1. I am not responsible for any damage or injuries that may result from the use of this information. I strongly recommend consult a certified gyroplane flight instructor to field all your questions
2. What not to do
2.1. 1. Zero/Negative G
2.2. 2. PIO (Pilot Induced Oscillation)
2.3. 3. Bunt Over and PPO (Power Push Over)
2.4. 4. PTO (Power Torque Over)
2.5. 5. Stress the gyro
2.5.1. Rough handling
2.5.2. Flight outside the certified flight envelope
2.6. 6. Engine failure
2.6.1. No fuel
2.6.1.1. Running out of fuel
2.6.1.2. Fuel line blockage
2.6.1.3. Brittle fuel sight tube becoming detached in flight
2.6.2. Over unfriendly terrain
2.6.2.1. Not trained by a qualified flight instructor for power off landing
2.6.2.2. Not trained (in theory) about how to land over trees or water
2.6.2.3. Don`t know the best aircraft Glide Ratio.
2.6.2.4. Failure to consider, evaluate and identify emergency landing areas
2.7. 7. Inadequate in-flight decision
2.7.1. Flight behind drag curve
2.7.2. Flaring too soon
2.7.3. Overnight flight
2.7.4. To land on the uneven terrain
2.7.4.1. a beach that looked like hard sand but was actually soft sand
2.7.5. FW disregard for right of way during landing
2.7.5.1. Ignore radio calls
2.7.5.2. Distraction
2.7.6. Try to impress someone (audience, friends...)
2.7.7. Take-off
2.7.7.1. Poor rotor management in take-off run / spin up
2.7.7.2. Take-off with high speed pre-rotator engaged
2.8. 8. Inadequate preflight decision
2.8.1. Poor weather decisions
2.8.2. No preflight inspections or checklist
2.8.3. Ignore MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight)
2.8.4. Improper use of your own skeleton for the purpose of testing when you have cheaper alternatives
2.8.4.1. Wind tunnel testing
2.8.4.2. Computer calculation and simulation
2.8.4.3. Radio controlled gyro-copter
2.8.4.4. A brave pilot, a parachute for himself and another for gyrocopter.
2.9. 9. Objects or birds hitting
2.9.1. Wire strike
2.9.1.1. Power lines you Cannott see
2.9.1.2. Distraction and low flight
2.9.2. The belt helmet(s) not fasten or properly fasten
2.9.3. The blades
2.9.3.1. Tools left on the engine going throught the propellers
2.9.3.2. Hit objects on taxiing, takeoff or landing
2.9.3.2.1. Hit Trees
2.9.3.2.2. Hit souls who walk into spinning propellers
2.9.3.3. Bird strikes
2.9.3.4. Hail
2.9.4. Ground Resonance
2.10. 10. Velocity and change of wind
2.10.1. Flying fast down wind refering to ground speed not airspeed
2.10.2. Flying in wind conditions above pilot's level of experience
2.10.3. Heavy head winds suddenly shifting to 90º cross winds during attempted landing
2.10.4. Heavy winds rolling off tree tops can create rolling horizontal "tubes", creating localized micro bursts of quickly alternating up and down drafts, or shears, which may disappear as quickly as they form - like horizontal dirt devils.
2.10.5. Manoeuvring at low level with a low margin of terrain clearance.
2.11. 11. Training
2.11.1. High confidence and little knowledge
2.11.2. Overconfidence
2.11.3. Poorly trained pilot
2.11.4. Pushing ahead too fast on training
2.11.5. Flying task requirements exceed pilot capabilities
2.11.6. Self training
2.11.7. Tow -training
2.12. 12. Psychological and physical issues
2.12.1. Medical issues
2.12.1.1. Stress: Am I under psychological pressure from the job? Worried about financial matters, health problems, or family discord?
2.12.1.2. Medication: Have i been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs?
2.12.1.3. Illness: Do I have any symptoms?
2.12.2. Hypothermia
2.12.3. Incorrect Eating
2.12.3.1. Am I adequately nourished?
2.12.4. Flying whilst intoxicated
2.12.4.1. Alcohol: Have I been drinking within 8 hours? Within 24 hours?
2.12.5. Too tired to fly
2.12.5.1. Fatigue: Am I tired and not adequately rested?
2.12.6. Do not take seriously Stress Management
2.12.6.1. First in Life
2.12.6.2. Second in Cockpit
2.12.7. Risky Attitudes
2.12.7.1. Anti-Authority
2.12.7.1.1. Trap: "Don`t tell me what to do."
2.12.7.1.2. Escape: Taking chances is foolish
2.12.7.2. Impulsivity
2.12.7.2.1. Trap: "Don`t think. Do it quickly"
2.12.7.2.2. Escape: Follow the rules. They are statistically right
2.12.7.3. Invulnerability
2.12.7.3.1. Trap: "I can do it. I`ll show them""
2.12.7.3.2. Escape: Don`t try to impress anyone. It could happen to you.
2.12.7.4. Resignation
2.12.7.4.1. Trap: "Shit happens"
2.12.7.4.2. Escape: I'm not helpless. I can make a difference.
2.12.8. Numerous studies indicate that many accidents have occurred when the pilot has been distracted during critical phases of flight.
2.13. 13. Build issues
2.13.1. Bad design or modification
2.13.2. No horizontal estabilizers
2.13.3. HTL leading to PIO
2.13.4. Rudder too small
2.13.5. Non castering nose wheels
2.13.6. Cabin door opening in flight
2.13.7. Other non-technical modification by non-aeronautical engineer
2.14. 14. Gyro runaway during thrust check
2.15. 15. In-flight rotor flap, leading to a rotor strike, due specifically to unloading the rotors
3. Credits
3.1. Original ideia by SKY (Ariel Devulsky) and SandL (Peter Dean)
3.2. Created, compiled and modified by SkY (Ariel Devulsky)
3.3. Bibliografy
3.3.1. All PRA forum members
3.3.2. http://bit.ly/gyroadv