Getting into the world of gyros

[iWazzuu]

Hi, I've fallen in love with gyros and over the past few weeks I've been doing a lot of research into the different machines available. After many considerations, and talking to a lot of people, I've narrowed down my list of desired gyros to just a few, I haven't decided totally on whether I want an open or enclosed cockpit, however I have decided I want tandem and not side by side.

My list is:

Enclosed: Calidus
Open: Magni M16 (the M22 has no training controls which I need), the ELA-08 or the MTOSport.

I'm going to be in Venice, Italy from the 17th to the 23rd of Sept (next week) and was wondering if you guys know of a place nearby where I can possibly see all 4 models mentioned above.

[Splinter]

Go to Springs airfield! There are MT`s, Ela`s Magni (M16 and 22) and a fully enclosed Magni M24 all in one hanger!

[iWazzuu]

Springs Airfield in South Africa? That's a bit far from Venice, Italy. Anything closer?

[Learjet]

Hi iWazzuu, lots of owners here who will be able to give you opinions and advice about the Ela, Magni M16 and Calidus, but sadly not to much info about Italian owners & airfields
Perhaps try the "Gyro pilots do it in autorotation" group on Facebook as it has group members from all over the world and I'm sure there'll be a couple from Italy as well who will be able to provide the info you're looking for.

[old no 7]

Kinda like giving us the menu and asking us to order for you.
What are your needs / preferences?
Long distance tourer? M22
Solid tandem? M16
Value for money but less solid? Mt0S
most under-rated? ELA
Local is Lekka? RAF2000

why enclosed vs open cockpit?

After sales support?

Click vs club pilot?

All have pro's. All have cons.
One thing is for certain. No matter what you buy, you WILL enjoy it.

[iWazzuu]

Hi iWazzuu, lots of owners here who will be able to give you opinions and advice about the Ela, Magni M16 and Calidus, but sadly not to much info about Italian owners & airfields
Perhaps try the "Gyro pilots do it in autorotation" group on Facebook as it has group members from all over the world and I'm sure there'll be a couple from Italy as well who will be able to provide the info you're looking for.

Great idea, thanks.

[iWazzuu]

Kinda like giving us the menu and asking us to order for you.
What are your needs / preferences?
Long distance tourer? M22
Solid tandem? M16
Value for money but less solid? Mt0S
most under-rated? ELA
Local is Lekka? RAF2000

why enclosed vs open cockpit?

After sales support?

Click vs club pilot?

All have pro's. All have cons.
One thing is for certain. No matter what you buy, you WILL enjoy it.

Since you ask, here it goes...

First of all I'm looking for safety and quality of build.
I'm looking for a nimble gyro for mostly short 1-2 flights, not much cross-country to be done in Israel. I need a gyro that is both agile and forgiving, since I'm new at this, beside my mandatory 25 hours of training I won't have much experience, so I need a gyro that can "teach" me the wonders of gyro-ing without killing me
I am not looking for the cheapest gyro, money is not a consideration for me between these models as they are close enough.
I need a gyro that is user-friendly, easy pre-rotation procedures (without needing a third hand), forgiving in rough landings, proper instrumentation and position, comfortable, etc.

As for why enclosed vs. open. I like the looks of the enclosed (the Calidus is beautiful), however I'm concerned about the heat, Israel get's pretty hot during the summer with very mild winters, not sure their "summer canopy" will provide enough ventilation for our summers (I just flew in a RAF with the doors off, temperature was around 34 degrees Celsius and it was pretty hot in there)

Why do you say the MT0 is "less solid"? What exactly do you mean?

[Pieter Smith]

There ain't no thing as a bad Gyro. Good luck on choosing the right Gyro for you. Its very true what Old no 7 said "No matter what you buy, you WILL enjoy it."

" On the "less solid" Mt0S issue: I think he was just referring to there owners.

Good luck and enjoy Italy.

