Besides LSA seaplanes, one area of furious development (and sales) is gyroplanes, the term modern industry prefers to “gyrocopter,” which was actually a branded name used since the days of Igor Benson.
A new player, arriving on the scene about five years ago, is Rotorvox. Americans have not seen this aircraft but will soon get an opportunity at Sun ‘n Fun 2018 at Booth #30 in Paradise City.
Demonstration flights will occur throughout the week.
What Sets Apart Rotorvox?
Structurally, the C2A is largely carbon-fiber monocoque construction. This is notably different than the majority of smooth-looking gyroplanes. Most are steel structure with a composite pod. Rotorvox’s fuselage is also engineered to provide a protective cell for the occupants.
A few other side-by-side seating gyroplanes are on the market, including Cavalon from AutoGyro, the far and away market leader. Rotorvox’s version employs the carbon structure to provide such seating, which means it can double as a very inexpensive air ambulance.
Follow Rotorvox in USA on Facebook.
Entry is also different with a forward-hinged, three-piece canopy. Above the occupants, you see a faired pylon that supports a two-blade aluminium rotor pushed by a Rotax 914 turbocharged engine swinging a three-blade prop. As with nearly all modern gyroplanes, Rotorvox’s rotor offers hydraulic pre-rotation before takeoff.
Another big departure from most gyroplanes are flat-sided tail booms separated from the fuselage on lateral structures. Each boom supports a tapered fin and rudder with ventral fins. C2A has a short-legged, wide track tricycle undercarriage that should aid ground stability. The main gear uses trailing link main gear with elastomer shock absorption.
Rotorvox reports two prototypes were flown during five years of development before C2A deliveries began in October 2014.
Specifications
- Seating — Side by side
- Length — 18 feet fuselage; rotors 27.5 feet)
- Width — 7.24 feet
- Height — 9.3 feet
- Gross weight — 1,235 pounds
- Fuel capacity — 24 gallons
- Powerplant — Rotax 914 turbo 115 horsepower (limited duration) / 100 horsepower continuous
- Main rotor diameter — 27.5 feet, two aluminium blades with NACA 8H12 airfoil
- Propeller: 3-blade, 69 inch diameter
- Cruise speed: 90 mph / 78 knots
- Never-exceed speed: 102 mph / 89 knots
- Range: 375 statute miles / 324 nautical miles
- Endurance maximum — 6 hours
Rotorvox Aero will act as the U.S. importer and will display C2A in Lakeland from April 10–15, 2018. Tw twin-boom gyroplane was developed and produced in Germany by Rotorvox Lift Air GmbH, now a division of Lift Air in Eisenach Germany, the same company that is majority owner of the former Flight Design and its popular CT-series.
C2A’s spacious cabin with dual controls offers what the company calls “outstanding inflight visibility that has to be seen to be appreciated.” You can check this out for yourself at Sun ‘n Fun.
“We are very excited to be participating in Sun ‘n Fun this year,” said Cobus Burger, importer and distributor for the Rotorvox products in the Americas. “I went to Eisenach, Germany to fly the C2A last fall and met the folks at Rotorvox Lift Air and came away very impressed with the C2A and the people behind it. I am very pleased to be presenting this great aircraft both in Lakeland, Florida and later in the year at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh.”
C2A is sold ready-to-fly in Europe but must be sold as an Experimental Amateur Built kit in the USA. Rotorvox Aero is based near Denver, Colorado and plans to work in association with Flight Design USA in South Woodstock, Connecticut to provide an East Coast customer build assistance center.
After Sun ‘n Fun 2018, Cobus will be flying C2A to its new base of operations at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC).
I’m new to gyro. I want to learn ASAP TO FLY YOUR C2A what do you recommend for me to get started?
I live in Huron, Ohio 44839; here’s my email address: alringel@gmail.com
I am 72 years young today, 9/30/1946.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Allan: Please make contact directly with Rotorvox. Here is their contact info.
Another magnificent machine to add to the ranks. They sure have come a long way since my dad and I would press our noses against the window of Ken Brock’s little shop in Garden Grove Ca. It’s going to be very difficult to choose between Cavalon, Xenon, Magni, and now Rotovox. Maybe relative pricing will help.
Hi Guy: Yes, thank you for noting the addition of Rotorvox to the gyroplane mix. The field is certain an interesting one and I will continue to follow it. Now, if only we can get FAA to recognize these new machines are “not your father’s” gyroplane.
I have been looking for a price for the C2A Rotovox Gyroplane and have also watched the Youtube video. As far as I can tell there has not been any price mentioned for a completely-built C2A in Europe or for a Kit C2A in America. Why is this information kept a secret? Or have I just overlooked it in my haste? —Frank
Hi Frank: At the time of our article and the video, Rotorvox was brand-new in America and prices were still in planning. However, now I advise you contact Rotorvox or go to their east coast representative, Flight Design USA, which has been one of our longest-lasting LSA companies.
Dan…
Is Mr. Burger’s name “COR-bus” or “CO-bus”… you have his named spelled “COBUS” in your video but you pronounce it “CORBUS”… you have his name spelled both ways in this comment section. Which is it???
Hi Bob: His name is Cobus. I misspoke on the video and he was too polite to correct me.
I heard the same thing but after seeing how it was spelled I realized you may have just pronounced it wrong. No biggy. I do it all the time
Hi Rusty: Thanks for understanding …and for visiting ByDanJohnson.com!
Two things wrong with this article. You fail to give the empty weight so that a useful load could be determined; you did not state whether the aircraft could be delivered as an SLSA in the US and your reference to their website did not include an English version. Thank you, this was a minimally good teaser.
Larry: In the article I provided all the specifications I had. At Sun ‘n Fun we hope to do a video interview and I will inquire more deeply into these points. The article did state that you must presently buy Rotorvox as a kit due to regulations. Some change is possible in the months ahead but today, Experimental Amateur Built is the only choice you have though the U.S. rep can assist with the building and FAA allows that. The Rotorvox website has a British flag button that will change their website to English; where you find that button varies on the device used to access the website.
At Sun ‘n Fun 2018, we shot a video with Corbus Burger, the U.S. importer of Rotovox. Empty weight is 700 pounds or less depending on exactly what equipment an owner chooses. This gyroplane is very comfortable and deluxe; it has the most legroom and freedom of any light aircraft I’ve experienced.
What is the basic ball park price range for a kit — $30,000, $50,000, $100,000… you get the idea. Marcus Smith mhsmith58@ gmail.com. Very intrested.
Hi Mark: I think Rotorvox is at the high end of the gyroplane market, but here a link to the U.S. operation.