1. Pitcairn Mailwing Aircraft
2. Pitcairn Aircraft
3. Pitcairn Autogyro History

ما بين 1930-1935، سجلت اميليا سبعة ارقام قياسية نسائية في السرعة والمسافة باستخدام مجموعة متنوعة من الطائرات منها Airster Kinner، ولوكهيد فيجا، و Pitcairn Autogiro. FSX – Boeing 727-200. This is an update for FSX of the B727-200 by Mike Stone. – FS2004 Pitcairn PCA-2 / XOP-1 Autogyro September 29, 2008 flight2000it 0.

Pitcairn PA-6 “Mailwing”
Single-engine single-seat biplane mailplane

Archive Photos¹

Pitcairn PA-6 Mailwing (NC15307, c/n 159, 1935) on display c.1998 at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, New York (John Shupek photos copyright © 2002 Skytamer Images)

Pitcairn PA-6 Mailwing (NC15307, c/n 159, 1935) on display c.2004 at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, New York (John Shupek photos copyright © 2004 Skytamer Images)

Pitcairn Aircraft Company (Overview) ²

• Pitcairn Aircraft Company
• Former type: Aircraft Manufacturer
• Successor(s): Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company, Company of America (ACA, Pitcairn-Larson Autogiro Company, AGA Aviation Corporation, G and A Aviation.
• Founded: 1927
• Defunct: 1948
• Headquarters: Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
• Key people: Harold Frederick Pitcairn
• Products: Commercial aircraft
• Subsidiaries: Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company

The Pitcairn Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer of light utility aircraft. An early proponent of the autogyro, the company, later known as the Autogyro Company of America among other names, would remain in business until 1948.

History ²

Harold Frederick Pitcairn, the youngest son of PPG Industries founder, John Pitcairn, Jr. founded Pitcairn Aircraft Company. The business started with the formation of Pitcairn Flying School and Passenger Service on 2 November 1924 which later became Eastern Airlines.

In 1926, Pitcairn started Pitcairn Aircraft Company initially to build aircraft for his growing airmail service. He purchased a field in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and built Pitcairn Field No. 2.

The first aircraft, a Pitcairn PA-1 “Fleetwing” was built at the Bryn Athyn field. In 1927, Pitcairn brought aboard a friend and designer from his apprenticeship days at Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, Agnew E. Larson. Larson left the Thomas-Morse Aircraft company to join Pitcairn. In June 1927, the state of the art Wright “Whirlwind” powered Pitcairn PA-5 “Mailwing” was introduced for airmail service. The plane proved popular and was bought by thirteen other companies. In 1928, Pitcairn purchased a Cierva C.8W and the American manufacturing rights from Juan de la Cierva for his autogiro designs for $300,000. In 1929, Pitcairn formed a separate patent holding company to build autogiros, the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company, which was later renamed the Autogiro Company of America. Kellett autogyros competed with, and eventually licensed production rights from Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company for $300,000. As a part of the licensing agreement, Pitcairn used Cierva's copyrighted variant of the name “autogiro” as opposed to the currently more common spelling of “autogyro” which was initially used to bypass his copyright.

In 1929, three prototypes were built with one being demonstrated in the 1929 Cleveland Air Races. Following a fire in November 1929, The first PCA-1 was built and tested the same month. In June 1929, Clement Keys personally bought all the shares of Pitcairn Aviation for 2.5 million dollars, and resold them two weeks later to North American Aviation, which renamed the company Eastern Air Transport, and finally Eastern Airlines. From this point on, Pitcairn focused on autogiros.

In 1931 the company was renamed to the Autogiro Company of America (ACA). In 1931, The Detroit News made history when they bought the first Pitcairn PCA-2 for use as a news aircraft due to it ability to fly well at low altitude and speed, land and take off from restricted spaces and semi-hover for better camera shots. This PCA-2 was the ancestor of today's news helicopters. Also in 1931, pilot James G. Ray landed an autogiro on the South lawn of the White House. Harold F. Pitcairn, the pilot and three other company members of the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company were present to receive the Collier Trophy for their development of the autogyro.

