Gyrocopters & Autogyros for Sale
Gyroplanes, autogyros and gyrocopters.
About Gyrocopters & Autogyros for Sale
Gyrocopters — also called gyroplanes or autogyros — sit in a category of their own. They look like helicopters, fly like aircraft, and have a unique fan-base of pilots who would not fly anything else. The rotor on a gyrocopter is unpowered — it autorotates, kept turning by the airflow as the machine moves forward. That makes the gyro genuinely incapable of the kind of catastrophic engine-out scenario that haunts helicopter pilots: lose the engine and you simply descend gently, autorotating to a landing in 200–300 feet.
The modern gyrocopter market is dominated by European manufacturers: AutoGyro (Germany) with the Calidus, Cavalon and MTOsport; Magni Gyro (Italy) with the M16 Tandem Trainer and M22; ELA Aviación (Spain) with the ELA 07/10; and Xenon. These are not the rickety open-frame gyros of the 1960s — modern enclosed-cabin gyrocopters cruise at 90–110 knots, have full glass panels, parachute systems, heated cabins and 5-hour fuel endurance.
On MarketplaceAviation we list gyrocopters worldwide. Listings include rotor hours and overhaul status, Rotax engine times, blade history and the all-important pre-rotator condition — items that drive value in a market that has grown from niche to mainstream in the last decade.
Most popular models in this category
AutoGyro Calidus
German enclosed-cabin tandem — the modern standard.
AutoGyro Cavalon
Side-by-side enclosed cabin — touring favourite.
AutoGyro MTOsport / MTOfree
Open-cabin classic — affordable entry to AutoGyro line.
Magni M16 Tandem Trainer
Italian icon — over 1,000 produced, training standard.
Magni M22 Voyager
Side-by-side enclosed touring gyrocopter.
ELA 07 / ELA 10
Spanish-built — competitive pricing and good resale.
Xenon RST / 4
Italian/Czech production — enclosed cabin options.
What to verify before you buy
Rotor blade hours and condition
Gyrocopter rotor blades are critical components with finite life (typically 1,000–1,500 hours depending on manufacturer). Verify blade serial numbers match the logbook, blade time, and any history of static rollover or hard landings — a damaged blade is a no-fly until replacement.
Pre-rotator system
Most modern gyrocopters have a hydraulic pre-rotator that spins the rotor up to flight speed before takeoff. Verify the system operates smoothly, the drive belt or hydraulic lines are in good condition, and there is no slippage at full pre-rotation RPM.
Rotax engine — same checks as ULM
Most gyrocopters run Rotax 912 ULS or 915 iS engines. TBO 2,000 hours / 15-year calendar. Verify the rubber line replacement (5-year), carburetor diaphragm condition, and the engine has been operated regularly (long sitting is worse than high time).
Pilot training and licence type
Gyrocopter rating is separate from helicopter and fixed-wing — it requires dedicated training. European gyrocopters are usually ultralight-class (registered as VDS in Italy, ULM in France, microlight in the UK) requiring the corresponding ultralight licence with gyro endorsement. Transition from fixed-wing typically takes 20–35 hours of dual.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used gyrocopter cost? +
An older open-cabin Magni M16 or first-generation MTOsport in flyable condition trades between €40,000 and €70,000. A clean modern AutoGyro Calidus or Cavalon with Rotax 912 typically sits at €80,000–€140,000. Latest Cavalon Pro with Rotax 915 iS turbo reaches €180,000–€220,000 new.
Are gyrocopters safe? +
Modern gyrocopters have an excellent safety record when flown by trained pilots. The autorotating rotor makes catastrophic engine-out non-events — you simply land gently. Most accidents in the gyro world historically were related to pilot training shortcuts (transitioning from fixed-wing without proper gyro-specific training). Today's certified training programs have driven the safety record significantly upward.
Can I learn to fly a gyrocopter as a beginner? +
Yes — many pilots start directly with a gyrocopter licence. Initial training typically takes 30–50 hours of dual flight plus theory, similar to a fixed-wing ultralight licence. Cost is comparable to or slightly above a fixed-wing ULM training. Some pilots find the gyrocopter handling actually more intuitive than fixed-wing for short-field operations.
Are gyrocopter listings free on MarketplaceAviation? +
Yes. Listing your gyrocopter is free worldwide — include rotor hours, engine times, instrument fit, and any modifications. No commission on the sale.