Killed by a gyrocopter..

[Alkemac]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ottom.html

Not too sure about the 200 mph though...all the same, quite rough

[skybound®]

Interesting story. Wonder which way that court case will pan out. I guess he could have shut down and called the cops.

[Morph]

Not too sure about the 200 mph though...all the same, quite rough

they are talking about the engine prop, not the top blade. At max rpm (5500) a 72" prop tip is traveling at 780km/h or 484 mph

914 UL motor revs to 5500rpm
2.43 ratio gearbox resulting in the prop rotating at 2263rpm
72" prop = 1.828meter diameter prop. Circumference = Pi(Diameter) 3.14*1.828 = 5.745meters per revolution
5.745m X 2263rpm X 60minutes = 780,000 meters per hour = 780 km/h

[Gyronaut]

If the prop was turning at 200mph he was at idle so his defence should be that he wasn't aiming to run him over or the prop would be turning at 780kph as per Morph-the-man's calc. Sad event none the less and bad airmanship on the gyro pilot's part but who in his right mind would try to run over someone?? Imagine the damage it does to your prop and gearbox. tongue in cheek so dont me...

On a technical point.. a Rotax 914UL at max RPM runs at 5 800 RPM. 5 500 is considered 75% power and it can run at that all day. 5 800 for no more than 5 minutes.

[John Boucher]

True Len... poor airmanship, however very irresponsible on the part of the deceased. He was contravening an aviation act by invading an active runway. By the same token the gyro pilot should have shut down to prevent an accident.

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

Glad i wasnt the one that had to clean up the mess!. Did this idiot think that he was invinsible.
Cant stand fox hunters anyway - strongs to the pilot, he was in no way in the wrong !
just my opinion,

Later

[Morph]

Who gives the idiot the right to prevent the gyro from taking off.

Having said that, I would also have shut down with that clown jumping in front of me

[John Boucher]

People invading runways is a common problem in South Africa today - not to mention kids on quads en free roaming animals!

I personally think the deceased should be fully accountable (pun intended) irrelevant if the pilot directed his aircraft at him or not. We all shout PROP CLEAR for a reason and if you don't see the blades stay the f.... away (this is a rhyme I tell my kiddo!)

[Hak]

A runway is 4 planes,and not 4 idiots like Mr Morse.

[Low Level]

If you strike someone with an aeroplane prop, might be an slight pilot misjudgement or something, but a gyro prop.

Gyros taxi real slow to start with, prop in the back, wheels and landing gear in the way. That idiot most propably tried to assault the pilot in the cockpit.

[John Boucher]

Would actually like to see the video footage!

[Learjet]

Gyrocopter pilot cleared over huntsman death

Bryan Griffiths was found not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence
A gyrocopter pilot has been found not guilty of killing a hunt supporter who was struck by the machine's propeller.

Full BBC news report here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 571913.stm

A tragic outcome irrespective of who was at fault where.

[John Boucher]

Would still like to see the video footage...

Also to have been shot at from the ground is disconcerting

Morse was there with malice intent...

Would still as PIC have shut down the engine irrespective...

[Gyronaut]

This is very good news.

I think justice has prevailed since no right thinking pilot, Gyro or otherwise will intentionally use his machine to kill/injure/maim another human being. I am sorry for Mr Morse's family's loss and that emotions got the better of him.

I too would love to see the footage to see how Mr Morse missed the undercarriage and managed to enter the prop. I don't want to see the point of impact or the result, just how he managed to get there.

Lets all agree to kill our motors in any event if anyone/anything unauthorised comes within 20ft of the machine. Its easy enough to start again once safe.