Gyroplane
The gyroplane, also known as an autogyro, is a rotary-wing aircraft that differs from conventional aircraft in the way it generates lift. While aeroplanes have fixed wings, gyroplanes use a two-bladed rotor that rotates to create the necessary lift.
The gyroplane can be considered a hybrid between an aeroplane and a helicopter. Unlike the aeroplane, the gyroplane uses a propeller for propulsion, but instead of fixed wings, it has rotating wings. On the other hand, like the helicopter, the gyroplane has rotary wings, but its rotor is not connected to the engine and spins freely in "autorotation" driven by the air, thus generating the lift force. In contrast, in a helicopter, both propulsion and lift depend on the rotor, which is driven by an engine and ceases to generate lift at stall.
For a gyroplane to take off, it is necessary to pre-launch the upper rotor, i.e. to rotate it before take-off. This is achieved by setting the rotating wings in motion at a minimum number of turns. Once these turns have been reached, the rotor is kept spinning in "autorotation" by the action of the relative wind, without the need for a continuous external force.
In aeroplanes, wings generate lift but require a minimum speed to stay aloft, which means that the pilot must be attentive to speed to avoid loss of lift.
On the other hand, gyroplanes fly in autorotation, which means that they never stall. It is even possible for the pilot to fly stationary, i.e. without moving horizontally, while descending.
The wings on both aircraft and gyroplanes follow the same operating principles, but in gyroplanes the ability to maintain lift in autorotation avoids the risk of lift loss found in conventional aircraft.
