Photograph:
Magni M-16 Tandem Trainer ZK-PNL (c/n VPM16UK110) (NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Two-seat training and sporting gyrocopter
Power Plant:
One 86 kw (115 hp) Rotax 914 turbocharged four-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine
Specifications:
- Rotor diameter: 8.53 m (28 ft)
- Length: 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in
- Propeller diameter: 1.7 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Overall height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
- Max speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
- Cruising speed: 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Absolute ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
- Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,400 ft)
- Take-off roll: 70 m (230 ft)
- Landing roll: 30 m (100 ft)
- Rate of climb: 290 m/min (950 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 72 litres (15.8 Imp gals)
- Endurance: 3.4 hrs
- Range: 482 km (300 miles)
- Empty weight: 270 kg (595 lb)
- Useful load: 280 kg (617 lb)
- Loaded weight: 550 kg (1,212 lb
History:
The M-16 series was one of a series of gyrocopters produced in Italy by Magni and is aimed at the training market for gyrocopters, the machine being longer and wider in the cockpit area, having a larger windscreen, an optional removable rear seat windscreen, a larger instrument panel, standard electric trim, pre-rotator, rotor brake, wheel brakes, landing lights and wheel pants.
It was available with two engines, the 86 kw (115 hp) Rotax 914 turbocharged unit, or the 80 kw (100 hp) 912 ULS unit with carburettor heat. It was described by the distributor as affording many ways to share and enjoy the passion of un-restrained gyroplane freedom. “The tandem configuration affords efficient and effective training”. The M-16 was equipped for the utility role, being operated as an agricultural crop sprayer, having Micronair atomizers and a 150 litre (33 Imp gals) tank.
Examples have been sold around the world, in Africa it being used for, amongst other things, tourist flights. A number have been registered in Australia and New Zealand for training and touring purposes, two in New Zealand as the VPM M-16 Tandem Trainer, these being ZK-PNL (c/n VPM16UK110) and ZK-VPM (c/n VPM16UK114); others as Magni M-16s being ZK-RAM (c/n 16-08-4904), ZK-RCA (c/n 16-063414) and ZK-RCR (c/n 16-032344); and a number in Australia, including G-1821.