Gyro question

news.starpower.net wrote:
I have a question:
(and the answer may be pretty basic)
We all know that you can't land a gyrocopter in a crab angle because you
might tip over. Why, then, don't they use castor type wheels, or some other
wheel setup where all wheels can swivel in any direction? I think that this
would allow the craft to roll in the direction of the momentum preventing
tipping over, but would it completely eliminate handling on the ground?
Could the rudder alone be enough to steer on the ground?

-Just wondering



Some gyroplanes do have a castering, or semi-castering front wheel, of
course the mains don't castor, but why would you need them to? A x-wind
landing in a gyro is not much different from one in an airplane. You
apply cyclic into the wind to eliminate drift, and use rudder to align
the nose with the runway. If the x-wind component excedes your limits,
you can land on a taxiway, if permitted, or line up on a diagonal
approach to the runway, or choose an alternate airport. Experienced gyro
pilots can land accross most runways, if necessary. It is always a good
idea to carry a bit more power when making a landing in a significant
x-wind. It makes a go-around easier, and provides you with a little more
time to get straightened out if caught by a gust.