The MT-O3 ( M ichael Ullrich, T homas Kiggen, O tmar Birkner) is a 2-seat tandem autogyro of pod-and-boom configuration, with a swept back central fin, plus stabilising fins at the tailplane tips. Rudder is fitted to central fin only. Designed for multiple use, including sport flying, training and commercial use eg. aerial observation, photographic roles etc..

The standard version is fitted with a pod , but an open-framed version is also certified in Germany .

The aircraft was designed and built by Auto Gyro Europe GmbH and HTC at Hildsheim during 2002 and a first flight followed in 2003.

In Germany , there was a changing of the rules in 2003 that allowed gyroplanes to fly in that country. The MT-O3 (a so called “ Ultraleicht Tragschrauber”) subsequently, following extensive testing, became the first machine to gain approval under the German ultralight autogyro regulations, being certified by the DULV (German Microlight Association) in September 2003.

A concerted sales push in 2005 saw the aircraft appearing at several trade shows during that year , which included Bois de la Pierre in the south of France near Toulouse . Here the first machine for a French customer was on show. The 914S turbo demonstrator was also there and this aircraft was kept busy all weekend carrying out spirited demo flights for potential customers. This had followed a country-wide tour of all the flight schools in Germany , demonstrations of the aircraft bringing a steady flow of orders and establishing the MT-O3 as the number one choice in Germany for many years to come, with over 60 machines delivered there by the end of 2005.

The company changed it's name to AutoGyro Europe in 2005 following the departure of Michael and the arrival of Otmar. Originally called the MT-03 ( M ichael, T homas, 20 03 , the 0 was changed to an O following O tmar joining the company.

Utilising a modular concept ,the MT-O3 airframe is constructed with a highly polished rectangular,stainless steel chasis, the tail unit , nacelle , 3-bladed propeller, seats and the main landing gear are manufactured from high quality glass/carbon composite materials. The cantilever, spring main gear legs, feature speed fairings and hydraulic disc brakes on the main gear wheels that also includes a parking brake. The later pod has faired intakes built into the extended aft fuselage to provide cooling for the engine and re-positioned radiators – this version now having become the standard. The spacious cockpits are both well sheltered from the elements and the instrumentation and built in communications provide for extensive cross-country potential. With the optional larger tank returning around 4 hours in the air, you might think this to be a bit chilly in certain weather conditions at certain months of the year, but there are built in connections for a range of heated clothing to plug into to ensure the comfort of pilots/passengers.

Main rotors are pre-coned, extruded aluminium alloy with NACA 8 H 12 airfoil section designed and built by Air Copter in France . Blades are available in varying lengths from 6.50m – 8.40m and have a pneumatic pre-rotator & rotor brake. The 2-axis trim system is also pneumatic. Propeller is an HTC of 1.72m diameter , the factory produced blades provide exceptional performance and meet the stringent European Authorities noise requirements..

Two power plant options are available, the 100hp Rotax 912 ULS or the 115hp Rotax 914S Turbo ULS both with a high grade stainless steel exhaust. Normal fuel tank is 34 litres, with an optional 70 litre tank available.

Factory, May 2006 price of the 912 ULS is 40,875.00 Euros with an additional charge of 7,650 Euros should you plump for the 914S Turbo. Metallic paint is available in most single colours for a further 785 Euros.

Amongst the countries to take on the certification of the MT-O3 is the UK , where, following stringent test flights to satisfy the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority's BCAR Section T , Airworthiness Approval Notice AAN29134 was issued on 28 th July 2006 as the approval for the RotorSport UK Ltd MT-O3. First customer delivery (G-CDZZ) in the UK was to Steve Boxall on 6 th August 2006 at Askern airstrip. Steve , accompanied by Gyro CFI Chris Jones, had travelled to the Hildsheim factory back in March and completed their conversion training with Thomas Kiggen, Autogyro CFI at the factory's flight school. ‘'When we arrived and saw the weather I thought that we would be stuck on the ground'' said Steve. ‘'With 25 knots winds blowing down over the local hills, rain and intermittent snow showers it did not look good – until we strapped ourselves in to the machines and just flew through it all. The MT-O3 just soaked up the turbulence, and the windscreens kept the weather off. Even the runway exercises (including the legendary ‘Hildsheim runway slalom') weren't a problem.''

