CREDIT: @Kerbango for the cool radar screen. I changed its shape to fit my design.

Build inspired by the 1936 sci-fi film “Things To Come”.

CONTROLS:

Ceiling Mounted Cyclic to right of seat for Pitch, Roll, and Taxi Steering.
Collective to left of seat for lift adjustments.
Push/Pull Throttle on stand.
Small Trim Lever just above throttle for fine trim adjustments at higher altitudes.
Brake Pedal to right of console.
Small lever for AG8.
Switches for AG1 & AG2.

TAKE-OFF

Set VTOL up to first mark (Collective Lever). Apply full Throttle; the craft will self launch at about 150mph. When clear of the ground, gently Pitch up to 10 degrees angle and throttle back to 70%. Adjust VTOL (Collective Lever) for desired climb; see below for flight handling and limits.

FLIGHT HANDLING

Best setting for optimum cruise is 70% Throttle. VTOL (Collective Lever) can be used to set required climb/trim, but at higher altitude/faster rotor speeds, best to reduce this to neutral and use only the Trim slider, along with gentle pitch inputs to maintain desired flight profile.

Use gentle Roll and Pitch for turns, and limit maximum pitch up angle to about 15 degrees; A red warning light flashes on the Pitch Angle gauge when 15 degrees is exceeded. Keep roll angle less than 45 degrees. Warning lights flash when 40 degrees is exceeded.

All changes in direction using Roll and Pitch Cyclic are best done gently: aggressive Pitch movements not advised.

LANDING

Set VTOL (Collective Lever) and Trim to neutral. Reduce Throttle to 10% or less. Use Pitch to keep descent angle below the horizon at about 5 to 15 degrees down, then flare gently when near the ground. Zero throttle descent and landings will have the lowest forward speed on touchdown, with a little practise.

TAXIING

Use 5% Throttle and Roll to steer. Make sure VTOL (Collective Lever) is set to neutral; raising VTOL could cause the craft to back flip if the rotor is still at speed on the ground. (Note to DEVs: rotor brake please!)

ACTIONS

AG1 Landing lights.
AG2 Cabin Lights.
AG3 Small Desk Lamp.

AG8 off disables engines, opens doors and lowers ladder. AG8 on raises ladder, closes doors and enables engines. Don’t turn AG8 off in flight!

My attempt to emulate the 'copter aircraft from the classic 1936 sc-fi film “Things To Come”.

I wanted to build this as a pure Gyroplane even though in the film it's a copter, and I didnt try for a replica; instead I used it as inspiration with my own changes, including: A larger 6 blade free-spinning rotor. Twin contra-rotating props. Wider and different looking undercarriage. Different door and ladder setup. Crazy (and fiddly to build) interior. Overall design is larger.

Big learning curve discovering how varying rotor speeds affect flight handling, but fun to fly and to make slow landings with practise!