Long regarded as the Mercedes-AMGs of open-airframe gyroplanes, Gyro Technic has produced fast and responsive single-seat kits designed for two-stroke engines (the VX-1) and the more powerful Rotax four-stroke 912 engines (the VX-2). Its popularity has skyrocketed as a result of its performance and its exquisite component fabrication. Many are taken aback at the intricacy of the machine work on Gyro Technic gyroplanes. It would make a seasoned machinist weep with joy and envy.
The only thing that has been missing is the availability of a two-seat Gyro Technic for instruction or the pilot’s HIB (honey in back). CEO Denis Shoemaker has been working on that problem and has designed the two-place VX-T (T for trainer) to satisfy those pilots who don’t want to fly solo all the time.
While the VX-T shares many components with the VX-1 and VX-2, it is an extensively engineered clean-sheet design. Denis has endeavored to retain all of the performance capabilities of his single-seaters in the new model. The VX-T manages the weight and balance of two seats extremely well. The movement in the center of gravity (CG) of the aircraft, from a small passenger and low fuel, to a larger passenger with full fuel, is only 1-3/4 inches.
The pilot in command will occupy the front seat and the student pilot or civilian passenger will sit in back. To preserve design balance, the available rear cyclic is a right-handed sidestick. Throttle controls are on the left side. The well-appointed panel features a tried-and-true Trig com, Trig transponder, and Kanardia Pilot’s Flight Display (PFD). Denis is sold on the Kanardia system, which is very readable in flight, is configured specifically for the VX models, and is a fraction of the cost of other suites. Plus, Denis is also impressed with Kanardia’s “annoyingly good” customer service.
Gyro Technic is known for its builder assistance program, where kit builders come to the factory in Mankato, Minnesota, and live in a well-appointed apartment during construction. In a few short weeks, the completed kit is a thing of beauty, ready to fly.
The new VX-T is almost ready for the first flight test and should be well shaken out by AirVenture in July. Denis expects the final price to be about $95,000 for the dual control model and $90,000 for the two-place version without duals in the back. Those are ready-to-fly figures, which include a new Rotax 912 iS engine (a Rotax 915 will be available as an upgrade) and a full panel. For more information, go to gyrotechnic.com.
It has been bandied about that Denis Schoemaker’s Gyro Technic machines are “Flying Works Of Art!”