The Little Wing Autogyro is a series of conventional one and two place

autogyro An autogyro (from Greek and , "self-turning"), also known as a ''gyroplane'', is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, by an engine-driven propeller. Whi ...

s with a tractor engine layout using modern engines and produced by Little Wing Autogyros, Inc. of

Mayflower, Arkansas Mayflower is a city in Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,234 at the 2010 census, up from 1,631 at the 2000 census. History Mayflower is a small town located along Interstate 40 southeast of Conway (Faulkner County ...

.Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page F-5. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. Downey, Julia: ''2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 57. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 206. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XBayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 182. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X

Development

Ron Herron was concerned about the problem of pushover fatalities in pusher gyrocopters. He set to develop a tractor layout gyrocopter that also met the

FAA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...

rules for ultralight aircraft. A Prototype LW-1 powered by a

Continental O-200 The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in³ (3.29 L) displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower (67 and 75 kW).''Federal Aviation Admini ...

engine was soon followed on by the LW-2. The design was influenced by Juan de la Cierva's autogyros.

Operational history

Andy Keech set 29 world records in an LW-5 Autogyro.FAI Record ID #13113 - Speed over a closed circuit of 500 km without payload
'' Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 12 September 2014.FAI Record ID #13115 - Speed over a closed circuit of 1000 km without payload
'' Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 12 September 2014.FAI Record ID #13111 - Speed over a closed circuit without landing
'' Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 12 September 2014.FAI Record ID #9597 - Autogyro, altitude
'' Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 28 November 2013.FAI Record ID #14695 - Autogyro, distance without landing
'' Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).'' Retrieved: 28 November 2013.

Variants

;LW-1 :Original proof of concept prototype ;LW-2 :Single place autogyro designed to weigh less than to meet US

FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft as defined by all other countries. In the United States, ultralights are described as "ultralight vehicles" and not as aircraft. They are not req ...

regulations ;LW-3 :A covered version ;LW-4 : A two place long frame version ;LW-5 :A two place short frame version ; Roto-Pup :Ultralight version based on the

Preceptor Ultra Pup The Preceptor N3 Pup is a family of ultralight, tube-and-fabric, high-wing, homebuilt aircraft. Kits were produced and marketed by Preceptor Aircraft, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina.Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide ...

airframe.Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 326. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.

Aircraft on display

Little Wing LW-5 The Little Wing Autogyro is a series of conventional one and two place autogyros with a tractor engine layout using modern engines and produced by Little Wing Autogyros, Inc. of Mayflower, Arkansas.Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's ...

EAA Airventure Museum The EAA Aviation Museum, formerly the EAA AirVenture Museum (or Air Adventure Museum), is a museum dedicated to the preservation and display of historic and experimental aircraft as well as antiques, classics, and warbirds. The museum is lo ...

in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Specifications (LW-2)

References

External links

* {{Little Wing Autogyro aircraft Little Wing aircraft Single-engined tractor autogyros Homebuilt aircraft