In 1932, autogyro inventor Cierva was greeted by U.S. President Herbert Hoover, who predicted in the future we would have large transport autogyros. Amelia Earhart borrowed a company Pitcairn PCA-2 model. She arranged for the National Aeronautics Association to monitor the flight. Members of the New York press and Movietone News were invited to watch. On her second flight, she remained airborne for about three hours and set a woman's autogiro altitude record of 18,415 feet. Later she toured the country for Beech-Nut Packing Company in a bright green autogiro. On the return trip she crash landed in Abilene, Texas earning her a reprimand from the United States Department of Commerce. A second crash at the Michigan state fair, caused an unintended injury of her husband’s ankle as he ran to the scene.

In 1933, the parent company and conventional aircraft manufacturing arm, Pitcairn Aircraft Company merged with the autogiro arm, following the end of Mailwing production, and contract air-mail flights.

On December 9, 1936 Juan de la Cierva died in a crash of a KLM Douglas DC-2. As a member of the board of directors of the Cierva Autogiro Company, Pitcairn was shocked to learn shortly afterward that the company had also licensed technology in Europe to the German Focke Achgelis Company creating competition to the autogiro with a practical helicopter, the Focke-Wulf Fw-61.

In 1938, the company was renamed to the Pitcairn-Larson Autogiro company, and again in 1940 to the AGA Aviation Corporation.

In 1942, Pitcairn sold his airfield and facilities to the United States military for $480,000, forming the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove. AGA Aviation was now renamed to G and A Aviation, and became part of Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Pitcairn reduced royalties for 19 in house patents and 145 licensed patents to subcontractors of the government during wartime. After 1946, other manufacturers continued to produce helicopters without paying royalties. The company was dissolved in 1948. Pitcairn continued to pursue litigation for use of the patents by other firms in 1951 that stretched into a 1977 Supreme Court Case awarding Pitcairn's estate 32 million dollars.

Military Operations ²

• United Kingdom: In 1940, six Pitcairn PA-18 autogyros were converted to Pitcairn PA-39 models for convoy escorts for the Fleet Air Arm.
• United States: The US Navy evaluated a PCA-2 in 1931, designated as Pitcairn OP on the aircraft carrier “USS Langley”, to become the first rotory wing craft to land on a ship at sea.

Pitcairn “Mailwings” ³

• Pitcairn Mailwing
• Role: Mail Carrier and Sport
• National origin: United States of America
• Manufacturer: Pitcairn Aircraft Company, Philadelphia and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
• Designer: Agnew E. Larson
• First flight: 1927
• Introduction: 1927
• Primary user: U.S. Postal Service
• Number built: 106
• Developed from: Pitcairn PA-4 “Fleetwing II”

The Pitcairn Mailwing family was a series of Mail Carrier and Sport aircraft produced in the U.S.A. from 1927 to 1931.

Design and Development ³

The Pitcairn “Mailwings” were developed by Pitcairn to carry Air Mail for the U.S. Postal Service. Of simple and robust construction, they also had relatively benign flying characteristics.

They were constructed using Chrome-moly steel tube and square-section spruce spars with spruce and plywood built-up ribs. The fuselage was faired using wooden formers and covered with fabric. The tail sections were built up from steel tube and fabric-covered. The Pitcairn Mailwing had a ground-adjustable fin and in-flight adjustable tailplane, features not often seen in other aircraft.

The undercarriage was of outrigger type with oleo-spring shock absorbers and disc brakes on the main wheels. All models looked very similar; changes were minor, with several fuselage extensions being the most obvious.

The mail was carried in a fireproof metal-lined compartment forward of the pilots cockpit. The “Mailwings” were flown extensively by the U.S. Air Mail service from 1927 until the end of dedicated Air-Mail routes.

Pitcairn also built the same aircraft in sport versions for private use. These Sport aircraft had the mail compartment removed, and a side-by-side 2-seat cockpit was fitted.

