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In-flight loaded dynamic components of a typical autogiro.

A type of aircraft which utilizes a rotating wing (rotor) to provide lift. An autogiro is similar to a helicopter, but uses a conventional engine-propeller combination in addition to the rotor to pull the vehicle through the air like a fixed-wing aircraft.

Unlike the helicopter, the autogiro rotor maintains its speed of rotation in the air because of the aerodynamic forces acting upon the rotor blades, and is without direct mechanical drive from the engine (autorotation). All the power required to maintain flight is supplied through the propeller of the autogiro at the front (tractor type) or rear (pusher type) of the fuselage. The rotor is thereby pulled through the air and creates a lifting force.

The autogiro has several inherent advantages. It is capable of takeoff and landing in a shorter distance than the fixed- wing airplane, and is capable of level controlled flight at extremely slow speed, on the order of 20 mi/h (30 km/h). It is mechanically simpler than the helicopter. An autogiro, unlike an airplane, cannot be stalled. Among the disadvantages of the vehicle is that its speed performance is limited as compared to an airplane, although it is capable of flying slightly faster than the helicopter. It cannot hover as can a helicopter.  Helicopter.

 

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