America’s First Police Gyroplane Is Being Tested In Texas

A recent article on Wired offers information about the pilot program of a police gyroplane in Tomball, Texas. The Auto-Gyro MTO Sport aircraft is being tested using a grant from the Department of Justice Law Enforcement Aviation Technology Program. The gyroplane can take to the air in around 10 minutes, including the pre-flight checks. It climbs at 13 feet per second and can reach speeds of 115 mph. With it’s rotax motor, the pilot can nose the craft down safely and easily because it’s already in autorotation, unlike a standard helicopter.

The biggest advantage, compared to a helicopter, is the cost. A gyrocopter with radios and paintwork would be the same price as two squad cars ($75,000), and around $50 an hour to operate. A modern police helicopter can cost anything in the region of $1.5 million to $4 million, and are $1,000 an hour to operate.

Flying the Police Aircraft of the Future

Photo by: Matt Hardigree and Adrian Melendez/Jalopnik