Variants ³

• PA-5: Original production version of 1927 with Wright J-5-9 engine; ATC 18 (32 built).
• PA-5 Mailwing: Mail carrier version.
• PA-5 Sport Mailwing: Sport version with seats for two passengers.
• PA-6: 1928 production version with Wright J-5-9 engine; ATC 2-22 (early), 92 (late) (53 built).
• PA-6 Super Mailwing: Mail carrier version.
• PA-6B Super Mailwing: 1 converted from PA-6.
• PA-6 Sport Mailwing: Sport version with seats for two passengers.
• PA-7: 1929 production version with Wright J-6 engine; ATC 196.
• PA-7A Sport Mailwing:
• PA-7M Super Mailwing: Mail carrier version (12 built).
• PA-7S Super Sport Mailwing: (15 built).
• PA-8: 1930 production version with Wright J-6 engine; ATC 364.
• PA-8M Super Mailwing: Mail carrier version (6 built).

Operators ³

• United States U.S. Postal Service
• Howard Hughes owned a PA-5 with a chrome plated engine.
• Felix du Pont owned a PA-5 with gold plated rocker covers.

Specifications (PA-7)⁴

Type:

• Single-seat biplane mailplane.

Wings:

• Unequal-span single-bay biplane.
• Wooden construction.
• Wing-section Pitcairn No. 1.
• Routed spruce spars, with plywood ribs, the whole being covered with fabric.
• One set of parallel steel-tube struts on either side of fuselage.
• Ailerons on bottom planes only.

Fuselage:

Pitcairn Mailwing Aircraft

• Welded steel-tube structure of square tubes with rounded corners.
• No wire cross-bracing.

Tail Unit:

• Normal monoplane type.
• Welded steel-tube framework, covered with fabric.

Undercarriage:

• Divided type.
• Consists of two oleo shock-absorber legs, the top ends of which are attached to two small steel-tube pyramids on the sides of the fuselage, the bottom ends being hinged to the center-line of the underside of the fuselage by steel-tube Vees.
• Wheel-brakes fitted.

Power Plant:

• One 220 hp Wright “Whirlwind” J-6 air-cooled radial engine and NACA cowling.
• Standard steel airscrew.
• Main fuel tank 60 US gallons (50 Imp. gallons; 227 liters total capacity), mounted behind engine and feeding by gravity.

Accommodation:

• Mail compartment, of 40 ft³ capacity, designed to carry 550 lb of payload.
• Compartment lined for fire, petrol and weather resistance.
• Pilot's cockpit aft of compartment.
• Pilot's seat of the standard Army type, adjustable pilot's seat permitting greater visibility for take-off and landing.

Dimensions:

• Wingspan (top): 33 ft (10.06 m)
• Wingspan (bottom): 30 ft (9.15 m)
• Length: 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m)
• Height: 9 ft 6½ inches (2.9 m)

Areas:

• Wing area: 243.5 ft² (22.6 m²)

Weights:

• Weight empty: 1,820 lb (826.3 kg)
• Weight loaded: 3,050 lb (1,382 kg)

Loadings:

• Wing loading: 12.1 lb/ft² (59 kg/m²)
• Power loading: 13.8 lb/hp (6.3 kg/hp)

Performance:

• Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 kmh)
• Landing speed: 57 mph (91.2 kmh)

References

1. Photos: Shupek, John A., copyright © 2002,2004 Skytamer Images
2. Wikipedia, Pitcairn Aircraft Company
3. Wikipedia, Pitcairn Mailwing
4. Bridgman, Leonard. (editor). Jane's All The World’s Aircraft 1931, Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., London, 1931, page 307c

Copyright © 1998-2018 (Our 20^th Year) Skytamer Images, Whittier, California
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

From novelty and hobby of a few, gyrocopters are progressing towards the mainstream sky. Gyrocopter, gyroplane, autogyro, gyro – call them what you like, are one of the safest aircrafts designed. Easy to fly, fun and adventurous, gyrocopters have been one of the favorite toy aircrafts for amateure pilots around the world since the 1930s’.

