Magni Gyroplanes See U.S. Success

Here at the Bensen Days fly-in in Wauchula, Florida, the flight line is quite different than it was just five years ago. Prominent gyroplane pilot Ron Awad, from Charlotte, North Carolina, observed that only five years ago the Bensen Days flight line was awash with homebuilt gyros with open cockpits and open fuselages. Since then, several European companies have populated that flight line with their sleek composite models, appearing like Ferraris next to sand rails. These high-dollar Euro models are all but taking over the gyro market, attracting pilots more interested in flying in style than building and tinkering.

A leader in the Euro invasion is the Magni Gyro Company out of Besnate, Italy, a little northwest of Milan. In the 1960s, a young Italian aeronautical engineer, Vittorio Magni, was working for the Agusta Helicopter Company when he learned about a wild craze going on in the U.S. surrounding the Bensen Gyrocopter. He ordered a set of plans, studied them, and later resolved that he could design and build an even better sport gyroplane. That experimental gyro became the Magni M1. Vittorio formed his own company and started refining his designs. After 14 more iterations, the Magni M16 finally hit all the right notes, leading to great sales and success in the European market. The M16, a two-place open-cockpit tandem gyroplane, differed from other gyros of the day by utilizing a composite aerodynamic fuselage, faired landing gear and upgraded seats and cockpits. They more resembled Italian sports cars than the open skeleton frames of other experimentals.

As M16 sales grew in Europe, some pilots in America took note, importing a few for instruction and just plain fun flying. In the late ’90s American Greg Gremminger became the North American distributor for Magni. From humble sales in the early years, Magni began developing more North American regional distributors, increasing awareness for the brand. Sales increased at a notable rate, taking off even more during COVID. Magni now has a dozen regional distributors in the U.S., resulting in American market sales that are now challenging sales numbers throughout all of Europe.

Although Magni still constructs and sells the open-cockpit M16, its sales have been eclipsed by the new M24 Orion, a two-place side-by-side enclosed model, powered by a turbocharged Rotax 915. Although the M24 cruises comfortably around 80 knots, its slippery fuselage suggests it could break Mach at any moment. It looks like it would be the probable result if an MD500 helicopter and a Ferrari California had a baby. The cockpit interior is well appointed with attractive and comfortable seats. Roominess is enhanced by the seats being slightly offset. And then there is the view. Only helicopters with chin bubbles have more Plexiglas real estate. Finally, the panel is well laid out with a Dynon pilot’s flight display and integrated engine monitors.

The newest development at Magni is the introduction of the M24 Extreme, a backcountry version of the Orion replete with tundra tires and shock-suspended nosegear, making it capable of off-airport operations. While the Americans and Aussies have received the Extreme with great excitement, the Italians don’t really understand the appeal. They prefer race car styling to that of a rock-crawling jeep.

Magni’s representative at Bensen Days is Jason Wilkinson, who captains Sunstate Magni out of Sebring, Florida. He credits the M24’s success to the public preference for an enclosed side-by-side cockpit, which is more comfortable for passengers and more amenable to flight instruction. Jason notes that Magni management in Italy has approached sales growth in the American market with conservative optimism, making sure that any increased production has a solid base. This approach fits in with Magni’s reputation for solid dealer and customer support.

If you are in the market for an upscale two-place gyroplane, the Magni M16 sells in the $100,000–$120,000 range, depending on the dollar to euro exchange rate. The M24 Orion currently costs between $155,000 and $175,000. Sunstate Magni offers instruction at the rate of $275 per hour, which includes fuel and instructor. Many fixed-wing pilots come to Sebring for a gyroplane sport pilot add-on endorsement, which usually takes 10 to 20 hours. At the end of training, the checkride can be supplied by a proficiency check sport pilot CFI. No DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner) is needed. For more information, go to magnigyroflight.com.