with a tractor configuration. In Alicante in 2011 three Spanish engineers are building on that tradition convinced that this is the way of the future.
These three are not newcomers but a team of survivors who previously took the Futura gyroplane to market.
There is much emotion and sacrifice involved in going there again with a totally new machine. Since its first appearance the Phenix has been developed into the second prototype in which Carlos took me flying. My first impression was of a well finished all carbon fibre body with a Rotax 914 turbo neatly housed up front giving the appearance of a conventional LSA. The detail is interesting, tucked in the tail is a ballistic parachute which in theory will provide a safe descent in the case of catastrophic failure. Its more mundane and vital role is to provide ballast to achieve the desired c of g!

The rotor system and pre-rotator originated in South Africa and has some unique features including a hydraulic system utilising engine oil. Before take-off this quickly achieved 250rpm and despite a temperature of 33c and still air we were airborne in not much more than 100metres. The efficiency of the propeller in clean air may have been the reason but with an empty weight of 320kgs this performance is impressive.Once airborne we cruised around 130kph and I tried a few gentle manoeuvres well aware that this was a prototype with very little time in the air.
Stick shake was present and made the experience less impressive that the German production machines I had recently flown. On the plus side the visibility was good, maybe the best I have experienced in a side by side configuration. The aircraft is heavy on the nose and flair for landing is limited, these are features that we discussed and although there can be some change, mast position and c of g are limiting factors. One must remember that the aircraft is the result of three people who have dedicated much to achieve the prototype that we see today.
This machine is bound for South Africa and layup starts soon on the next airframe which already has a buyer. With each machine an individual, progress of the fleet will be slow but as experience and cash flow allow production can be increased to meet what I believe will be an increasing demand. Convention has a place. Let me finish by saying that the welcome received by myself and 'Big Jon' Erskine was just fabulous, Carlos and his friends did everything possible to make the two day trip worthwhile. With Tapas and cool beer interspersed with gyro activity we felt amongst friends, good ambassadors for the spirit of Cierva.