Rotorsport UK Calidus

Single Piston

The Rotorsport UK Calidus is a British two-seat autogyro that represents the modern evolution of Juan de la Cierva's 1920s rotorcraft concept—an aircraft that uses an unpowered rotor for lift and a conventional propeller for thrust. Built in Nottinghamshire since the early 2000s, the Calidus holds a full UK CAA type certificate under CS-27 (Light Rotorcraft) standards, making it one of the few factory-built gyroplanes certified for commercial operations including flight training. Its tandem seating configuration, open cockpit, and distinctive pre-rotator system give it exceptional short-field performance: the aircraft can lift off in under 100 feet and land in even less, with a stall speed around 28 knots that makes it nearly impossible to enter an unrecoverable spin. The Calidus cruises at roughly 70 knots with a never-exceed speed of 87 knots, powered by a Rotax 914 turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 115 horsepower. Its autorotative rotor means that engine failure simply converts it into a descending autogyro rather than a powerless glider—the rotor continues spinning freely, providing controlled descent. While the type never achieved the production numbers of fixed-wing light sport aircraft, it carved out a niche among pilots seeking the low-speed handling and visibility of a helicopter without the complexity or operating costs. SkyMeter has tracked 2 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with routes observed.