Photograph:
GT Gyroplanes Kruza G-762 at Temora, NSW in April 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat sport gyrocopter
Power Plant:
One 128 kw (165 hp) Subaru EJ25 SOHC four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Length: 4.6 m (15 ft)
- Width: 2.25 m (7 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 1 in)
- Rotor diameter: 8.8 m (29 ft)
- Max speed: 167 km/h 104 mph)
- Cruising speed: 139 km/h (86 mph)
- Rate of climb: 229 m/min (750 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 130 litres (28.6 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg 1,323 lb
History:
GT Gyroplanes of Moama, NSW was formed by Geoffrey and Alistair Morrison, who for many years had been involved in maintaining and re-building fixed wing aircraft and helicopters in the Central Otago area of New Zealand. They then built the prototype of a gyrocopter known as the Kruza to meet their needs, this being registered G-800. Their parameters were to produce a ‘safe, reliable and easy to fly machine which would be able to operate from un-made airstrips’. It had a fully enclosed cockpit but the cockpit doors could be removed in hot weather.
The gyroplane entered production at Echuca, VIC, seated two, was said to be reliable and easy to fly, and had a four-hours endurance for cross-country flying. It had an aircraft grade aluminium box-section chassis, bolted and riveted together, to which were attached the cabin, engine, undercarriage and tail assembly. The cockpit was of composite construction and was designed around two Monza Rally car seats. A stainless steel fire wall was fitted between the cabin and the fuel tank / engine compartment.
Power was provided by the Subaru EJ 25 single over-head cam engine coupled to an Autoflight propeller speed reduction unit with an electric starter driving a 1.82 m (6 ft) diameter three-blade composite wide-chord propeller. The main rotor was 8.8 m (29 ft) in diameter and was of composite construction, but AK aluminium blades could also be fitted.
The engine radiator was installed above the engine with an air-scoop above the cabin to prevent damage from stones and blockage by grass. The undercarriage was of fibreglass construction and the wheels were fitted with toe-operated disc brakes.
Further development of the type led to the installation of a 104 kw (140 hp) Rotax 914 turbocharged engine in the type as an option.
A number of Kruzas have been registered with the Australian Gyrocopter Federation, including G-762, G-800, G-802, and G-806.