The Mind Behind the Machine Returns – We’re incredibly proud and excited to share some big news — Otmar Birkner, one of the original founders of AutoGyro, has returned home! Otmar is now heading up our Production, Engineering, and Innovation departments, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back where it all began.
Otmar has always been a driving force behind the spirit of AutoGyro. With his unmatched passion for flight and deep technical expertise, he’s ready to take our aircraft to the next level. Under his leadership, we’re set to push boundaries, reimagine our products, and bring fresh innovations that will shape the next generation of gyrocopters.
This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter — one that honors our roots while looking boldly ahead. “The Mind Behind the Machine Returns” – With Otmar leading the charge, we’re not just building aircraft for today, but for the decade to come.
We are thrilled to share exciting developments in our aircraft range:
✅ MTOsport 2017 with the 916 iS Rotax engine has just been released by the CAA* | UK ✅ The first Swiss registered Cavalon with the 915 iS Rotax engine has received its approval for flight. ☑️ Calidius 916 iS Rotax UK CAA* release is in progress and expected in February 2025
AutoGyro is the only gyroplane company in the world with this range of certifications. With a sales and service network in over 40 countries, AutoGyro is well-placed to support national or international fleet requirements. Furthermore, AutoGyro aircraft are now listed within the NATO catalogue, and available to all NATO member states.
WHAT MAKES THE CALIDUS 916 SPECIAL?
✅ A world-beating Vne* of 140 mph | 225 kmh ✅ 100-liter fuel tanks ✅ Heated seats | lumbar support | new upholstery | taller cabin ✅ Full Garmin suite with ADS-B* in and out, and full night VFR* capability ✅ New heater system for better in-flight comfort
A gyroplane is not a helicopter or a traditional winged aircraft, it provides a vehicle platform complimentary to both. They are inherently safe aircraft, with a very broad speed range. They can be flown very slow, even to zero kilometers per hour. That makes them an excellent observation platform, perfect for border or highway patrols or wildfire spotting. Gyroplanes have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to helicopters. In general they offer a cost-efficient and environment-friendly alternative for commercial aerial tasks.
As you have probably noticed, we have published a Service Bulletin on the topic of “Dual Generator Failure” of the Rotax 915iS and 916iS engines and informed the DULV* and other supervisory authorities.
The DULV* has turned this service bulletin into an LTA* and prohibited the flight operations of the affected aircraft in Germany.
To rectify this problem, Rotax have published Service bulletin SB-912 i-016iS_SB-915 i-016iS_SB-916 i-006iS (accessible via: https://www.flyrotax.com/p/service/technical-documentation Technical documentation | Manuals | Rotax Aircraft Engines). Please contact your service partner to organise the inspection required. We are happy to answer any questions you may have via email: airworthiness@auto-gyro.com.
AutoGyro proudly announces the successful launch of the fastest production gyroplane in the world: Calidus 916 iS. This new generation Calidus is flying with the “impossible” Rotax engine 916 iS (160 hp) at an “impossible” new Vne of 225 km/h / 140 mph / 120 KIAS.
The sharp aerodynamics mean that Calidus is a fast cruiser, and with new fuel tank capacity of 100ltr, has a huge 650 km range. A superb combination!
The new generation also includes new aircraft options:
A taller optional canopy, with an additional 150mm (6”) of headroom for pilots
Variable rate heater controls, heated seats and lumbar support
Screen demist incorporated
Latest generation pneumatic system
Latest generation rotorhead and pre-rotation
4-blade HTC or electric constant speed Woodcomp KW31 (electric) prop
Night VFR equipmenFull Garmin G3x panel, with Garmin, Trig or Funk radios and transponders
Leather seat cushions, customized to match the aircraft colours
The Calidus 916 iS has a maximum takeoff mass of 560 kg, an empty weight as low as 310 kg, and an engine TBO of 2000 hrs.
An impossible combination? At AutoGyro we love to make the impossible possible…
AUTOGYRO GYROMOTION. THE FIRST HYBRID GYROPLANE FOR AIR & ROAD
REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR PERSONAL MOBILITY, THE FIRST FLYING CAR IS HERE
Calidus Gyromotion
You will be the first one in the world who is going to be admired, wherever you are. The first real Flying car in the world! You can go anywhere you want in a Calidus GyroMotion. Can’t travel by air? Take the road instead – with AutoGyro GyroMotion you will be free to choose. Stop for fuel at a petrol station and then just fly over traffic again. The GyroMotion combines the unique flying characteristics of an AutoGyro gyroplane with an electric road-based vehicle. For more information about the AutoGyro Gyromotion, please visit the website of our Czech partner: https://www.gyromotion.eu/home
EVERY PILOT’S PROBLEM – THE LAST MILE TO YOUR DESTINATION – SOLVED!