During their two day visit Chris flew for six hours and Steve brought his time on the machine up to five and a half hours. ‘'It's an excellent training machine which does exactly what it says on the tin'' reported Chris. ‘'We had a great time at Hildsheim, where we received a warm welcome and had the opportunity to tour the impressive factory facilities.'' One big surprise for Chris was the ‘engine off' landing practice – with the engine actually turned off !. Chris is now qualified to undertake training on the MT-O3 back in the UK , and already has students lined up to undertake both conversion and ab-initio pilot training.

Gerry Speich's RotorSport UK Ltd, following the satisfactory completion of all company audits by the UK 's CAA (including the overseeing of one carried out in Germany ) , was awarded their A1 Approval Certificate for Gyroplane Design & Manufacture in March 2006. The A1 approval allows RotorSport UK Ltd to manufacture and sell factory-built gyroplanes (autogyros) in the UK .

Willi Ewig having become the local dealer for the type in Australia operating from the Manilla SkyRanch Airpark. The first three machines are due to arrive in Australia in mid-October 2006, coupled with everything required for training and travelling and factory back up of a comprehensive spares holding. The AutoGyro Europe engineering team will travel to Manilla, N.S.W to set up the first aircraft and train up engineers in the maintenance & servicing of the MT-03.

I visited the Hildsheim factory, which is roughly 50k to the south east of Hanover , in May 2006 , where I noted 6 machines in the finishing shop in various stages of build. These included the 4 th and 5 th machines destined for South Africa and Otmar's new machine for personal use. A further 4 machines were in the flight shed , including Thomas's appropriately registered D-MCFI , the flying school's mount (this is the second use of these marks, the first one was the 914S turbo demonstrator at Bois in 2005). The factory employs 28 workers, who between them produce 4 – 5 machines per week. The majority of the fabrication of the MT-O3 is carried out on-site, from a welding jig for the basic chassis frame, to a composite shop, where I observed fuselage pods, tail assemblies, main gear and propeller blades being layed-up, autoclaved and finished off. Company philosophy is to minimise the reliance on external suppliers , consequently the only major operation contracted out is the etch polishing of the frame and other stainless steel components like the rudder pedals, engine mounts etc..

The factory also produces the Eagle, a microlight trike, the company's team of dedicated engineers having built up their composite experience and skills producing these microlights for some years previous to the MT-O3.

Outside the main entrance to the factory building there is also a rig that has been commissioned for the dynamic testing of the rotor blade assemblies. The purchase of some very sophisticated software provides a print out, in the form of a diagrammatic report that indicates the amount of imbalance and the required rectification.

As of the time of my visit to the factory, the MT-O3 fleet had accumulated a total time of 13,500 hours.(September 2006)

NOW FOR THAT TECHNICAL STUFF:

Rotor diameter: 8.40m (27ft 6 ¾ in)

Overall length: 5.10m (16ft 8 ¾ in)

Overall height: 2.60m (8ft 6 ¼ in)

Overall width: 1.80m (5ft 10 ¾ in)

Empty weight: 246 kg (542 lbs)

MTOW: 450kg (992 lbs)

Details (Rotax 914)

VNE: 88kt (163km/h : 101mph)

Cruise Speed: 81kt (150km/h : 93mph)

Max rate of climb @ S/L: 420m : 1,378ft / min

T/O run: 10 – 70 m (up to 165ft)

Landing run: 0 – 15 m (up to 50ft)

Max range: 162 n miles (300km : 186 miles)

Pilot weight restrictions: Front seat min/max 60/125kg.

Rear seat pax max 120kg.

4 point harnesses in both seat positions.

Fuel consumption 10/12 litres/hour at cruise, average loading.

Standard avionic package includes: Airspeed, Altimeter, Compass, Oil temp, engine rpm, rotor rpm, oil pressure, engine hours, main rotor shaft bearing temp and engine intake temp.