Windryder Gyrocopter

The modern-day gyroplane was developed by Dr. Igor Bensen, a Russian immigrant and engineer. Dr. Bensen designed a line of gyroplanes beginning in the early 1950’s, beginning with his model B-5, and introducing his model B-8 sometime later. Interestingly, the B-8 was tested by the United States Air Force beginning in 1968 under the Discretionary Decent Vehicle Program. The idea was to incorporate a small gyroplane into a military aircraft instead of an ejection seat, allowing for more control for the pilot after ejecting from the aircraft. While the idea never panned out, modern day gyroplanes continue on in similar roles, used by military and law enforcement personnel worldwide due to its lower cost to operate than similar vehicles such as helicopters.

The Museum’s Windryder Gyroplane was manufactured on July 1, 1986 in Broomfield, Colorado, and was the prototype for the first Windryder planes that were built. The aircraft was the winner of the “best new rotorcraft” at the Experimental Aircraft Associations (EAA) annual convention and fly-in in 1987 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft was also featured on the cover of “Popular Mechanics” magazine in November 1988. The Gyroplane was then purchased by Kent Okeson of Snohomish, Washington, who flew the gyroplane extensively before donating the aircraft to the Tillamook Air Museum in November 2017.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type                    Gyroplane

Weight                  435 lbs.

Rotor diameter   28 ft. 0 in.

Length                  12 ft. 10 in.

Height                   7 ft. 6 in.

Power                   One Rotax 65 hp 2-cylinder liquid-cooled 532 engine

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Speed               115 mph

Cruise Speed                       90 mph

Rate of Climb                     1,000 feet per minute

Service Ceiling                  10,000 ft.