Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro (oz16386)
About this Plan
Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro. Free flight scale model for rubber power. Rotor span 22 in.
Direct submission to Outerzone.
Quote: "In response to Gage Van Vranken’s request, another plan that fits my unique aircraft bent - an autogiro.
I love the scene in the movie Rocketeer, as the Rocketeer and his love interest are rescued from the German dirigible flown by Howard Hughes.
So here’s plan for the Pitcairn PCA-2. The fuselage is built using the 'Ladder Jig' with the 1/16” fuselage bulkheads placed on the rungs of the ladder aligned with the marks on the bulkheads. Tutorial found on Tom Hallman’s video of his twin Beechcraft Staggerwing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUYY1dqfH8
The multi-dihedral wing is built using the solid rib with upper and lower 1/16” spars technique.
Empennage is made using 1/16” sq and sheet balsa.
Having never built an autogiro before I have no real knowledge of finding the CG. I did a short Google search and found some help on RCGroups site but they talk of using the built model and stringing it up at various locations….so Gage, you’re on your own there.
Thanks to Steve and Mary for this great site and please keep up the great work!
Regards,
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"
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ScaleType: This (oz16386) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.
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User comments
If memory serves correctly, the CG of an auto-gyro should be directly under the center of the rotor.Jan Novick - 11/11/2025
Jan... from A.I. (yeah, I know, but based on my own knowledge, I believe this is more or less correct:
"No, the center of gravity (CG) of an autogyro should ideally be slightly forward of the center of lift, not directly under the center of the rotor. This forward CG position is crucial for stability, as it creates a nose-down tendency that is balanced by the rotor's lift, allowing the pilot to maintain control. If the rotor's center of lift and the CG are aligned, the autogyro could become unstable.''
RC Yeager - 12/11/2025
CoG should be very little in front of rotor, but the negative dihedral of the rotor will lead to instability it should have positive dihedral as we know from the wings otherwise it will fall put of the sky. Another problem will be the angle of attack of the rotor as the air should pass from the underside to the top it is helpful when the axis points some degree to the back.
Matzito - 12/11/2025
Matzito.
The negative dihedral of the rotor it's only with the rotor stopped. When the rotor starts to rotate, the blades take horizontal position, thanks to the centrifugal force. And, in fly, the blades take positival dihedral because the weight of airframe.
Valeria367 - 12/11/2025
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- Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro (oz16386)
- Plan File Filesize: 362KB Filename: Pitcairn_PCA2_Autogiro_oz16386.pdf
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Scaling
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