Books
(Note: Book cover images are covered under the fair-use clause of copyright law.)
The Gyroplane Flight Manual
by Paul Bergen Abbott
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For gyrocopters and sport gyroplanes. This is the most widely-read book in the world on light gyroplanes and gyrocopters. It tells what gyros are like, how they fly, how to learn to fly one. Describes the flight characteristics, discusses frankly the risks and safety of these aircraft. It’s interesting, easy reading for both the beginner and the veteran gyroplane pilot. Over 100 pages, many photos.
Understanding the Gyroplane
by Paul Bergen Abbott
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Technical information for the non-technically minded person who’s interested in gyrocopters and sport gyroplanes. The book explains how the gyroplane works, why the rotor blades spin in autorotation, what makes the craft stable. Includes a capsule history of the gyroplane from its invention as a stall-proof aircraft to the more recent developments of the gyrocopter and other sport rotorcraft. Explains the problem of PIO (pilot induced oscillation or “porpoising”) and another nasty problem of gyroplanes, the Buntover. Covers rotor blade tracking and other technical subjects in words that anyone can easily understand. 120 pages. Many photos and illustrations.
How to License a Homebuilt Aircraft
by Paul Bergen Abbott
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This popular book now contains a “Quick Start” section that shows 11 steps to a quick and easy inspection and licensing. It tells, in simple language, how to license a rotorcraft (or any other type of aircraft) and a pilot with the FAA. It contains completed samples of all the necessary forms. This book makes the task easy, and simplifies difficult FAA regulations. It also tells how to buy and sell an aircraft, and compares flying as an ultralight with licensed aircraft. A must-read for every aircraft builder. 76 pages, Photographs.
Flying the Gyroplane
by Martin Hollmann
History and secrets of flying the gyroplane. Discusses “porpoising” and “negative G.” History of rotorcraft, including Juan de la Cierva, Focke, the Rotachute, Bensen and finally the two-place Sportster and ultralight Bumble Bee designed and built by the author. The Sportster was one of the first practical two-place homebuilt enclosed gyros and one of the first used as a two-place trainer for new pilots. The Bumble Bee was the first autogyro to meet the ultralight regulations, in 1984. 110 pages and 45 illustrations.
Modern Gyroplane Design, 2nd Edition
by Martin Hollmann
Gyroplane design and performance calculations. Configuration design and structural analysis of metal and composite blades in flight. Listing for many computer programs for determining gyro performance, rotor blade deflection and bending moments and jump takeoff are included. These programs are written in BASIC for the IBM PC or Macintosh. Tells how to design for jump takeoff. 120 pages and 50 illustrations.
Gyroplane Flying For Beginners
A Guide to Getting Your Gyroplane License
photo; G&S Gremminger
by Patrick Howell, CFI (Gyroplanes).
Highly recommended by Don Farrington and Wing Commander Ken Wallis. The only comprehensive guide for novice gyroplane pilots.
* Preliminaries to gaining a license * personal health and fitness * how a gyroplane works * gyroplane controls and instruments * clothing and personal equipment * general safety precautions * runways and traffic patterns * right of way * radio and air traffic control signals * pre-flight preparations and inspections * start, taxi and shutdown * take offs-climbs, straight and level flight and descents * turns, including steep turns * final approach, landings and go arounds * slow flight and other unusual flight conditions * ground reference maneuvers * going solo * altimetry and weather limitations * cross country flying * night flying * emergencies * the check ride * your own machine * future gyroplane design * Federal Aviation Regulations * study material *glossary * gyroplane performance notes.
FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook
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The Basic Helicopter Handbook (Advisory Circular 61-13B) has been rewritten and renamed the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook. Written for applicants preparing for the private, commercial, or flight instructor certificate with a helicopter or gyroplane class rating, the book is also valuable to flight instructors as a teaching aid. Both aeronautical knowledge and skill for operating rotorcraft are covered. The book is broken into two sections: the first dedicated to helicopters, and the second dedicated to gyroplanes. Each section includes chapters covering aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, the rotorcraft flight manual, flight maneuvers, emergencies, and aeronautical decision making. In addition, the helicopter section includes chapters on weight and balance, performance, attitude instrument flying, and night operations. The book concludes with a comprehensive glossary and index. This new FAA-H-8083-21 replaces the AC 61-13B, and is the official source for all rotorcraft questions appearing on the FAA Knowledge Exams. 8 1/4″ x 10 3/4″, full color, 208-page soft cover format, includes both a glossary and index; illustrated throughout.
Note: the PDF for this book is available free of charge on the FAA Web site. This link may work. If not, just search for it on Google.
A Dream of Flight by Igor Bensen
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Igor Bensen ranks as an aviation pioneer who made a unique contribution to flying. He developed the Bensen Gyrocopter, an aircraft so unusual that early witnesses placed bets that it wouldn’t fly. But it did fly, and at one time was so widely accepted that it became the world’s most popular homebuilt aircraft.
This is the only book written by Igor Bensen. In it, he describes his efforts to develop the ideal personal aircraft, starting in 1953, by building a series of helicopters and gyroplanes. Along with developing many unique flying machines, Bensen invented the idea of selling his machine in a kit so people could build their own aircraft, a very popular practice today. His small rear-engine Gyrocopter became the basic design for all modern gyroplanes. He also founded the Popular Rotorcraft Association, a worldwide organization that promotes flying amateur-built helicopters and gyroplanes. Bensen’s book is a unique personal account written by one of aviation’s most interesting adventurers.
Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
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FAA AC 61-23C reprint. Includes principles of flight, airplanes and engines, flight instruments, performance, weather, navigation, use of computers, publications, and more.
Note: This book is available on the FAA web site. This download link may work. This link to the web page with all the chapters available for downloading may work. If these links don’t work, just search for the book name on the FAA web site…
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