Aerospace

CAA issues type certificate for new gyroplane

Posted 15 April 2015

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had today issued a type certificate for the Rotorsport Cavalon Pro, which will now allow each of these gyroplanes to have a Certificates of Airworthiness (CofA), rather than a Permit to Fly, if the owner so chooses.

This brings the benefit of aircraft on ‘CofAs’ being able to be used for commercial operations.

The move follows a regulatory change earlier in the year allowing type-certificated, factory-built non-EASA gyroplanes to qualify for CofAs rather than permits. The decision is part of the CAA’s overall GA strategy to create a vibrant GA sector, which will potentially open new markets for sales and operations.

The type certificate was presented to Rotorsport's Managing Director, Gerry Speich, by Tony Rapson, Head of the CAA’s General Aviation Unit at the AERO 2015 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany (Europe’s biggest annual general aviation event).

The CAA welcomes similar applications from other manufacturers if their gyroplanes meet the revised requirements.

Tony Rapson said: “We're very pleased to issue this type certificate to Rotorsport UK Ltd. A little over a year since the launch of the General Aviation Unit within the CAA industry is seeing the benefits through the development of a more proportionate set of airworthiness and flight operations rules. We will continue doing all we can to ensure the UK GA sector is given every opportunity to succeed.”

Gerry Speich said: "It is testament to the teamwork between RotorSport, AutoGyro (who manufacture the aircraft) and the UK CAA that it has been possible to establish the airworthiness requirements for a certified gyroplane, and then to demonstrate compliance for the Cavalon Pro. Certification recognises a higher degree of safety, quality and reliability for operators as well as reducing insurance risk and enabling fleet financing.

“This certification represents years of development, and demonstrates that gyroplanes are serious, useful aircraft that can now take their rightful place in the aviation industry, flying by day or night VFR and with the low fuel burn and lower noise than other rotary aircraft, gyroplanes offer a green alternative not currently available elsewhere. I am absolutely delighted that a new era for gyroplanes has begun.”