AUTO GYRO Rotax 916 IS Pilot Operating Handbook page 172

Pilot Operating Handbook
MTOsport Model 2017 SECTION 10
915iS & 916iS SAFETY TIPS
Loss of Visibility can be Extremely Dangerous
Flying any aircraft in obscured visibility due to fog, snow, low ceiling, or even a dark night can
be hazardous. Gyroplanes have less inherent stability and faster roll and pitch rates than most
airplanes. Loss of the pilot's outside visual references can result in disorientation, wrong
control inputs, and an uncontrolled crash. This type of situation is likely to occur when a pilot
attempts to fly through a partially obscured area and realizes too late that that visibility is lost.
Control of the gyroplane could be lost when attempting a turn to regain visibility without visual
references.
You must take corrective action before visibility is lost! Remember, a precautionary landing
will always be safer than a flight with impaired or no visibility.
Overconfidence Prevails in Accidents
A personal trait most often found in pilots having serious accidents is overconfidence. High-
time fixed-wing pilots converting to gyroplanes and private owners are particularly
susceptible. Airplane pilots feel confident and relaxed in the air, but have not yet developed
the control feel, coordination, and sensitivity demanded by a gyroplane. Private owners must
depend on self-discipline, which is sometimes forgotten. When flown properly and
conservatively, gyroplanes are potentially the safest aircraft built. But especially gyroplanes
also allow little tolerance when flown to their limits. Gyroplanes must always be flown
defensively.
Flying Low over Water is Very Hazardous
Accidents repeatedly occur while manoeuvring low over water. Many pilots do not realize their
loss of depth perception when flying over water. Flying over calm glassy water is particularly
dangerous, but even choppy water, with its constantly varying surface, interferes with normal
depth perception and may cause a pilot to misjudge his height above the water.
MAINTAIN SAFETY ALTITUDE AT ALL TIMES
Conversion Pilots Constitute High Risk When Flying Gyroplanes
There have been a number of serious accidents involving experienced pilots who have many
hours in airplanes or helicopters but with only limited experience flying gyroplanes.
The ingrained reactions and habits of an experienced airplane pilot can be a serious
disadvantage when flying a gyroplane. The airplane pilot may fly the gyroplane well when
doing normal manoeuvres under ordinary conditions when there is time to think about the
proper control response. But when required to react suddenly under unexpected
circumstances, the pilot may revert to their airplane reactions and commit a serious error.
Under those conditions, his hands and feet move purely by reaction without conscious
thought. Those reactions may well be based on his greater experience, i.e., the reactions
developed flying airplanes.
For example, in an airplane the reaction to an engine failure would be to immediately and
considerably go forward with the stick or horn. In a gyroplane, application of excessive forward
stick movement could result in a low-G situation or, if the engine failure occurred during initial
climb, a reduction of rotor RPM combined with a high sink rate with the consequence of a
hard landing or impact.
Revision 2.0 – Issue Date 01.04.2024
AutoGyro_POH_MTOsport-Model2017 10-3
915/916iS