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{{Short description|Unpowered rotary wing aircraft or kite}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}


[[File:FA-330 Bachstelze2.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[Focke-Achgelis Fa 330]] rotor kite]]
[[File:FA-330 Bachstelze2.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[Focke-Achgelis Fa 330]] rotor kite]]


A '''rotor kite''' or '''gyrokite''' is an unpowered, [[rotorcraft|rotary-wing aircraft]]. Like an [[autogyro]] or [[helicopter]], it relies on [[lift (force)|lift]] created by one or more sets of [[helicopter rotor|rotors]] in order to fly. Unlike a helicopter, girokites and rotor kites do not have an engine powering their rotors, but while an autogiro has an engine providing forward thrust that keeps the rotor turning, a rotor kite has no engine at all, and relies on either being carried aloft and dropped from another aircraft, or by being towed into the air behind a car or boat or by use of ambient winds for the kiting. As of 2009, no country in the world requires a license to pilot such a craft.
A '''rotor kite''' or '''gyrokite''' is an unpowered, [[rotorcraft|rotary-wing aircraft]]. Like an [[autogyro]] or [[helicopter]], it relies on [[lift (force)|lift]] created by one or more sets of [[helicopter rotor|rotors]] in order to fly. Unlike a helicopter, gyrokites and rotor kites do not have an engine powering their rotors, but while an autogyro has an engine providing forward thrust that keeps the rotor turning, a rotor kite has no engine at all, and relies on either being carried aloft and dropped from another aircraft, or by being towed into the air behind a car or boat or by use of ambient winds for the kiting. As of 2009, no country in the world requires a license to pilot such a craft.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}


== History ==
== History ==
* Thomas Ansboro of [[Glasgow, Scotland]] patented an autorotating-winged rotor kite in 1891.<ref>[https://patents.google.com/patent/US464412 Patent US464412]</ref>
* 1909: Filed: Apr 22, 1909. [http://www.google.com.mx/patents/US966143 US966143] by Walter Van Wie for ''Revolving Kite''.
* Walter Van Wie filed a patent for a ''Revolving Kite'' in 1909 claiming "certain new and useful Improvements" in revolving kites" <ref>[http://www.google.com.mx/patents/US966143 US966143]</ref>
⚫
* 1933: Filed: July 11, 1933. [https://www.google.com/patents/US2074327 US2074327] by De Courcy and Schwarz for''Kite''.
* 1936: Filed: Aug 1, 1936. [https://www.google.com/patents/US2181477 US2181477] by Carl B. Chupp for ''Aerial Device''.
* 1933: Filed: July 11, 1933. [https://patents.google.com/patent/US2074327 US2074327] by De Courcy and Schwarz for ''Kite''.
⚫
* 1936: Filed: Aug 1, 1936. [https://patents.google.com/patent/US2181477 US2181477] by Carl B. Chupp for ''Aerial Device''.
Research into rotor kites or gyrokites was deepened during World War II, and one type in particular, the [[Focke Achgelis Fa 330]], reached active service, being towed behind German [[U-boat]]s as an aerial observation platform. In the United Kingdom, [[Raoul Hafner]] designed the [[Rotachute]] as a means of deploying [[paratroop]]s, and a larger version, the [[Hafner Rotabuggy|Rotabuggy]], was trialled as a means of air-dropping a [[Willys MB|jeep]], but neither of these aircraft progressed past the experimental stage. Plans to similarly equip a tank never left the drawing board.
Research into rotor kites or gyrokites was deepened during [[World War II]], and one type in particular, the [[Focke Achgelis Fa 330]], reached active service, being towed behind German [[U-boat]]s as an aerial observation platform. In the United Kingdom, [[Raoul Hafner]] designed the [[Rotachute]] as a means of deploying [[paratroop]]s, and a larger version, the [[Hafner Rotabuggy|Rotabuggy]], was trialled as a means of air-dropping a [[Willys MB|jeep]], but neither of these aircraft progressed past the experimental stage. Plans to similarly equip a tank never left the drawing board.


During the 1950s, rotor kites were developed as recreational aircraft, largely due to the efforts of Dr. [[Igor Bensen]] in the United States, whose [[Bensen Aircraft Corporation]] produced a series of such aircraft, dubbed "gyrogliders" by Bensen. These were marketed as plans or kits for building at home, beginning with the [[Bensen B-5|B-5]] and culminating with the [[Bensen B-8|B-8]] by the end of the decade. The Bensen designs became so ubiquitous that the term "gyroglider" is sometimes used to refer to any rotor kite, regardless of manufacturer. In the 1960s, a B-8 gyroglider was evaluated by the [[United States Air Force]] as a "Discretionary Descent Vehicle", to provide a more controllable alternative than a parachute for a pilot ejecting from a stricken aircraft.
During the 1950s, rotor kites were developed as recreational aircraft, largely due to the efforts of Dr. [[Igor Bensen]] in the United States, whose [[Bensen Aircraft Corporation]] produced a series of such aircraft, dubbed "gyrogliders" by Bensen. These were marketed as plans or kits for building at home, beginning with the [[Bensen B-5|B-5]] and culminating with the [[Bensen B-8|B-8]] by the end of the decade. The Bensen designs became so ubiquitous that the term "gyroglider" is sometimes used to refer to any rotor kite, regardless of manufacturer. In the 1960s, a B-8 gyroglider was evaluated by the [[United States Air Force]] as a "Discretionary Descent Vehicle", to provide a more controllable alternative than a parachute for a pilot ejecting from a stricken aircraft.


