Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21

Certain gyroplane maneuvers require you to know precisely
the speed of the rotor system. Performing a jump
takeoff in a gyroplane with collective control is one
example, as sufficient rotor energy must be available
for the successful outcome of the maneuver. When
variable collective and a rotor tachometer are used,
more efficient rotor operation may be accomplished by
using the lowest practical rotor r.p.m. [Figure 18-6]
Figure 18-6. A rotor tachometer can be very useful to determine
when rotor r.p.m. is sufficient for takeoff.
SLIP/SKID INDICATOR
A yaw string attached to the nose of the aircraft and a
conventional inclinometer are often used in gyroplanes
to assist in maintaining coordinated flight. [Figure 18-7]
AIRSPEED INDICATOR
Airspeed knowledge is essential and is most easily
obtained by an airspeed indicator that is designed for
accuracy at low airspeeds. Wind speed indicators
have been adapted to many gyroplanes. When no airspeed
indicator is used, as in some very basic
amateur-built machines, you must have a very acute
sense of “q” (impact air pressure against your body).
ALTIMETER
For the average pilot, it becomes increasingly difficult
to judge altitude accurately when more than several
hundred feet above the ground. A conventional altimeter
may be used to provide an altitude reference when
flying at higher altitudes where human perception
degrades.
IFR FLIGHT INSTRUMENTATION
Gyroplane flight into instrument meteorological conditions
requires adequate flight instrumentation and navigational
systems, just as in any aircraft. Very few
gyroplanes have been equipped for this type of operation.
The majority of gyroplanes do not meet the stability
requirements for single-pilot IFR flight. As larger and
more advanced gyroplanes are developed, issues of IFR
flight in these aircraft will have to be addressed.
GROUND HANDLING
The gyroplane is capable of ground taxiing in a manner
similar to that of an airplane. A steerable nose wheel,
which may be combined with independent main wheel
brakes, provides the most common method of control.
[Figure 18-8] The use of independent main wheel
brakes allows differential braking, or applying more
braking to one wheel than the other to achieve tight
radius turns. On some gyroplanes, the steerable nose
wheel is equipped with a foot-operated brake rather
than using main wheel brakes. One limitation of this
system is that the nose wheel normally supports only a
fraction of the weight of the gyroplane, which greatly
reduces braking effectiveness. Another drawback is the
Figure 18-7. A string simply tied near the nose of the gyroplane
that can be viewed from the cockpit is often used to
indicate rotation about the yaw axis. An inclinometer may
also be used.
Figure 18-8. Depending on design, main wheel brakes can be
operated either independently or collectively. They are considerably
more effective than nose wheel brakes.
18-4