For those with existing licences – a PPL(H) for example – the CAA currently allow an exemption. The requirement therefore would be training/supervised solo hours + rotorcraft technical examination paper.Similar exemptions may apply to other types of flying licences and indeed to those who have only limited previous flying training.

All training is done under the ‘umbrella’ of the North West Gyroplane Club – the friendliest and most active gyroplane club in the UK.

Most flying training is currently being undertaken from our own airfield at Kirkbride,which is situated on the Solway Plain,a few miles to the west of the City of Carlisle.We also use other grass strips for out-landings,giving us unparalleled facilities for flight training.

Flight training normally starts with an introduction to general and gentle manoeuvres in the upper-air,before returning to the airfield circuit pattern to learn approach and landing procedures.Following the initial upper-air flights,work then really starts toward developing the student into a safe and accomplished gyroplane pilot,with first the basics of ‘airmanship’- rotor management – rotor disc-loading – effects of controls –effects of lift/drag on the rotor system – takeoff technique-transition to level flight – effects of power settings and aircraft attitude on both height and speed – transitions to the descent – and landings.

This is followed by emergency procedures and simulated engine failure.Depending upon individual ability,the student should be ready for solo flight after a relative short time.

At some stage during the primary training,the student will decide whether to continue all further training on one of the two seaters available – or if applicable,their own aircraft.

Alternatively they may wish to continue their course on a single seater,which does give the student more ‘rounded’ ability,in a lighter and sometimes more sensitive machine.All single seat training is conducted,first by a thorough briefing and demonstration by the instructor and then followed via two-way VHF radio,from instructor to student-pilot,out on the airfield.

Following the excitement of first solo around the airfield circuit and a further period of consolidation training,the student will be ready for advanced auto rotational techniques including operating ‘behind the drag curve’ to enable very slow safe flight and,holding height and attitude,transition into the hover – and recovery to cruise flight.Tight turns,climbing and descending turns,including spiral descents.As in the case of all manoeuvres, these are first demonstrated by your instructor and then practised by you the student.

Throughout the course,engine failure procedures will be practised at very regular intervals and until the students’ reactions and procedures become almost ‘second nature’ to such an eventuality.

Formation flying is also a feature of the course,cross country flight and basic navigation,leading up to the ‘qualifying cross country’ flights,including out-landings at two other airfields.

The course culminates with a general flying test(GFT),where you will demonstrate the principal manoeuvres you have learned during the course.The GFT – which is a test of your flying skill –normally lasts about 40 minutes and is followed by a de-briefing.

Flying training is conducted by the hour,you pay only for the time spent in the aircraft.By arrangement,block bookings of days or even weeks can be made to meet the students’ own requirements.Many people prefer to do a ‘concentrated’ course – or in at least several major parts of perhaps a week at a time – which of course can prove to be the most cost/time effective way of completing your licence.

In addition to the flying training,there is a required knowledge of some ‘ground’ subjects which include;Air-Law,Met/Navigation and rotorcraft principals of flight.We have an instructor/examiner on hand to guide you gently and easily through the various subjects with the minimum of fuss.

The whole of the flying training process is designed to be fun.as part of a serious flying training programme – and the ultimate goal being your own PPL(Gyroplanes).

Suggested Gyroplane reference books include;

‘Understanding the Gyroplane’ and ‘Gyroplane Flight Manual’,by Paul Bergen-Abbott.
‘Gyroplanes – their construction and operation’, by Hugh Bancroft-Wilson.
'The Microlight Pilot's Handbook' by BMAA

Where to stay

There are also several camping sites in the locality and camping is permitted on the airfield at Kirkbride.

Flying training charges

Also available:

Gift Voucher/present for a ‘hands-on’ flight - £90.00
New 13 minute DVD(stunning all-flying action + music, showing flying training,including in-flight camera,air-to-air and ground/air professional footage and including formation flying, low level.All shot around Carlisle featuring VPM and Merlins - £10.00+P/P

Availability of gyroplanes to buy

You can pay more for a gyroplane with a four-stroke engine which gives a little more speed and increases the range of the aircraft considerably.

Two seat gyroplanes are also available,though are more difficult to get hold of secondhand ,and typically you would expect to pay up to anywhere up to and beyond £15,000 for a twin seater.

Typical speeds vary between 50mph for a basic gyroplane to 70mph+ for a more sophisticated machine and likewise,the range of a gyroplane can vary between 40/50 miles to nearly 300miles.

You can, as an alternative, build your gyroplane from a kit and there are several manufacturers that offer this facility.

For the more adventurous and mechanically-minded,you can even build at least one gyroplane, a ‘Cricket’ from plans.

Rough guide to secondhand prices for gyroplanes

Cricket/Everett,includes cockpit and instruments,depending upon condition and equipment - Circa £7.000 to £8.500.

Montgomerie ‘Merlin’.Good fast comfortable tourer with instruments and permit to fly and depending upon equipment - Cica £9.000 to £11.000.

‘Mike Mee’/Montgomerie ‘Merlin’,extremely efficient,fast and long range tourer,with Rotax 912 four stroke engine, well-equipped - Circa £15,000+

RAF 2000,twin seat,depending upon age and condition - £13,000 to £20,000

VPM M16,twin seat,depending upon age and condition and engine fitted - Circa £15,000 to £20,000+

‘Merlin’ kits available from Jim Montgomerie, Ayreshire, Scotland.
‘Cricket’ kits available from British Gyroplanes, Oxford.
‘Everett’ kits from Dick Everett, Suffolk
RAF 2000 kits from NewtonAir Gyroplanes, Devon.

There are two excellent two seaters waiting ‘in the wings’ for approval in the UK, the Magni M16/2000 and ELA 0-7.Both are superb machines, very similar in both performance and handling and well-equipped though the ELA wins by a large margin on price at currently £23,800 Brand New and fully built!

Tremendous interest is now being shown in gyroplane flying.People from all walks of like are now attracted in increasing numbers to this unique,fun form of aviation.We train both absolute beginners right the way through to professional B747 captains and military fast-jet pilots and everyone in between.

Gyroplanes are relatively cheap to buy and very economical to run.They are very manoeuvrable and great fun to fly and they can be operated from a grass strip or even a relatively smooth farm field – they do not have to be operated from a formal airfield.They far exceed the performance of an average microlight,in terms of strong winds and turbulance.They are extremely stable,due mainly to a much higher wing loading,the ability of the rotor to absorb turbulence and inherent gyroscopic stability.

Gyroplanes,without doubt,offer one of the safest forms of flight – always provided you have received a proper and approved course of flight training….

If there is anything you wish to discuss regarding this information, please do not hesitate to call us.

We look forward to hearing from you.