Photograph:
RAF 2000 GTX SE G-0615 (c/n H2-00-11-452/ASRA1197) at Albion Park, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Two-seat gyrocopter
Power Plant:
One 97 kw (130 hp) Subaru EA-82 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Rotor diameter: 9.14 m (30 ft)
- Length overall: 4.11 m (13 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Max speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
- Cruising speed: 121 km/h (75 mph)
- Minimum flying speed: 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Range with max fuel: 382 km (225 km)
- Endurance: 3 hours
- Fuel capacity: 87 litres (19 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 331 kg (730 lb)
- Loaded weight: 698 kg (1,540 lb)
History:
The 2000 series of Gyrocopters has been produced by Rotary Air Force Marketing Inc of Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada, and has been produced in a number of models, including the 1000 FT single-seater, the 2000 STD-SE basic variant, the 2000 GTX and 2000 GTX SE, all fitted with the Subaru EA-82 series of engines of 75 kw (100 hp) to 97 kw (130 hp).
The series followed conventional light gyroplane practice in having the engine driving a pusher propeller mounted behind the cabin, the rotor-head incorporating a rotor spin-up system driven through a clutch from the engine. For transportation and storage the rotor blades, which have aluminium spars and are otherwise of composite construction, could be removed and the mast folded backwards. Undercarriage was tricycle with optional spats. Accommodation was provided for a pilot and passenger side-by-side in an enclosed cabin.
Available in kit form, a number have been imported to this region, first in New Zealand being 2000 GTX ZK-RBQ (c/n NZRA/R82), followed by ZK-RAE³ (c/n H2-97-8-283), ZK-RAF (c/n 648862), ZK-RAG² (H2-95-6-160), ZK-RAK (c/n H2-95-6-159), ZK-RBQ (c/n NZRT/R82), ZK-RBK (c/n H2-94-5-132), ZK-RCG (c/n H2-97-8-290), ZK-RCO (c/n H2-97-8-303), ZK-RCS (ex G-143 in Australia), and ZK-RCW (c/n H2-97-8-285).
A number have been registered in Australia and these are mostly the 2000 GTX-SE and GTX-SE-F1 models registered with the Australian Sport Rotorcraft Association. These include: G-0055, G-0094, G-0126, G-0128, G-0136, G-0143, G-0186, G-0200, G-0228, G-0300, G-0400, G-0600, G-0615, G-0707, G-0747, G-0833 and G-1766.