Gyroplane Rotor Head

I used to fly and instruct in gyrogliders (gyroplanes towed behind a car). As an instructor I always found it difficult to teach rotor craft theory as it is quite abstract. I eventually rigged together out of rivets, balsa, glue and washers a primitive model gyro with teetering rotors which worked well enough but have finally gotten around to making a system in the 3D printer which I plan to use with my science students. I have also made a rotor profile sanding block from an N8H12 profile which allows you to sand the rotors into a consistent profile.

In your science classes you can bolt on different rotors lengths (sanded out of balsa wood), different chord (width) rotors and different profiles I have 3 I'm taking from proper rotor designs of autogyros. I will eventually add a rotor hub design which can change pitch also. If using for teaching I suggest obviously windy conditions, eyeglasses, and measuring lift with spring scales.

The head is designed to slide over wooden dowel, I'm just gluing in. I have made the shaft to suit the inside diameter of most of the fidget spinner bearings and the OD to suit it as well, you may need a light sanding to get a snug fit. I printed the shaft as a temporary measure out of ABS, it works but you'd probably be better off with a bolt but you'll need to drill a hole in the end.

This model works really well in a breeze above about 8 mph, and in strong winds and it will produce over a kg of lift I've had briefly almost 2kg.

You have to give the a good flick to get them spinning in moderate winds, and they'll spin up quickly hold them at 90 degrees to the wind direction. In really strong winds you need to tilt them forward at a shallow angle to the wind until they pick up speed then tilt them back into the wind.

Hope all this helps