GYROCOPTERS
– GOVERNMENT SCHEME
News:
Breakfast in the clouds,
on a gyrocopter
What's
in the news?
●
Uttarakhand
is planning a “breakfast tourism” scheme to provide visitors with
a unique experience that combines the thrill of aviation with the serenity of
nature.
Key
takeaways:
●
According to a proposal for phase one,
Kalsi, Chinyalisaur, Gaucher, Bairagi Camp, Nainisaini and Pantnagar have been
identified as starting points, and breakfast arrangements can be made at places
like Raithal, Harsil, George Everest, Rishikesh and Nainital.
●
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board,
in collaboration with Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd, aims to introduce gyrocopters — compact and
agile aircraft — as a novel way to explore the beautiful state.
●
A trial run was done for India’s first-ever Himalayan Air Safari
using gyrocopters.
Gyrocopters:
●
A gyrocopter is a mix between a helicopter and an airplane.
●
The Gyros are coming from Germany and the pilots who will run the initial tests
will be Germans.
Features:
●
It has a large rotating blade on top,
similar to a helicopter, but it is not
powered by an engine. Instead, as it moves forward, the air pushes through
the blades, spinning them and keeping it aloft.
●
Gyrocopters are generally considered safe and stable. They are also nimble
and maneuverable, allowing pilots to fly closer to attractions.
●
Gyrocopters don’t require extensive runways for take-off and landing, so they
can operate from smaller airfields or even open spaces.
Significance:
●
The operating
cost of a Gyrocopter is one-tenth that of a helicopter, so it is
comparatively cheaper, with an estimated cost of INR 200 per minute.
●
Safer
transport - As the engine is not connected to the rotors, it is
not seriously affected if the engine stops in flight.
●
It can fly lower and slower more safely
than most other forms of flying machines and is also capable of flying in harsh weather conditions.