Gyrocopter, the last remaining secret of the aviation community, surged in popularity with the appearance in hollywood movies. Staring in James Bond’s You only Live Twice, the singles-seat, open cockpit aircraft, raised question and won the hearts of hobby aircraft society. From that point on, autorotating gyroplane aircraft, has become the object of home development and transformation, with crafty designs and many user improvements.

Picture 1: James Bond Little Nelly Gyrocopter – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Nellie.jpg

In the last century, gyrocopters have lived up to its renaissance. With the latest technology developments, it became much more affordable and accessible to many. In many countries today, gyroplanes are present everywhere – from transportation, adrenaline adventure sport, hobby and sightseeing.

From the First Take off To Flight around The World

The gyrocopter predates the helicopter, having been invented in the early 1920s by the Spaniard Juan de la Cierva. The idea behind the gyrocopter development was to produce aircraft that could be flown safely at low airspeed. De la Cierva’s aircraft was equipped with a conventional propeller for forward flight and an articulated, or hinged, air-powered rotor.

The first takeoff happened at the oldest Spanish airport in Madrid, Cuatro Vientos Airfield in 1923. Only two years later, in 1925., De la Cierva’s Gyrocopter has flown for 8 minutes crossing the distance of 10.5 km, a significant accomplishment for any rotorcraft of the time.

Pitcairn Aircraft

Electrical Gyrocopter Future

Due to the high commute in cities and the never ending human struggle with time save, urban aviation along with the tech giants, are on a quest to launch an electrical gyrocopter design back in the air.

At the moment two companies, Skyworks Global and Jaunt Air Mobility, are working on their model of electric air taxis called eGyro. This could make public transportation, along with the private transportation, much faster and pleasant.

According to WIRED ‘Among the many configurations being developed for future electric air taxis—everything from drone-like multirotor affairs to machines with both wings and tilting propellers—the gyroplane might prove to be the most readily adaptable to the task, given its simplicity and known safety characteristics.’

What is the Difference Between Gyrocopter and Helicopter?

There’s one basic fact that must be comprehended before any important talk of gyroplanes can occur: They are not helicopters. They operate very differently and use different mechanic. This confusion between the two kinds of rotorcraft has been increased by the low number of gyroplanes compared to helicopters. A gyroplane can do everything a helicopter can do except hover and take off vertically.

Gyrocopters are a blend of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. The significant contrast between a gyroplane and a helicopter is that the rotor of the gyroplane isn’t coupled to the engine. The rotor begins to turn as a result of flying in the air – the auto-rotatory principle – which produces the uplift required for flight. Because of the progressive standards behind its flight, the gyrocopter is likewise referred to pros as the “flying windmill.”

Both gyrocopters and helicopters are very charming and interesting rotorcraft. Moreover, they are capable of different and specific manoeuvres and uses compared to fixed-wing aircraft.

How Does a Gyrocopter Work?

Modern gyrocopters are very different from the first gyroplanes developed in the 1920s, but the principle of work has remained the same.

A gyroplane is a rotorcraft type that utilizes an unpowered rotor in autorotation to create lift. At the same time, an engine-powered propeller on gyrocopter, similar to that of a fixed-wing air ship, gives push to the plane. Because of a separate engine/propeller that provides forward thrust, gyrocopters are much safer than helicopters.

In the event of an engine failure, the gyrocopter will descend, while the main rotor blades will continue to rotate and provide lift due to the continued airflow through. Throughout flight, the gyroplane is therefore in a continuous state of autorotation and behaves similarly to a fixed wing aircraft, except that its wing rotates.

Pitcairn Autogyro History

How to Fly ?

Now that we have established what gyrocopters are and how they work, it’s time to learn how to fly them. At least in theory, and then eventually in the sky.

Gyrocopters are easier to fly as they only have three flight controls: rudder pedals, a throttle and a control stick. For beginners, who have never flown before, this type of control over the aircraft is much simpler than a plane or helicopter. In addition to this, gyrocopters don’t require as much space to be able to take off or land as aeroplanes or helicopters do. Most gyrocopters nowadays only require around 4,5 m of runway to go up in the sky and around 6 m landing. That means they can be flown from practically everywhere. All you need is a garden big enough, and you’re away!

