McCulloch J-2
McCulloch Aircraft · United States · first flew 1962 · light aircraft
The McCulloch J-2 was an American four-seat gyroplane of the early 1960s, one of the most ambitious attempts to market a practical rotary-wing personal aircraft to the general aviation consumer.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- four-seat gyroplane
- tandem rotor blades
- pusher propeller
The four-seat enclosed fuselage with a pusher propeller at the rear and unpowered rotor overhead is distinctive; it looks like a stubby light aeroplane with a rotor mast rather than a traditional autogyro or helicopter.
Specifications
- The McCulloch J-2 has a length of 7.4 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.1 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 171 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
McCulloch Aircraft developed the J-2 as a production gyroplane intended to offer helicopter-like slow-speed handling combined with fixed-wing safety margins. The pusher-propeller configuration and fully enclosed cabin gave it a more conventional appearance than earlier autogyros. It received FAA certification in 1962.
Variants
A small number were built before the programme ended; the type remained the largest certified American gyroplane of its era.
Where you'll see it
Sold to private owners in the United States; never widely adopted due to the niche nature of gyroplane operation and competition from conventional light aircraft.
Related aircraft
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