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| STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 500. Empty wt. 247. Fuel capacity 6. Main rotor length 21′. Length 11’3″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 85. Cruise mph 60. Maximum climb rate 1,000. Range 100. |
There are more than 20,000 active rotorcraft fans in the United States. Originator of the sport is Bensen Aircraft Corp. With purchase of the plans and component kits, it is possible to build a machine in a few weeks of spare time with only a drill press and a few wrenches. Bensen Gyrocopters can be towed behind a car or boat or flown under their own power. Float models are also available. The simple glider models are available as one or two-seaters. The powered gyrocopters are available only with a single seat. Bensen’s Gyrocopter is capable of climbing to 12,500 feet. (It is said “for each 500 feet in altitude, the seat gets two inches narrower.”) The powerplant is a 72- to 90-hp McCulloch. Bensen Aircraft is no longer in business.