Pilot Training

Have you ever consider commuting to your office using your personal helicopter? What about a quick trip for a weekend getaway? With more and more gyroplane pilot training schools opening, this is about to become the future. Given the fact that the technology is making gyroplane technology more accessible in the near future we can expect to have the air flying trend and further development of private plane infrastructure, making the sky more available to everyone.

Gyroplane is an aircraft that falls under the classification of the light sport which does not require an extensive medical analysis as for the plane pilot. The medical exam is the same as for the driving licence. And while it is up to your skills on how much training and pilot exercise you need to fly a gyrocopter, you will have to approach the Private Pilot Exam before flying solo.

For an individual without any prior pilot training or experience, it usually takes up to 40 hours of gyrocopter training, both solo and with instructor, to approach the pilot exam. Most of the gyrocopter enthusiasts then either rent gyrocopters to start their flying adventure, or decide to purchase a gyrocopter.

Above all, there are plenty of quality simulators, console games, and computer games where a ground-locked plane pilot can get his sky-fix in. It’s practically an embarrassment of riches. Our favorite choices for autogyro simulation trainings are FSX and X-Plane.

What are Advantages?

For the aviation beginners, gyroplane’s simplicity makes it as easy for sky introduction. Moreover, gyrocopters are easy to maintain as a motorcycle. Also, you can fly them under sport-pilot rules with a “driver’s license” medical.

The most common single-seat gyroplane is about 4.25 m long and 2.4 m high, with wheels spanning 2 m. Empty weight is about 227 kg. Having these numbers in mind, it is clear that gyrocopters are easier for transportation.

• Small and versatile aircraft and small.
• It can fly at low speed, safely. At zero forward airspeed a gyro will slowly descend, to a survivable landing.
• Gyrocopter can land anywhere.
• It can takeoff from almost anywhere.
• Less complicated than helicopters, resulting in lower acquisition cost – much less complicated rotor hub.
• Lower running costs than helicopters.

Cost and Maintenance

Both the purchase and the operational/maintenance costs are low, infinitely inferior to those of helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts.

The flight autonomy of the gyrocopter is similar to that of an airplane. Its fuel consumption is significantly lower than that of a helicopter. Given its high operational and takeoff flexibility it is easy to set up gyrocopter refueling points, increasing their range of flight. If necessary, it is possible to attach an additional fuel deposit to double the radio or flight distance.

MagniGyro, ELA Aviation and Trixy Aviation Products. Depending on your design preference, the open cabin or the closed one, speed and other aircraft preference, the price of the gyrocopter can vary.The starting price of the gyrocopter is 60.000 EUR and you can take a look at different gyrocopter models over here.

Safety

Most sport gyrocopters aren’t cute and beautiful. For years, they have been built and developed by the hobby gyrocopter crafters around the world. But, there is no denial, of the magnetic appeal and the fun the gyrocopter aircraft promises.

The question of gyrocopter safety has been complex in the aviation society, and it is closely connected to marginalized gyrocopter development in the past. Since the gyrocopter pilot schools are expanding, and the technology is being development by the big tech and aviation giants, this has changed in the last decade or so.

Due to the lack of training and design imperfection, the 1st generation of gyrocopter was considered to be dangerous. New aviation regulations, along with the improved gyrocopter designs for extended stabilization, has made it the world’s safest aircraft.

With a little bit of gyrocopter school and the formal pilot training offered by FAA certified flight instructors in your country, the gyrocopter safety is ensured and your sky adventure can begin.

Experience

Gyrocopters are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Want to take your adventure to the skies, as a tourist or as a hobby pilot? Gyrocopter experience is cost-effective, accessible and beautiful in every way.

In summary, gyroplanes are easy and safe to fly if you get competent instruction and fly like you were instructed.

Gyrocopter Rent – charter

Gyrocopter Tours