Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum
Introduction
Welcome to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum: the only dedicated museum for Gyrocopters in the UK.
We preserve a modest collection of old Gyrogliders, Gyrocopters (trade name of the Bensen Brand), Gyroplanes and Autogyros. As these original aircraft fall out of use, and are replaced with modern technology, we want to ensure the survival of the glorious home-built originals and their history and heritage through to the modern day marvels.
We will be delighted to accept donations of any gyrocopters or gyrogliders that may be gathering dust in a shed. They will come to a good home where they can be preserved and loved for many years to come. We are also keen to hear from enthusiasts that might be able to fill in the details of these aircraft and their history.
(Please note that the 'Highland, Aviation Museum' also based in Inverness has no connection with our company, and sadly closed in 2020).
Visitors
We are an operating flight training school at Inverness Airport, and the aircraft are stored securely and are not accessible to the general public without an appointment.
We would be absolutely delighted to show you our collection, but to avoid disappointment, please do not just turn up as our staff are all pilots conducting scheduled lessons and flight experiences.
There is no charge for visiting the museum; you can book an appointment by contacting our reception using one of the following:
Telephone Reception: 01667460361
Email General: Click here to email us
For the more adventurous visitor, to compliment your visit, why not book an experience flight in a dual control modern Gyrocopter? Please ask our reception staff for more information, or read online here.
The Collection
G-ARTJ
Bensen B-8M (Preserved)
G-ARTJ - Bensen B-8M
First Registered: William Hosie of Glasgow on 2nd Sept 1961
Manufactured by: William Hosie
Serial Number: 07
History:
- 30.01.1966 - Ownership Transferred to Malcolm Stewart of Edinburgh.
- 06.06.1975 - Withdrawn from use.
- (Dates unknown) Time spent on loan to the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune by Malcolm Stewart.
- (Date unknown) Ownership Transferred to Phil Harwood at The Gyrocopter Experience, Rufforth Airfield, York.
- 03.02.2021 - Relocated to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum at Inverness Airport.
Interesting fact: Modern aircraft have an offset rotorhead gimbal, enabling a trim system to be fitted. This aircraft does not, and therefore is considered quite difficult to fly. Also note the overhead control bar which is operated in reverse to the modern stick designs.
Video - Building Your Own Gyrocopter 1967
This film demonstrates flight of a Gyroglider and then a Gyrocopter of similar design and age to that above.
The film features Peter (and son Paul) Lovegrove in the Gyroglider and Geoffrey Whatley in a Gyrocopter.
Gyroglider
Unknown (Preserved)
Gyroglider
History:
- The details and history of this Gyroglider is mostly unknown.
- Circa 2018 - Donated by Colin Munro to Phil Harwood at The Gyrocopter Experience, Rufforth Airfield, York.
- 03.02.2021 - Relocated to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum at Inverness Airport.
Video - Gyroglider flown by Schoolboy 1968
Schoolboy Paul Lovegrove with father Peter fly the Gyroglider similar to that above at Membury, Berkshire
G-BXCJ
Replica Campbell Cricket (Preserved)
G-BXCJ - Replica Campbell Cricket
First Registered: Ross Friend of Taunton on 24th Feb 1997
Manufactured by: Ross Friend
Serial Number: PFA G/03-1177
History:
- 22.06.1999 - Ownership Transferred to John Cooper of Swansea.
- 28.02.2002 - Ownership Transferred to Frank Knowles of High Wycombe.
- 27.09.2007 - Ownership Transferred to Andrew Peel of Pickering.
- (Date unknown) The aircraft was donated by Andrew Peel to Phil Harwood at The Gyrocopter Experience, Rufforth Airfield, York.
- 03.02.2021 - Relocated to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum at Inverness Airport.
- 12.03.2024 - Deregistration of the aircraft from the UK Register of Civil Aircraft.
Interesting fact: This aircraft boasts a pre-rotator and an in-flight adjustable trim which is operated by turning a screw mechanism behind the pilot's head.
Video - Campbell Cricket 1970
Filmed at Newbury, Berkshire
PCL 132
PFA Gyro Glider 001 Rotaglida (Preserved)
PCL 132 - PFA Gyro Glider 001 Rotaglida
BAPC440 PFA Gyroglider 001 Rotaglida
Manufactured by: Peter Lovegrove
History:
- The history of this Gyroglider is mostly unknown.
