Become a Gyroplane Pilot

We use the Magni Gyro M16 with a Rotax 914 Turbo engine. The stability and ease of flight of this gyroplane are virtually unmatched, and typically reduce the learning curve for pilot trainees.

Gyroplane training in Greece is governed by Article 7 of the Regulation of Ultralight Flying Sports Machines (YPAM), F.E.K. 1360B/2-9-2010. The document can be downloaded here:

• Original Greek version
• Translated English version

Briefly, you require a minimum of 25 hours of training. Of these, at least 20 hours must be under dual instruction and at least 5 must be flown solo under the supervision of an instructor. These are minimum requirements — a student with good aptitude, enthusiasm and dedication should expect to train for between 40 and 50 hours. If you spread the training over too long a period, or have long gaps between periods of training, it will take you longer. You should ideally expect to take between 6 months and a year to train.

Yes — although in practice, while a new student will probably require at least 40 hours of training, you will probably require far less. In addition, you will only have to do the 10-hour Gyroplane Technical ground school instead of the full 50 hours of theoretical classes.

Yes. The PPL(G) is actually a licence to carry passengers. As a student you must fly at least 5 hours solo in a gyrocopter before you get your licence, and one of these flights must be at least 20 nautical miles away from your home airfield (without landing away). Your solo hours can only be flown with the permission of, and under the supervision of, a qualified instructor.

You must have:

• Completed the required number of dual training hours (20)
• Completed the required number of supervised solo training hours (5)
• Completed the overall minimum number of hours of training (25)
• Completed a flight away from the airfield of at least 20 nautical miles
• Completed 50 hours of theoretical lessons: Civil Aviation Law (6 hrs), Meteorology (5 hrs), General Aviation technical knowledge (6 hrs), Air Navigation (7 hrs), Theory of Flight (5 hrs), Human Factors (4 hrs), Gyroplane Technical (10 hrs), Airport Rules (3 hrs), Air/ground Communications and use of aircraft radio transceiver (4 hrs)
• Completed a separate Radio Telephony course (at least 6 hours)
• Passed a General Flying Test (GFT) conducted by an HCAA-approved gyro examiner
• Passed an oral test relating to the type of gyro used for your GFT (key performance criteria for the specific model)
• Passed the Air Law multiple-choice ground-school exam before flying solo (unless you hold a recognised pilot’s licence already)
• Passed the Meteorology, Navigation and Human Performance multiple-choice exams before flying cross-country (unless you hold a recognised pilot’s licence already)
• Passed the National Radio Telephony Exam (unless you hold a recognised pilot’s licence already)

Yes. Navigation in a gyrocopter is different from other forms of aircraft. You are generally flying much closer to the ground, so you have to identify landmarks differently from the “bird’s eye” view you would get from other aircraft, which generally fly at over 2,000 ft above ground.

The other main difference is what to do with your map! In an open-cockpit gyroplane you cannot easily get a map out and refold it — and you cannot spread it across your lap as you can in a flex-wing microlight, because you have a stick between your knees!

Not currently, but you will still need to attend the theoretical Gyroplane Technical Course and any included tests as part of the course.

Prices offered will be comparable to the other gyroplane training organisations. Expect to spend between €7,000 and €10,000 to complete the full course (less if you already hold a pilot’s licence, as explained above).