Little Wing Autogyro

Little Wing Autogyro
Role	Autogyro
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Little Wing Autogyros, Inc.
Designer	Ron Herron
First flight	1995
Introduction	1995

The Little Wing Autogyro is a series of conventional one and two place autogyros with a tractor engine layout using modern engines and produced by Little Wing Autogyros, Inc. of Mayflower, Arkansas.^[1][2][3][4]

Development

Ron Herron was concerned about the problem of pushover fatalities in pusher gyrocopters. He set to develop a tractor layout gyrocopter that also met the FAA rules for ultralight aircraft. A Prototype LW-1 powered by a Continental O-200 engine was soon followed on by the LW-2. The design was influenced by Juan de la Cierva's autogyros. ^[5]

Operational history

Andy Keech set 29 world records in an LW-5 Autogyro.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Variants

LW-1

Original proof of concept prototype

LW-2

Single place autogyro designed to weigh less than 254 lb (115 kg) to meet US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations

LW-3

A 70 hp (52 kW) covered version

LW-4

A two place long frame version

LW-5

A two place short frame version

Roto-Pup

Ultralight version based on the Preceptor Ultra Pup airframe.^[1][13]

Aircraft on display

• Little Wing LW-5, EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.^[14]

Specifications (LW-2)

Data from Company^[15]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 18 ft (5.5 m)
• Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)
• Gross weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 8.5 U.S. gallons (32 L; 7.1 imp gal)
• Main rotor diameter: 23 ft (7.0 m)
• Main rotor area: 415 sq ft (38.6 m²)
• Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

• Cruise speed: 65 kn; 121 km/h (75 mph)
• Disk loading: 1.8 lb/sq ft (8.8 kg/m²)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Cierva C.1
• Cierva C.2
• Cierva C.3

References

1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page F-5. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
2. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 57. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 206. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
4. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 182. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
5. "Little Wing Autogyros, Inc". Littlewingautogyro.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
6. "Little Wing Wonder-World Records". Littlewingwonder.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
7. "Class E (Rotorcraft) record claims ratified". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 26 February 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2014. 1 2 1+2
8. "FAI Record ID #13113 - Speed over a closed circuit of 500 km without payload" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 12 September 2014.
9. "FAI Record ID #13115 - Speed over a closed circuit of 1000 km without payload" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 12 September 2014.
10. "FAI Record ID #13111 - Speed over a closed circuit without landing" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 12 September 2014.
11. "FAI Record ID #9597 - Autogyro, altitude" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 28 November 2013.
12. "FAI Record ID #14695 - Autogyro, distance without landing" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 28 November 2013.
13. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 326. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
14. "2000 Herron/Keech Little Wing LW-5 Autogyro - N100MK". eaa.org. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
15. "Little Wing Autogyros, Inc". Littlewingautogyro.com. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

External links

• Official website