Little Wing Autogyro

Development

Ron Herron was concerned about the problem of pushover fatalities in pusher gyrocopters. He set to develop a tractor layout gyrocopter that also met the FAA rules for ultralight aircraft. A Prototype LW-1 powered by a Continental O-200 engine was soon followed on by the LW-2. The design was influenced by Juan de la Cierva's autogyros.

Operational history

Andy Keech set 29 world records in an LW-5 Autogyro.

Variants

LW-1

Original proof of concept prototype

LW-2

Single place autogyro designed to weigh less than 254 lb (115 kg) to meet US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations

LW-3

A 70 hp (52 kW) covered version

LW-4

A two place long frame version

LW-5

A two place short frame version

Roto-Pup

Ultralight version based on the Preceptor Ultra Pup airframe.

Aircraft on display

Little Wing LW-5, EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Specifications (LW-2)

Data from Company

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Length: 18 ft (5.5 m)

Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)

Gross weight: 750 lb (340 kg)

Fuel capacity: 8.5 U.S. gallons (32 L; 7.1 imp gal)

Main rotor diameter: 23 ft (7.0 m)

Main rotor area: 415 sq ft (38.6 m²)

Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

Cruise speed: 65 kn; 121 km/h (75 mph)

Disk loading: 1.8 lb/sq ft (8.8 kg/m²)