A gyrocopter relies on a free-spinning main rotor to generate lift as air flows up and through the blades. Unlike a helicopter, the main rotor is not driven by the engine during flight. Forward propulsion comes from a separate, engine-driven propeller mounted on the rear or front of the aircraft. They cannot hover in still air but are mechanically simpler and stall-resistant.
Heard on the job
He built a small gyrocopter in his garage and flies it out of the local grass strip on weekends.
Also heard as
- autogyro
- gyroplane
Do not mix it up with
- Helicopter: A helicopter uses an engine to power its main rotor for both lift and thrust, whereas a gyrocopter's main rotor spins freely in the wind.