A Gyrocopter looks like a small helicopter, but there is a big difference: the rotor is not driven by the engine. The rotor is driven instead by air flowing up through the rotor disc (whereas the driven rotor of a helicopter drives air down through the disc). This airflow creates a thrust on the rotor blades to drive them round (a phenomenon known as ‘autorotation’) which in turn creates lift. Just as a windmill is driven by the wind.
As the engine is not connected to the rotor in flight, if the engine were to stop, this would not pose an immediate safety risk to flight. The rotor would continue to turn under autorotation, generating lift to keep the aircraft airborne. This feature, as well as the very short take-off run and even shorter landing run (5-10m) makes the gyrocopter unique and one of the safest aircraft in the world.

Ultralight rotorcraft today are lightweight aircraft with a Maximum Take Off Weight not exceeding 450kgs (560 kgs EASA). Modern Gyrocopters offer great performance, comfort and safety that can not be compared to other aircraft types.

Another key feature of Gyrocopters versus Helicopters is the low price of purchase and operation. Thanks to the use of automotive fuel the cost of the operation is between 40-100 Euro per hour of flight, the same time in a small helicopter can cost 10 times more.