Cierva C.17

C.17
Role	Experimental autogyro
Manufacturer	Cierva
Designer	Juan de la Cierva
First flight	23 October 1928
Number built	2

The Cierva C.17 was an experimental autogyro built by Cierva in England in 1928, in association with Avro (which designated it their Type 612). It was an attempt to build upon the successful Cierva C.8 design using the smaller, more streamlined fuselage of an Avro Avian IIIA as a starting point. The type was found to be underpowered, and when the first attempt at fitting a more powerful engine still did not result in acceptable performance, the design was abandoned.

Variants

C.17

Powered by a 67-kW (90-hp) A.D.C. Cirrus III piston engine.

C.17 Mk II

Powered by an Avro Alpha radial piston engine.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 28 ft 9 in (8.77 m)
• Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 3 in (10.14 m)
• Height: 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m)
• Main rotor area: 869 ft² (80.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,010 lb (458 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,445 lb (655 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × ADC Cirrus III, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
• Range: 210 miles (338 km)
• Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 254. 
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 891 Sheet 29. 
• britishaircraft.co.uk

See also