First Ground Test of Autogyro Pre-Rotation

FIRST SUCCESSFUL TEST ON THE GROUND

For background; - See previous reports

Autogyro Project Report 1
Status Report Oct 03
Status Report April 04
Status Report May 04

On May 27 I did the first test on the ground of the tip rocket system on the autogiro glider.

Tip rockets ground test, 31 Mb

When opening the valve the rockets initially steamed and spat for 5 to 10 seconds. After this they were running clean and the rotor speed accelerated gradually.

You can see and hear on the movie that I throttled the valve a couple of times. This was because I wanted to stay in control while I had to push a button on the rpm-meter in order to get a new reading.

The autogyro was tied to the ground, but if you look carefully on the movie you can see that it attempted to lift after about 45 seconds. (1.03 min. on the movie clock). As a pilot I felt the take-off very clearly! The rotor speed at this time was 314 rpm.

Performance data:

Empty weight of autogyro: 78 kg
Weight of pilot: 82 kg
Rotor diameter: 7.5 m
Pitch angle: 4 degrees
Rotor speed at take-off: 314 rpm
Rocket thrust: 2 x 5 kgf
Fuel consumption: 3.5 l/min
Time from 0 to take-off rotor speed: 45 seconds (= 2.6 l fuel)
Fuel: 81% H₂O₂


Next report: Autogyro vertical take-off

This article was updated on November 30th, 2006