How to build and fly a replica of a 100 years old autogiro, the C4

Carlos Martinez San Millan, Lead flight Test Engineer, AIRBUS Defense and Space (Spain)

Abstract

In January 17th 1923, the first flight of an aircraft with a rotor wing was made in Getafe, Spain. The aircraft was called Autogiro by his inventor, Juan de la Cierva, the model was the C4.

In 2023, 100 years later, a group of aeronautical enthusiast, including engineers, technicians and pilots, have built and successfully fly a replica of the C4.

With the intention to spread the knowledge of this amazing machine (the autogiro) and the centenary of this remarkable event in particular, this paper presents the process followed to design, build and fly a 100 years old gyroplane, the C4.