Gyrocopter school

Become a gyroplane pilot!

Learn how to fly a gyro (gyroplane / gyrocopter)

You need complete practical and theoretical flight training by certified professional instructors for gyroplane / gyrocopter flying.

A gyrocopter or gyroplane is not a well-known aircraft in Canada, but it is flown a lot in Europe. The gyrocopter is a hybrid between a helicopter and an airplane. The lifting force is provided by a non-powered free rotating wing or blade, but its power comes from a regular propeller like an airplane. The gyro has very interesting flight characteristics. A gyroplane can fly fast and land on a very short distance.

The course structure to learn to fly a gyroplane / gyrocopter is similar to a conventional pilot course and requires a significant amount of time. However, this aircraft is much easier to fly than a conventional helicopter and the cost is very much lower which make this type of flight a lot more accessible than helicopter flying.

To obtain a gyroplane or gyrocopter pilot license, you need to fly 45 hours of which 12 hours are in solo flight and you must accomplish 30 take-offs and landings. The future pilot must also attend a 40-hour theory class, pass a written exam set by Transport Canada, obtain a category 3 medical certificate and get a recommendation from his flight instructor. Your instructor will give you all the information you need on the training plan. If you want to know more, visit Transport Canada web site.

Here are the requirements from Transport Canada.

IMPORTANT: This is for information only. Always check the latest info from the officials sources.

DIVISION IV  - PILOT PERMITS

421.20 Gyroplane - Requirements

(1) Age

An applicant shall be a minimum of seventeen years of age.

(2) Medical Fitness and Validity

(a) An applicant shall hold a Category 3 Medical Certificate valid for a Pilot Permit - Gyroplane.

(b) The medical validity period for the permit holder under 40 years of age is 24 months and for a permit holder 40 years of age or over, is 12 months.

(c) The permit is maintained by a valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate.

(3) Knowledge

An applicant shall have:

(a) completed a minimum of 40 hours gyroplane pilot ground school instruction on the following subjects:

(i) Canadian Aviation Regulations,

(ii) Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight,

(iii) Meteorology,

(iv) Airframes, Engines and Systems,

(v) Flight Instruments,

(vi) Radio and Electronic Theory,

(vii) Navigation,

(viii) Flight Operations,

(ix) Licensing Requirements, and

(x) Human Factors, including pilot decision-making; and

(b) obtained a minimum of 60% on the written examination Pilot Permit - Gyroplane (GYROP).

(4) Experience

(a) An applicant shall have completed a minimum of 45 hours pilot flight training in gyroplanes under the direction and supervision of the holder of a flight instructor rating-gyroplane.

(b) The flight training shall include a minimum of:

(i) Two or More Seats

(A) 12 hours dual instruction flight time including 2 hours cross-country flight time, and

(B) 12 hours solo flight time including 3 hours cross-country flight time with a flight of a minimum of 60 nautical miles which shall include 2 full stop landings at points other than the point of departure.

(ii) Single Seat

Where an applicant is completing training in a single seat gyroplane the 45 hours pilot flight time in gyroplanes, of which 15 hours may be in towed flight, shall include 3 hours cross-country flight time with a flight of a minimum of 60 nautical miles which shall include 2 full stop landings at points other than the point of departure.

(5) Skill

(a) Within the 12 month preceding the date of application for the permit, an applicant shall demonstrate in flight and on the ground to the holder of a Flight Instructor Rating - Gyroplane familiarity with, and the ability to perform both normal and emergency manoeuvres appropriate to the gyroplane used in the test, and with a degree of competency appropriate to that of the holder of a Pilot Permit - Gyroplane.
(amended 1999/03/01

(b) Where an applicant undertakes flight training and a flight test in a single-seat gyroplane, the flight test may be observed from another aircraft or the ground.

(6) Credits

(a) Knowledge

An applicant who holds a private or higher type pilot licence for aeroplanes or helicopters shall, when applying for the issue of a Pilot Permit - Gyroplane, have the 40 hour ground school instruction requirement reduced to 20 hours.

(b) Experience

(i) The total flight time must include a minimum of 30 hours in gyroplanes.

(ii) Where an applicant holds a pilot licence in another aircraft category flight time credits shall be claimed as follows:

(A) Aeroplane and Helicopter

(I) a maximum of 15 hours towards the total flight time; and

(II) a maximum of 4 hours solo flight time, 2 hours of which shall be credited to solo cross-country flight time.

(B) Glider

A maximum of 5 hours pilot-in-command flight time towards the total flight time.

(7) Credits for DND Applicants

(a) Knowledge
(amended 2005/12/01;

Active and former Canadian Forces personnel who have qualified to pilot helicopter wings standard upon application for the issue of a Pilot Permit - Gyroplane, shall:
(amended 2005/12/01;

(i) meet the 40 hours ground school instruction requirement by completing only 20 hours of these requirements, and
(amended 2005/12/01;

(ii) be considered to have met the written examination requirement provided that the applicant obtains a minimum of 90% in the written examination Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations (PSTAR),
(amended 2005/12/01;

 

(b) Experience
(amended 2005/12/01;

(i) active and former Canadian Forces personnel who have qualified to pilot helicopter wings standard may claim credits towards the experience requirements as follows:
(amended 2005/12/01;

(A) a maximum of 15 hours towards the total flight time,

(B) a maximum of 4 hours solo flight time, 2 hours of which shall be credited to solo cross-country flight time, and

(C) the total flight time must include a minimum of 30 hours in gyroplanes.

(8) Credits for Foreign Applicants

The holder of a permit or licence, in the gyroplane category, issued by a Contracting State shall be deemed to have met the ground school instruction requirement, the written examination requirement and the skill requirement provided that the applicant:

(a) meets the experience requirements;

(b) obtains a minimum of 90% in the written examination Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations (PSTAR); and

(c) has completed in gyroplanes a minimum of 5 take-offs and landings within the 6 months preceding the date of application for the Canadian licence.

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