Single seat gyro types commonly flown in the U.K

The Montgomerie Bensen

The Montgomerie Merlin, also known as the Montgomerie Bensen, is produced in kit form by Montgomerie Autogyros, Kirkmichael Road, Crosshill,Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA19 7RJ. The basic underlying structure was originally based on the Bensen design, onto which a streamlined pod was added. The design has since evolved slightly further away from its Bensen roots, and the latest changes include a stepped keel as well as suspension. The engine position has also been altered, lowering the thrust line which is now directly through the centre of mass.

click HERE to visit Montgomerie Autogyros website.

The Campbell Cricket

The original factory made Campbell Cricket was designed and first produced in 1967 but has not been produced for a number of years now, though many examples, such as the one shown above, can still be seen flying regularly. But as of January 2001 the Cricket has become available as a complete kit produced by Cricket Gyroplanes Ltd.. The Cricket type is a well proven gyro and is still the most commonly flown gyro in the U.K. Apparently if a Cricket aircraft registration does not begin with G-A then it is not one of the original Campbells!

Click HERE to visit the website of Cricket Gyroplanes Ltd.

The Everett

The Bensen

Designed by Igor Bensen, the Bensen was the first 'Sport Gyro' produced and flown, and has been flown regularly all over the world ever since the late 1950's. Though there are a substantial number flying in the U.K. I am informed that it is now no longer possible to build this type of gyro from plans - which is a great shame. Apparently the nearest that you can get to building a 'similar' looking open frame gyro is to buy plans and parts for the Ken Brock KB1 and KB2 from the U.S.A.

My very dear friend the late Chris Julian winding up his rotor on his McCulloch powered Bensen B8Mc and about to do a display at the CAA authorised Kilmersdon Village Day Air Display, 1996. In the background is me trying to persuade the BBC TV cameraman to remove himself from the runway - just visible as a line through the longer grass just behind him. Dave Organ made a video of this event ( including ariel footage of his flight in to the event from Kemble Airfield). To purchase this video go to Dave's website (the gyro section) at http://www.apexselfdrive.co.uk/gyro.htm

• Engines : U.K. single seat gyros can be powered by several different types of engine. The most common engines being Rotax 2 stroke or VW 4 strokes. I am not aware of any Rotax 4 stroke engines on our single seaters yet, but we do have to get clearance from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for any changes from the basic 'standard accepted gyro'. This tends to be a very long and expensive course of action and so changes and new technology are very slow to arrive here ! It is for our own good (so they tell us) but can sometimes mean that pilots get themselves in awkward situations wishing that their machines were a little less marginal in performance. However, it is true that a good pilot should always try and fly within the limitations of both the aircraft and his (or her) own ability - and make allowance for the weather conditions too. Sorry ! I'm getting away from the point ! . . . the only other engine that I have seen in use on our commonly flown types is the Italian 2 stroke Arrow engine (the 2 cylinder version). Dave Hill is adapting a 2 cylinder 4 stroke BMW motorcycle engine, and Reg Lancaster has converted a Subaru EA81 (I think) car engine which is waiting to go through the paperwork to be cleared for flight testing. - Subaru engines are probably the most common engine in use on single seaters in Australia and many other parts of the world!
• Rotors : These are almost exclusively aluminium - 'Dragon Wings' rotors are now probably the most common type in use. 'Rotordynes' used to be, but there were a number of cases of the rotor blades delaminating which put a lot of people off! I believe this was due to a change of manufacturer. Those people with the earlier blades are happily continuing to fly on them, and I know of several people who are flying on the later blades having carefully rivetted the trailing edges of their blades before there was any sign of them 'puffing out' at the back. Brock and Rotor Hawk blades are occasionally used, as are McCutchen rotors where they have been cleared for use on a particular individual aircraft by the CAA. I do not believe that they are cleared for general use on any of our commonly flown types, although the vast majority of pilots flying illegally use them. McCutchen rotors are the standard one used on the 'Air Command' gyros (see 'rarely flown single' and '2 seat' gyro pages). All of these rotors are manufactured in, and imported from, the U.S.A.
• Propellers : On the VW engines these tend to be 'Chris Lodge', 'Ken Fern' or nowadays 'Prince P-tip'. On Rotax engines : 'Arplast', 'Ivoprop', occasionally 'Prince P-tip', but most commonly some awful 3 bladed wooden thing whose name escapes me (at least they can't sue me!) and which people often seem to get lumbered with when they purchase an engine. Personally, I swear by the Prince P-tip.