From Autogiro to Gyroplane: The Amazing Survival of an Aviation Technology (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "April 1931 saw what is undeniably the most dramatic moment in the history in America of the Autogiro, the 1923 invention of Spaniard Juan de..." (more)
Key Phrases: homebuilt rotorcraft, rotary kite, tractor autogyro, New York, United States, Popular Rotorcraft Flying (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through faculty.”–Choice

“[p]rovides an excellent reference work on the afterlife of Cierva's rotary-wing principle, especially its 26-page bibliography of books, articles and films.”–Air Power History

“Bruce Charnov has written an exceptional book, and the first to tell in detail quite extraordinary story of 80-years of autorotational flight aircraft. It should prove to be a valuable reference resource for many years to come.”–New York's Channel 4

“[S]uperbly lays out the entire and intriguing 80-year history of rotary-wing aircraft....From Autogiro to Gyroplane deftly and comprehensively examines the impacts of the Great Depression and World War II upon these motorized aircrafts, as well as the simply bad business decisions, and the lessons that the fate and persistence of the gyroplane has for other old, long lasting, yet ultimately fully functional technologies. From Autogiro to Gyroplane is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library aviation History collections.”–Internet BookWatch

“The book is a history demonstrating academic rigour while providing a good read. The literature researched and presented is exhaustive and should provide further scope for study. The bibliography and the 'Essential Library' are truly impressive.The book is impressive.”–Aerospace Professional

“It is thoroughly researched, well illustrated, and provides a wealth of references for the interested reader to follow up. The fluent writing style sets this book apart from academic peers in related fields-it is great read....This book is great piece of work.”–Members Magazine

“Bruce's book will become "the bible" for autogiro/autogyro/gyroplane historians and will see no equal for decades....[t]his book delivers to the last cent.”–Navigator

“Bruce Charnov's book is the first book to relate the full history of this remarkable mode of aerial transport. It is well-researched study that is never dull.”–Vertiflight

“[T]his is the first comprehensive historical survey embracing both the Autogiro and the gyroplane, its closest modern counterpart. It is a comprehensive, well-referenced and well-indexed volume....If you feel you need just one good book on the subject, this is surely it.”–Wingspan International, Number 22

“Bruce Charnov has written an exceptional book, and the first to tell in detail the quite extraordinary story of 80-years of autorotational flight. It should prove to be a valuable reference resource for many years to come.”–British Rotorcraft Association Members' Magazine

“Bruce Charnov's book is the first book to relate the full history of this remarkable mode of aerial transport. It is well-researched and never dull.”–International Autogyro Quarterly

“[A] great read....Bruce Charnov's enthusiasm for his topic leaps from the pages....This book is a great piece of work, may it be a huge success.”–Wisconsin Bookwatch

Product Description

This is the first book to tell the fascinating 80-year history of today's gyroplane and its antecedent, the Autogiro. Charnov explains that the near-eclipse of the Autogiro was caused by a potent combination of bad luck, the impact of the Great Depression and World War II, and egregious business decisions. Only by understanding the amazing manner in which this aviation technology has persisted and evolved can one fully understand the basis for its future.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (July 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567205038
• ISBN-13: 978-1567205039
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile if read with some skepticism, July 8, 2006

By	JPH (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

Charnov has done a creditable job of presenting a history of the Autogiro. This effort joins the small library available on the subject, the current gold standard being "Cierva Autogiros" by Peter Brooks, who in addition to his writing abilities is technically qualified to discuss the subject. Though Charnov has obviously expended much effort in gathering, sifting and organizing information on the Autogiro, his greatest weakness is his lack of technical understanding of the aircraft. For the casual reader, this deficiency is probably unnoticeable; however, since books of this type tend to attract a somewhat technically aware audience, the frequent and inaccurate use of terms and descriptions detracts from the book. The discussion of the Fairey Gyrodyne completely misses the point of what made this third type of rotorcraft (including gyroplane and helicopter) so technologically significant. Also, the title, "From Autogiro to Gyroplane," is misleading since the latter term is merely a generic definition for autorotational aircraft which automatically includes the trademarked Autogiro; the title is analogous to "From Chevrolet to Automobile."

This book's greatest failure is the implication that the Bensen Gyrocopter and its derivatives are the natural successors to the Autogiro. The Autogiro was developed, constructed, and operated by aviation professionals. This produced the outstanding safety record of the Autogiro even though each successive aircraft included significant technical or operational advances over its predecessor. This work laid the foundation for today's rotary wing aircraft industry. By contrast, the Bensen Gyrocopter and derivatives are commonly designed, constructed, and operated by rank amateurs who commonly dismiss or are completely ignorant of lessons learned during the development of the Autogiro, with the result that this type of aircraft has established an abysmal safety record. It is instructive to compare side-by-side Bensen's "Mechanics Illustrated" advertisements of the type, build it yourself, train yourself to fly it, with Cierva Autogiro Company/Pitcairn Autogiro Company advertisements which announce the availability of professional flight training in certificated aircraft.

The era of the Autogiro ended with the magnificent Fairey Rotodyne; with very few exceptions, succeeding gyroplane history is the story of amateurs.

This book contains much valuable information though it includes a significant amount of detritus.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and complete, perhaps too much so., October 7, 2005

By	Charles Hall (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is superbly researched and seems to include every scrap of autogiro history from the beginning right up through the ultra-lights of the present day. Each period is given it's due and no enthusiast will be disappointed by the coverage of his or her special interest. Excellent bibliography and further reading suggestions as well.

Having said that, reading the book from cover to cover is slow going. And the interweaved tales of various autogiro developments in various times and locales makes some sections almost unreadable. For example you'll be reading about some invention progressing from 1926 to 1939 and then be abruptly jerked back to 1927 to start the next thread of development. When this happens 4 or 5 times in two or three pages you loose all sense of what happened when. But I'm not sure how you'd fix that except to edit out some of the material.

5.0 out of 5 stars Some day we will all have one in our driveway!, January 16, 2007

By	Beezlephod (Wilimington DE) - See all my reviews

Excellent book for any one interested in aviation. After reading the book we found out there is a Pitcarin autogyro in a museum less then 10 miles from our house. It is a must read for those interested in helicopters and their development.