The AutoGyro GyroMotion is currently only certified in the Czech Republic and can be flown and driven under a Czech certificate, but it will soon be certified within the EU. AutoGyro’s engineers and certification team are working hard to have it certified in many more countries. Can’t wait to fly and drive your aircraft, please order your GyroMotion model and we will keep working on a swift certification for the European market. Please find more information about the AutoGyro GyroMotion in our Brochure.
The super-sleek Calidus is AutoGyro’s closed cabin two-seat tandem model. When it was released in 2009, it was the world’s first formally certified factory-built gyroplane of this configuration. Calidus is loved not just for its aesthetics and amazing fun to fly, but also by flight schools, for sight-seeing, and law enforcement agencies.
The sharp aerodynamics mean that Calidus is a fast cruiser, and with a fuel tank of 74ltr, has a huge range. Improved further with the latest extended range 100ltr. tank option. The huge clear canopy gives both the pilot and passenger an amazing 360view; yet keeping them both warm, dry, and comfortable.
Ventilation? Yes, and with AutoGyros normal ingenuity there are many options
full enclosed canopy with ventilation windows
open sided canopy, where large side windows allow plenty of air access
high-headroom canopy for very tall pilots
full open top canopy
And, of course, as all AutoGyro enclosed aircraft, Calidus is fitted with a proper heater system.
So no matter where the aircraft is operating, or the season, there is a way to keep warm, or keep cool!
And this aircraft has an excellent pedigree. With over 500 released to service since 2009, AutoGyro has a huge depth of reliability experience around the world, whether operated for fun or reward. We know that the diverse operating environments around the world can be harsh for aircraft, and take pride in the ability of our aircraft to reach that standard. Backed worldwide by the AutoGyro factory and partners, you can be sure to be well looked after.
Calidus Sentinel – Our tandem enclosed camera platform.
The Calidus Sentinel may be equipped with day/infrared cameras as the perfect solution for fulfilling missions such as search and rescue, surveillance, and inspection. Such proven equipment can track cars and read license plates from 500 ft AGL (above ground level), and effectively detect the heat signatures of the people and vehicles on the ground.
Generally the cameras are 2- or 3-axis stabilized units with 360 degrees continuous rotation capability, with digital auto video stabilization and target tracking. Optical zoom capability ranges from zero to 30 times, and most infrared systems can provide four times zoom. Equipped with the Rotax 914 UL, 915 or 916 iS engines, the Calidus Sentinel has the power needed to fulfill your task requirements.
AutoGyro recognises that different mission objectives require different cameras or on-board systems such as LIDAR scanning. With a multitude of such systems already in service, the AutoGyro advanced engineering team has the skills and knowledge to provide the systems integration needed for such applications. Talk to us about your wants and needs, and we will work with you to find the solution.
Example application areas:
Ground vehicle tracking and recognition
Search and rescue
Fire spotting and tracking
General surveillance
Traffic law enforcement
Media aerial photography
Border patrols
Overhead line monitoring
Close protection
Our platform for law enforcement
Our law enforcement models provide aerial support by day and by night. All our models are available as Night VFR certified in accordance with BCAR Section T, CRIE-01 and FAA Primary Category.
The Calidus is the ideal platform to carry camera equipment and provide aerial support and overview for the officers on the ground for applications where tandem seating and a full external view are a must.
With plentiful energy available from an auxiliary alternator, Police radio equipment can easily be powered for excellent communications and still have power for cameras, live stream downlinks, and other on-board systems. AutoGyro has created a superb cabin ‘office’ environment and wil tailor make one to meet your needs.
Current models offer.
Police radio system integration with live number plate recognition and 7″ control screen
Third radio integration for aux communications
Integrated camera display panel and controls
Removable passenger seat control stick
Heated and well-ventilated cabin for cold or hot mission environments
AutoGyro’s Calidus is a closed-cabin two-seat tandem model, certified as the world’s first factory-built gyroplane in 2009. Loved for its aesthetics and flight experience, Calidus is a popular choice for flight schools, sightseeing, and law enforcement.
The sharp aerodynamics mean that Calidus is a fast cruiser. With a fuel tank of 74 liter, it has a great range. Improved further with the latest extended range 100ltr. tank option. The huge clear canopy gives both the pilot and passenger an amazing 360 view; yet keeping them both warm, dry, and comfortable.
Canopy options
full enclosed canopy with ventilation windows
open sided canopy, where large side windows allow plenty of air access
high-headroom canopy for very tall pilots
full open top canopy
The Calidus, AutoGyro’s sleek two-seat model, features an efficient heating system like all enclosed AutoGyro aircraft. So no matter where the aircraft is operating, or the season, there is always a way to keep warm, or keep cool!
As a workhorse, this aircraft has an excellent pedigree. With over 500 released to service since 2009, AutoGyro has a huge depth of reliability experience around the world, whether operated for fun or reward. We know that the work environment is a hard daily toil for aircraft and take pride in the ability of our aircraft to reach that standard. You can rely on exceptional support from the AutoGyro factory and partners, who provide backing worldwide.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
English
German