Calidus | |
---|---|
Role | Autogyro |
National origin | Germany |
Manufacturer | AutoGyro GmbH |
Introduction | 2009 |
Status | In production |
Variants | RotorSport UK Calidus AutoGyro Cavalon |
The AutoGyro Calidus is a German autogyro, designed and produced by AutoGyro GmbH of Hildesheim. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]
The Calidus was approved in the United Kingdom in 2010 in a modified form as the RotorSport UK Calidus.[1][2]
The Calidus features a single main rotor, a two-seats in tandem enclosed cockpit with a complete aerodynamic cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a four-cylinder, air and liquid-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912 engine or turbocharged 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft fuselage is made from composites and is a faired teardrop shape to ensure smooth airflow over the variable pitch pusher propeller. Its 8.4 m (27.6 ft) diameter rotor has a chord of 20 cm (7.9 in). The aircraft has an empty weight of 265 kg (584 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb), giving a useful load of 185 kg (408 lb). The design incorporates vibration dampers that greatly reduce the level of main rotor vibration transmitted to the cockpit.[1]
The design is noted for both its cruise speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and range of 800 km (500 mi). It was developed into the side-by-side configuration AutoGyro Cavalon.[1]
By December 2012 eight examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration. Most are in the Experimental - Amateur-built or Experimental - Exhibition categories. Also by December 2012 three examples had been registered with Transport Canada in the Special Certificate of Airworthiness Limited category.[3][4]
Data from Bayerl[1] and the manufacturer[5]
General characteristics
Performance