Aircraft

Argon GTL 915 iS could be the gyroplane you didn't know you wanted

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The Argon GTL 915 iS will cost buyers approximately $148,557 to $191,000
Manufaktura Lotnicza
The Argon GTL 915 iS will cost buyers approximately $148,557 to $191,000
Manufaktura Lotnicza
The 2-seater Argon GTL 915 iS features a carbon fiber/Kevlar composite hull
Manufaktura Lotnicza
The Argon GTL 915 iS takes off at a speed of 75 km/h (47 mph)
Manufaktura Lotnicza
Piloting the Argon GTL 915 iS is made a bit easier by an included Garmin GX3 3-axis autopilot
Manufaktura Lotnicza
A carbon fiber cabin is available as an optional extra
Manufaktura Lotnicza
The Argon GTL 915 iS is piloted via a control stick and pedals
Manufaktura Lotnicza
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Although gyroplanes (aka gyrocopters) were once bare-bones open-cockpit contraptions, we're seeing an increasing number of more deluxe, fully enclosed, higher-performance models. The Argon GTL 915 iS is one of the latest – and certainly one of the sharpest-looking – to hit the market.

First of all, just what is a gyroplane? Well, it's a small aircraft that has a powered propeller in the rear, along with a non-powered set of rotor blades on top.

As the prop pushes the plane forward, air passes through the rotor blades, causing them to spin and produce lift. It's sort of like a cross between a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane.

Among the selling points of gyroplanes are the facts that they're relatively easy to pilot, they can take off and land on very short runways, they remain stable even when flying at low speeds, and because they're small and essentially wingless, they take up little storage space.

The Argon GTL 915 iS takes off at a speed of 75 km/h (47 mph)
Manufaktura Lotnicza

Built by Polish aviation firm Manufaktura Lotnicza, the 2-seater Argon GTL 915 iS features a carbon fiber/Kevlar composite hull, a 141-hp Rotax engine, a practical ceiling (maximum altitude) of 23,000 ft (7,010 m), and a cruising speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). It runs on either regular or aviation gasoline, 120 liters (32 gal) of which is stored in two integrated 60-l fuel tanks.

External tanks can be added as a range-boosting optional extra. A company representative tells us that the aircraft burns gas at a rate of 18 to 25 liters per hour, depending on how much weight it's carrying ... so, it could conceivably fly for up to six hours on one fill.

Speaking of weight, the Argon reportedly tips the scales at 305 kg (672 lb), and can heft up to 295 kg (650 lb) in passengers/cargo. Its luggage compartment is claimed to be large enough to accommodate items such as golf clubs, skis, foldable bikes or full-size suitcases.

Piloting the Argon GTL 915 iS is made a bit easier by an included Garmin GX3 3-axis autopilot
Manufaktura Lotnicza

The Argon GTL 915 iS is available by individual order, via the company website. We're told that depending on configuration, buyers should expect to pay between 140,000 and 180,000 euros (about US$148,557 to $191,000).

It can be seen in action, in the video below.

Source: Manufaktura Lotnicza

View gallery - 6 images
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22 comments
DavidB
Seven minutes’ worth of video, but they couldn’t show either a takeoff or a landing?

That leaves me wondering what it is that they didn’t want us to see…
guzmanchinky
Very cool. I'm a pilot but I've never flown one of these. If I spent that kind of money I think I'd wait for an EVTOL (even if it doesn't have the range, which I don't need)...
vince
It's not electric so it's garbage.
Steven Clarkson
@Guzman i agree
Gyroplanes are outdated retro mechanical devices.
Take off at 80 km/h seems high.
I'd definately rather go with an EVTOL furthermore EVTOLS are stall proof and dont need a runway.
Oirinth
Older model not GTS 915 from Jan 21, take off video https://youtu.be/QY5DXq7P334?t=172
Tommo
Nice concept (I fly helicopters so am biased a little) but that ROTAX engine puts me right off - there's some horror stories out there about engines failing at critical times.
Tord Eriksson
There is no inherent reason that an autogyro should have a pusher propeller, the early ones definitely did not have that! Many used Avro 504K fuselages, with the original engine up front and a conventional tail.

Sadly, the chance of a fatal mishap with an autogyro is far higher than with a conventional aircraft (flying VFR). The drag of the rotating rotor is immense during take-off (which also is the reason it can take off after just a short ground roll). A Super-Cub, with slats, and a hefty engine, outperforms any autogyro during take-off costing the same, and will give its owner better fuel economy, better climb rate, produce less noise, and cheaper insurance.
schmoe90
A couple of notes. Gyroplanes are short landing, but definitely not short takeoff - a STOL plane will get off the ground much quicker. They also don't take off at a given airspeed like a fixed wing - there's a combination of air speed and rotor speed, so you basically just set everything up and it'll take off when it wants to. There have been numerous crashes where fixed wing pilots have pulled them into the air without sufficient rotor speed.
michael_dowling
DavidB: Yes,I was wondering the same thing. There seems to be less of the usual vibration in flight,unlike other gyrocopters.
michael_dowling
guzmanchinky: Gyros can take off vertically,at least some of them. No need for fancy electric motors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RPYWmdv174