==Rotor kites==
==Manned rotor kites==
*[[Bensen Aircraft Corporation]]
*[[Bensen Aircraft Corporation]]
**[[Bensen B-5]]
**[[Bensen B-5]]
**[[Bensen B-6]]
**[[Bensen B-6]]
**[[Bensen B-7]]
**[[Bensen B-7]]
** A person from Russia named Shumeyko built and flew a gyro hang glider in the 1990s.<ref>Gyro Hang Glider Tow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JrT8bKQB0A</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotaryforum.com/threads/shumeiko-gyro-hang-glider.40592/|title = Shumeiko gyro hang glider| date=21 December 2013 }}</ref>
** Stephan Nitsch designed and built a manned rotor kite hang glider; he used the term "Autogiro" for the rotor kite hang glider.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jumpnfly.de.vu/ |title=Stephan Nitsch - 23.06.1956 - 09.08.2008 |website=www.jumpnfly.de.vu |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220021214/http://www.jumpnfly.de.vu/ |archive-date=20 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Focke-Achgelis Fa 330]]
* [[Hafner Rotachute]]
* [[Hafner Rotabuggy]]

==Unmanned rotor-kites==
* Sky Chopper
* [http://skywindpower.com/#files_WWO__homepage_36_0 Sky Windpower]


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Kite types]]
*[[Kite types]]

==References==
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.kate.aviators.net/gyro12.htm Explanation of Gyrogliders]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080828184002/http://www.kate.aviators.net/gyro12.htm Explanation of Gyrogliders]
* [http://www.vortechonline.com/bensen/ Bensen Gyrogliders]
* [http://www.vortechonline.com/bensen/ Bensen Gyrogliders]
* [http://www.bensenaircraft.org Bensen Aircraft Organization]
* [http://www.bensenaircraft.org Bensen Aircraft Organization]

Latest revision as of 23:00, 30 October 2024

A Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 rotor kite

A rotor kite or gyrokite is an unpowered, rotary-wing aircraft. Like an autogyro or helicopter, it relies on lift created by one or more sets of rotors in order to fly. Unlike a helicopter, gyrokites and rotor kites do not have an engine powering their rotors, but while an autogyro has an engine providing forward thrust that keeps the rotor turning, a rotor kite has no engine at all, and relies on either being carried aloft and dropped from another aircraft, or by being towed into the air behind a car or boat or by use of ambient winds for the kiting. As of 2009, no country in the world requires a license to pilot such a craft.[citation needed]

History

[edit]
  • Thomas Ansboro of Glasgow, Scotland patented an autorotating-winged rotor kite in 1891.[1]
  • Walter Van Wie filed a patent for a Revolving Kite in 1909 claiming "certain new and useful Improvements" in revolving kites" [2]
  • 1933: Filed: July 11, 1933. US2074327 by De Courcy and Schwarz for Kite.
  • 1936: Filed: Aug 1, 1936. US2181477 by Carl B. Chupp for Aerial Device.

Research into rotor kites or gyrokites was deepened during World War II, and one type in particular, the Focke Achgelis Fa 330, reached active service, being towed behind German U-boats as an aerial observation platform. In the United Kingdom, Raoul Hafner designed the Rotachute as a means of deploying paratroops, and a larger version, the Rotabuggy, was trialled as a means of air-dropping a jeep, but neither of these aircraft progressed past the experimental stage. Plans to similarly equip a tank never left the drawing board.

During the 1950s, rotor kites were developed as recreational aircraft, largely due to the efforts of Dr. Igor Bensen in the United States, whose Bensen Aircraft Corporation produced a series of such aircraft, dubbed "gyrogliders" by Bensen. These were marketed as plans or kits for building at home, beginning with the B-5 and culminating with the B-8 by the end of the decade. The Bensen designs became so ubiquitous that the term "gyroglider" is sometimes used to refer to any rotor kite, regardless of manufacturer. In the 1960s, a B-8 gyroglider was evaluated by the United States Air Force as a "Discretionary Descent Vehicle", to provide a more controllable alternative than a parachute for a pilot ejecting from a stricken aircraft.

Manned rotor kites

[edit]

Unmanned rotor-kites

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Patent US464412
  2. ^ US966143
  3. ^ Gyro Hang Glider Tow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JrT8bKQB0A
  4. ^ "Shumeiko gyro hang glider". 21 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Stephan Nitsch - 23.06.1956 - 09.08.2008". www.jumpnfly.de.vu. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
[edit]
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