[Learjet]

There is no perfect gyro to suit everyone. If there was, we'd all be flying it. And when one asks "which gyro is best" the answer from every gyro owner will be that the model they choose to fly is. And they're absolutely right.
All the gyros types you mention are factory built and will deliver a satisfactory build quality as evidenced by their popularity.
Of the 3, in South Africa the Magni M16 is (probably because it's been around the longest) the most widely used training gyro, and has withstood the test of time and earned the reputation of being a safe, stable, well-mannered gyro to train on and fly. Ditto the MT-03. Gyros are generally non-type certified "experimental" aircraft, and being someone who flies strictly for fun I have no ambitions of being the unwitting test pilot for a gyro manufacturer's new model - so I'm a little reserved about new model gyros that have yet to earn their stripes in the air and have the bugs ironed out over the first few thousand flying hours. You will need to make up your own mind about what constitues a safe level of "tried and tested".

Seating configuration and enclosed or open is a personal preference and one you will need to establish for yourself by flying the various gyro types in your climatic environment. Engine, airframe, rotor-system and overall safe, stable handling characteristics are what really count - and all of your shortlisted gyros will make the grade.
We're human and easily seduced by aesthetics and easy on the eye lines, but the metallic paintwork, open or close configuration or seating arrangement, suspension travel, ventilation or even pre-rotation procedures will be the last thing on your mind when you fly into some unexpected turbulance that has you gritting your teeth and tightening your grip on the stick!

If possible, do your gyro training before making your purchase decision. It makes all the difference knowing how to drive before buying a car - irrespective of what the salesmen and glossy brochures may promise.

[t-bird]

Nice one Glen !!!
"most under-rated? ELA"

[iWazzuu]

There ain't no thing as a bad Gyro. Good luck on choosing the right Gyro for you. Its very true what Old no 7 said "No matter what you buy, you WILL enjoy it."

" On the "less solid" Mt0S issue: I think he was just referring to there owners.

Good luck and enjoy Italy.

Thanks!

[iWazzuu]

There is no perfect gyro to suit everyone. If there was, we'd all be flying it. And when one asks "which gyro is best" the answer from every gyro owner will be that the model they choose to fly is. And they're absolutely right.
All the gyros types you mention are factory built and will deliver a satisfactory build quality as evidenced by their popularity.
Of the 3, in South Africa the Magni M16 is (probably because it's been around the longest) the most widely used training gyro, and has withstood the test of time and earned the reputation of being a safe, stable, well-mannered gyro to train on and fly. Ditto the MT-03. Gyros are generally non-type certified "experimental" aircraft, and being someone who flies strictly for fun I have no ambitions of being the unwitting test pilot for a gyro manufacturer's new model - so I'm a little reserved about new model gyros that have yet to earn their stripes in the air and have the bugs ironed out over the first few thousand flying hours. You will need to make up your own mind about what constitues a safe level of "tried and tested".

Seating configuration and enclosed or open is a personal preference and one you will need to establish for yourself by flying the various gyro types in your climatic environment. Engine, airframe, rotor-system and overall safe, stable handling characteristics are what really count - and all of your shortlisted gyros will make the grade.
We're human and easily seduced by aesthetics and easy on the eye lines, but the metallic paintwork, open or close configuration or seating arrangement, suspension travel, ventilation or even pre-rotation procedures will be the last thing on your mind when you fly into some unexpected turbulance that has you gritting your teeth and tightening your grip on the stick!

If possible, do your gyro training before making your purchase decision. It makes all the difference knowing how to drive before buying a car - irrespective of what the salesmen and glossy brochures may promise.

Unfortunately it won't be possible to get my gyro training before I purchase, however I will fly on all of them and will review them with my CFI who has 28 years gyro experience with over 5000 hours, with all the info I've been getting from the forums and literature around, my views of the machines and his input, I'm pretty sure I'll make the right choice (for me), and like many have said here and elsewhere, no matter which one I end up with, I'll be happy with it. Can't wait to start flying!

[old no 7]

Why do you say the MT0 is "less solid"? What exactly do you mean?

Fact: Magni - aviation grade alloys. MT - stainless steel
Fact Magni rotor much heavier composite rotor vs lightweight aluminium stores greater kinetic energy which gives far more stable flying properties. I was never able to fly either of my MTs hands-free. M22 handles bumps and turbulence far better.
Both good gyro's, but for different reasons. Choose your criteria for making your decision and see which type ticks the most boxes.

[abezzi]

Ciao I read this post only now, if you want some information where to go in Italy next week, send me a pm and I'll give you my phone number, ciao