25 April 2013
It appears that the growing maturity of the gyrocopter market is continuing, with a number of new models on display at AERO and at least one of the major manufacturers showing two particularly progressive models.
AutoGyro, the manufacturer of the Cavalon side-by-side two-seater that we reviewed in the June issue of FLYER (on sale now), used the event to display its new electric-powered Cavalon, a project it is developing in conjunction with Bosch. Details on the aircraft are still quite sketchy but we were that AutoGyro hopes to have the aircraft flying by the end of this year, with certification completed within the following year.
Early reports suggest a 20 minute flight range, with plans to increase it in the short term to nearer an hour.
On display alongside the electric model was a Cavalon kitted out to be used for aerial surveys. While this may raise questions about how such a concept will work without the current availability of a CPL(G), such an innovation does perhaps suggest that it’s time for a wider audience to accept that the gyrocopter might have outgrown its image as a aviator’s plaything.
There was also reason for celebration on the AutoGyro stand as the manufacturer announced the sale of its 1,000th MTO Sport and the production of its 100th Cavalon.
<a href=’http://www.auto-gyro.com’ target=’_blank’>www.auto-gyro.com</a>
