X3 Gyroplane Uses 15 Blades to Get 253MPH [Video]

Feels like the autogyros aka gyrocopters are definitely back in fashion. After the Sikorsky X2 demonstrator , here’s the most recent one, the Eurocopter X3 . It uses twin five-blade turboprops along with its main five blade rotor.

Invented by Juan de la Cierva in 1923, the autogyro was the precursor of the fashionable helicopter. It combined a standard propeller, wings, and a vertically-powered rotor that allowed for vertical take-off and landing. It was quite successful, although it didn’t had a number of utility at the time, despite its obvious advantages over regular planes.

The concept of combining vertical and horizontal engines kept evolving, like this Fairey Rotodyne prototype XE521.

Now, companies are looking into it again, so civil and armed forces passengers could enjoy the velocity of turboprop aircraft while having the ability to land in a totally small strip of land. In keeping with the ecu company, the Eurocopter X3 can be ready to zoom at 220 knots, although the testing will only take it to 180 knots this December. If all goes well, it should reach its top mark in March 2011.

According to the company, they wanted to increase the rate of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft without significantly increasing the value. [ Eurocopter via Black Horizon via Telstar Logistics ]

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This post is tagged: fairey rotodyne, horizontal engines, juan de la cierva, landing aircraft, turboprop aircraft