- (Date unknown) Donated to Phil Harwood at The Gyrocopter Experience, Rufforth Airfield, York.
- 03.02.2021 - Relocated to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum at Inverness Airport.
Interesting fact: The pre-rotator is operated by a pair of hand-driven cranks in a pedalling motion by the occupants.
G-CDBE
Montgomerie-Bensen B-8M (Preserved)
G-CDBE - Montgomerie-Bensen B-8M
First Registered: Phil Harwood of Arbroath on 07.09.2004
Manufactured by: Chris Jones under a product range named "Benson Spirit".
Serial Number: PFA G/01-1360
History:
- 24.12.2003 - Bensen B8 kit purchased from Montgomerie Engineering. Airframe constructed to Montgomerie instructions (See photos below)
- 26.01.2004 - Rotax 582 Engine installed (See photos below)
- 20.08.2004 - Engine ground run
- 07.09.2004 - Aircraft Registration
- 20.02.2005 - First test flight
- In use between 2005-2007, and was rebuilt once by Jim Montgomerie during this period after sustaining some damage.
- 10.03.2007 - Last flights recorded were flight tests conducted by Roger Savage. Log book remarks “Flights proved satisfactory and all handling ops normal”.
- 03.02.2021 - Relocated to the Highland Aviation Gyrocopter Museum at Inverness Airport.
- 28.11.2022 - Deregistration of the aircraft from the UK Register of Civil Aircraft.
Interesting fact: The seat is the fuel tank. Opinion is divided as whether this was a good idea!
Original construction photographs:
The Working Gyroplane Fleet
G-CGZG
Autogyro MTO Sport 2010 (Current training aircraft)
G-CGZG - Autogyro MTO Sport 2010
First Registered: David Dewey of Ely on 28th Sep 2011
Manufactured by: (Autogyro) Rotorsport UK Ltd
Serial Number: RSUK/MTOS/041
History:
- 12.10.2011 - First Flight Test.
- 06.11.2011 - Entered service as a private aircraft.
- 23.09.2014 - Ownership transferred to John Payne of Stourbridge
- (Date unknown) Relocated to Carlisle Airport.
- 07.08.2015 - Ownership transferred to Will Roomes FI(G) of Bedford.
- 27.08.2015 - Relocated to Rufforth Airfield, York, to be used as a training aircraft.
- 02.08.2017 - Relocated (with owner) to Inverness Airport for use as training aircraft.
G-CKVZ
Autogyro Cavalon Pro (Current training aircraft)
G-CKVZ - Autogyro Cavalon Pro
First Registered: Autogyro Gmbh of Germany on 16th Feb 2018
Manufactured by: (Autogyro) Rotorsport UK Ltd
Serial Number: RSUK/CAVP/005
History:
- 21.03.2018 - First Flight Test.
- 22.03.2018 - Used by the manufacturers as a demonstration model in the UK and Germany.
- 24.03.2021 - Flown to it's new home at Inverness Airport from Autoyro's base in Hildesheim, Germany.
- 25.03.2021 - Ownership transferred to Alistair Sinclair of Inverness.
- 20.04.2021 - Leased by Highland Aviation for use as training aircraft.
- 29.07.2021 - New Vinyl livery featuring the Sinclair Hunting Tartan.
Interesting fact: One of the first Gyroplanes in the world to hold a Certificate of Airworthiness (rather than a Permit to Fly). This aircraft is suitable to conduct Night VFR flights and Aerial Work.
G-CKYD
Autogyro MTO Sport 2017 (Current training aircraft)
G-CKYD - Autogyro MTO Sport 2017
First Registered: Rotorsport UK Ltd on 9th Jul 2018
Manufactured by: (Autogyro) Rotorsport UK Ltd
Serial Number: RSUK/MTO2/008
History:
- 20.07.2018 - First Flight Test.
- 23.05.2019 - 11.03.2020 - Used by the manufacturers as a demonstration model.
- 10.06.2021 - Relocated to Inverness Airport for use as training aircraft.
- 05.07.2021 - Ownership transferred to Highland Aviation Training Ltd.