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Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the Slow-G?
Slow-G is a kit that converts a GWS Slow Stick into an autogyro. The kit builds into a small stub wing that holds two countra-rotating rotors; all other parts (motor, tail feathers, R/C gear) come from the Slow Stick.
2Can I go back to using my Slow-Stick as an airplane?
Yes, the conversion is non-destructive. In fact, you can go back and forth between airplane and autogyro configurations at the field - it's as easy as undoing the rubber bands that hold the autogyro wing and replacing it with the stock airplane wing or vice versa.
3What exactly is an autogyro?
An autogyro is a heavier-than-air, rotary-wing aircraft with a tractor or pusher propeller (like an airplane) and free-spinning rotor(s) that generate lift. Historically and aerodynamically, autogyros, developed in late 1920's and 1930's, fall between fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. If you've seen a helicopter in autorotation, you've seen an unpowered autogyro. An autorotating helicopter is to an autogyro what a glider is to an airplane. Stick a propeller that will pull your craft forward, and you've got a powered autogyro. See also 15, Where can I find out more about autogyros in general and model autogyros in particular?.
4How difficult is it to fly a Slow-G?
Not very. It flies pretty much like a slow 3-channel airplane - only slower. I do not recommend it as a first model, but if you are comfortable flying a Slow Stick, you should have no problem flying the Slow-G.
5How long does it take to build the kit?
You can build one in an evening if you use CA and minimal finish. Of course, you can spend as long as you like detailing your Slow-G - the sky's the limit :=)
6What do I need to fly a Slow-G?
It's easiest to start with a working Slow Stick. Slow-Gs fly fine with the stock Speed-350 motors and 11x8 props. You'll need a 3-channel setup of course, but if you have a working Slow Stick, you won't need to modify anything. I highly recommend a prop saver.
7Why two rotors?
A rotor moving though an airflow generates asymmetric lift: the advancing blade's velocity is added to the craft's airspeed, while the rereating blade's is deducted from it. Faster-moving airfols develop more lift, so the craft tends to roll into the retreating blade. This affects both helicopters and autogyros equally; helicopters normally employ flapping hinges, lead-lag hinges and cyclic pitch control machnisms to cope with asymmetric lift and to provide roll control (for an in-depths treatment, see Collin Mill's "Practical Theories") With two rotors spinning in opposite directions, asymmetric lift cancels out between the rotors. It is almost, but not entirely unlike how coaxial helicopters cancel out rotor torque. (autogyro rotors are not powered, so no torque to cancel). Because it uses aerodynamic tail feathers for control, Slow-G can get away with having no cyclic controls at all, and accomplish all sterring with a conventional airplane tail.

What this all means is that Slow-G rotors are much simpler (cheaper) than on any other autogyro or helicopter model you can buy, yet the model is as maneuverable as any. (And no, I did not invent fixed-pitch, twin-rotor autogyros. I only came up with an economical way to produce high-quality rotor heads)

8Can a Slow-G hover?
No. Unlike a helicopter with a powered rotor, an autogyro depends on airflow over its rotors for lift and over its tail feathers for control. A Slow-G can fly with very little forward speed and will appear stationary in the slightest headwind, but it will not hover in the true sense of the word. It can descend vertically, but at zero airspeed its aerodynamic controls will have zero effectiveness, so you always want to carry at least some forward airspeed.
9Is Slow-G aerobatic?
Slow-G autogyro is not intended for aerobatics, and in fact I do not recommend that customers attempt aerobatic maneuvers with it. However, I've had reports from pilots who performed loops and other 3-channel aerobatics. Proceed at your own risk.
10I want to learn to fly R/C helicopters. Will flying the Slow-G be an inexpensive stepping stone?
The more different models you master, and the more different types of models, the easier it will be to learn to fly new models. But otherwise, the answer to your question is "no". In general, Slow-G's flight characteristics are much closer to a fixed-wing 3-channel airplane than a helicopter, its rotary wings notwithstanding.
11But I want a single-rotor autogyro!
There are two vendors that you might want to look at. While both offer kits that are more expensive than Slow-G and make higher demands on pilot skill, they are excellent choices for a second autogyro. Autogyro Company of Arizona offer scale and sport kits. FlyingBalsa offer kits mostly intended for gas engines. I haven't flown either of these companies' products, but I've heard good things about them.

Also, Mickey Nowell has designed an excellent single-rotor that uses model helicopter parts. He's been selling short kits on and off. See this thread on RCGroups and Mickey's website for details.

12But I want a gas-powered autogyro!
See 11, But I want a single-rotor autogyro!.
13I want a scratch-built autogyro. Are plans available for the Slow-G?
There are no master plans for the Slow-G, but even if there were, it would be difficult to build one completely from scratch unless you have a laser cutter and a mill for blades. I have plans for an earlier prototype, if you're interested, and also drawings for laser-cut parts (note that these are copyrighted; you are alowed and encouraged to copy and redistribute them, but check the restrictions that apply). The Slow-G assembly manual should give you a very good idea of how a Slow-G is built. If you want to experiment, I sell individual weight-matched blades. If you want a few hundred blades, see 14, Do you manufacture all of the parts yourself?. Plans for a number of different autogyro models are available commercially, see this link for a growing list.
14Do you manufacture all of the parts yourself?
It's amazing, but when you buy a Slow-G autogyro kit, you get parts from at least 4 different countries. And while some of these parts are off-the shelf components like ball bearings and gearbox housings, most are custom-made. I make a lot of the parts myself, but the kits wouldn't be what they are without two subcontractors: WLC of Barrie, Ontario, Canada who laser-cut my wood, and Ackus of Onsala, Sweden who mill my rotor blades.
15Where can I find out more about autogyros in general and model autogyros in particular?
Jim Baxter's very useful, if somewhat disorganized site, www.autogyro.com concentrates on R/C models. It is now maintained by Mike Smith of aerobalsa.com, suppliers of high-quality blades for larger autogyros.

Jeff Lewis of Carter Aviation Technologies has a very informative essay that "describes autogyros and how they work, gives a brief history of their early development, explains their differences with other aircraft, and explains why they were never accepted".

If you are not scared of Greek letters, Dr. J. Gordon Leishman's Development of the Autogiro: A Technical Perspective is an excellent engineering treatment.

George Townson's AUTOGIRO: the Story of the Windmill Plane covers American autogyro history and includes sections on autogyro theory; you can buy this book from Bill Hannan.

The autgyro forum on RCGroups is the place to ask questions about R/C 'gyros.

If you know of a good autogyro resource that you think should be included here, let me know.

16I have a question about Slow-G, where can I ask?
Email me at web@slow-g.com. If your question is about building or flying the Slow-G, as opposed to buying a kit or delivery options, consider posting it question on RCGroups' autgyro forum. On the one hand, posting there will allow other builders, not just me, to share their knowledge. Many of them are far better pilots than I am. On the other hand, it will be to the benefit of future builders who may find their question already answered in the forum.