All-around winner Can't pick between fixed-wing or rotary? Get the best of both worlds in a gyroplane B Y J I L L W. TA L L M A N I USED TO CALL IT A GYROCOPTER. NOW I CALL IT A GYROPLANE. A gyroplane is not a helicopter, nor is it an airplane precisely-but rather a hybrid of the two that makes it a fun, quirky, and sporty entrant to recreational flying. No matter what you've flown in your aviation career, an hour in a gyroplane will make you question your life goals and start planning how you can join this small, adventurous segment of aviation. P H OT O G R A P H Y B Y C H R I S R O S E 66 | AOPA PILOT January 2020