Autogirostående

Autogirostående refers to the phenomenon in rotorcraft where the rotor is powered by the air flowing through it, rather than by an engine. This is the fundamental principle behind autogyros, also known as gyroplanes or gyrocopters. Unlike a helicopter, where the engine drives the rotor directly to produce lift, an autogyro's rotor is unpowered during forward flight.

The forward motion of the aircraft, typically generated by a propeller driven by an engine, forces air upwards through the rotor disc. This upward airflow causes the rotor blades to rotate, a process called autorotation. This autorotation generates lift, allowing the autogyro to fly.

The pilot controls the pitch of the rotor blades, known as the angle of attack, to regulate the amount of lift. A higher angle of attack increases lift, while a lower angle decreases it. This allows for precise control of altitude. Autogirostående also means that if the engine fails, the rotor will continue to spin due to the relative wind, providing a degree of autorotation that can be used for a controlled descent and landing, making it inherently safer than fixed-wing aircraft in some engine-out scenarios. This characteristic makes autogyros distinct from helicopters and traditional airplanes.