First gyroplane experience at Anson County airport (KAFP) in North Carolina! Barry Kropelin is the founder and organizer of the event, and he graciously accepted my ask for a quick interview.

After the interview, Barry is very nice to give me a ride on this beautiful German autogyo/gyroplane called Cavalon. Since I didn't record the intercom audio, I will reiterate what Barry told me during this flight.

Barry used this closed cockpit Cavalon mainly for travel purpose, it can fly at 8090 knots with 5 gallon per hour fuel rate. Not a bad travel machine!

Taxi feels the same as in an airplane, except the seats are very close to the ground, making it feel like a racecar.

The cockpit is mainly glass panel with steam gauges as backup. For some of you who are not familiar with rotorcraft, the pilot in command normally sits on the right side.

Compared with tandem seat gyroplanes, Cavalon's sidebyside seat design actually creates more drag and makes it less aerodynamically efficient.

Now we taxi to the runway and prepare for the takeoff. Barry will turn the pneumatic mode selector from Brake mode to Flight mode, in order to activate the prerotator.

Now the prerotator is engaged, once the air builds up, the rotor blades will start spinning.

Next, we wait until the prerotator to speed up to 200RPM for takeoff.

I really enjoyed my first gyroplane experience. It's safe and smooth and also gives you a strong sense of freedom. I hope you can feel for yourself at Barry's flyin event in the fall at Anson County airport in North Carolina.

Carolina Barnstormers Aviator Group's Facebook page.
  / carolinabarnstormers  

Carolina Barnstormers Aviator Group's Youtube channel.
   / ultracruiser41able  

#gyroplane #autogyro #cavalon