Skyworks Aeronautics ScoutHawk

ScoutHawk
Skyworks Aeronautics Corp.
Chicago, Illinois, USA
www.skyworks-aero.com

Skyworks Aeronautics is the world leader in the science and technology of gyronautics, focusing on the design and development of crewed and uncrewed gyroplanes and gyrocopters with gas-powered, hybrid-electric and fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) options depending upon the aircraft. The company's goals are to make air travel safer, more cost-efficient and effective. The company began in 1986 as Groen Brothers Aviation and then became Groen Aeronautics Corporation. On April 24, 2017, Groen Aeronautics became Skyworks Global which eventually lead to its current company name, Skyworks Aeronautics.

The company is developing the ScoutHawk, which is a tandem two seat clean-sheet gyrocopter which can be outfitted with multiple powertrains such a gas powered engine, fuel cells or use batteries to power the pusher propeller. The ScoutHawk is a versatile aircraft with pilot optional flying and can be used to carry passengers or cargo.

The aircraft has multiple safety features including the inherent safety the gyrocopter brings to aviation through its freely rotating rotorblade used for lift, less a transmission and gearboxes. Its sleek modern aerodynamic and simple design is a big plus for any aircraft. The aircraft has been thought out thoroughly, from its extremely useful canopy (providing excellent views for the pilot/passenger), to its aerodynamic design to maximize laminar airflow, to its robust fixed 2-wheeled tricycle landing gear all increase the safety of the aircraft while decreasing its manufacturing and maintenance costs.

The company foresees their ScoutHawk to be used for both civilian and military use, due to its ability to service many types of air missions. The company recommends the aircraft can be used for air taxi service, search & rescue, powerline & pipeline inspections, air cargo, agriculture use, law enforcement, border patrol and can be used for multiple military missions.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Gyrocopter, capable of using multiple powertrains
• Piloting: Pilot optional
• Capacity: 2 passengers with tandem seating or uncrewed
• Cruise speed with best range (piston engine): 75 mph (120 km/h)
• Maximum speed (piston engine): 138 mph (222 km/h)
• Rotorblade: 1 rotorblade
• Propellers: 1 pusher propeller
• Electric Motors: 1
• Power source: Piston, hybrid-electric or eVTOL
• Maximum payload, piston powertrain: 920 lb (417 kg)
• Empty weight: 770 lb (349 kg)
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: Canopy windows allow a full view in all direction for excellent visibility and spectacular views
• Landing gear: Fixed 2-wheeled tricycle landing gear
• Safety Features: Simplicity of the nature of a gyrocopter increases the safety of the aircraft. For example, there are no transmissions or gearboxes which reduces weight, has fewer parts, there is less maintenance and increased simplicity, which increases safety.

Gyroplane Definitions:

• Autogiro: The original term, trademarked and licensed by Juan de la Cierva (Spain), for an aircraft using an autorotating rotor for lift plus one or more propellers for thrust.
• Autogyro: The general term for a VTOL autorotating aircraft using an unpowered rotor for lift and one or more propellers for forward flight and one that was not a licensed Cierva Autogiro. The US FAA recognizes the name “gyroplane” instead.
• Gyrocopter: This term was trademarked by Igor Bensen and the Bensen Aircraft Corp. for its gyroplanes. 
• Gyroglider: A Bensen trademarked name for its towed autorotating gyroplanes.
• Gyrocraft: A general term for all autorotating aircraft.
• Gyrodyne: An autogyro that is capable of VTOL and/or hovering, as well as extended forward flight in autorotation (i.e. a powered gyroplane).
• Gyronautics: A term coined by Skyworks Global for “the science of sustained autorotative flight”
• Gyroplane: A general term for an aircraft that cruises in autorotative flight (aka an “autogyro”).
• Heliplane: A US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program from 2005 to 2009 for a high-speed tip-jet rotor gyrodyne.

Company Insights:

• Pitchbook

Resources:

• Skyworks Aeronautics website
• Skyworks Aeronautics Facebook
• Skyworks Aeronautics Twitter
• Skyworks Aeronautics LinkedIn
• Skyworks Aeronautics Wikipedia
• GBA-DARPA Heliplane Wikipedia
• Autogyro Wikipedia
• Article: One Step Beyond, Rotor & Wing, Feb. 2007
• Article: Groen Aeronautics Re-Branded As Skyworks Global, PR Newswire, Apr. 24, 2017
• Radio Interview: Retired Brig. General John E. Michel, Director Skyworks Global, National Public Radio, Dec. 4, 2017
• Article: Gyronautics: Airplanes Without Runways, Skyworks, Jun. 5, 2018
• Article: Advantageous Autorotation, Vertiflite, Jul./Aug. 2018
• Article: Transforming Tennis Courts into Airports: How Skyworks Global’s VertiJet™ is Poised to Transform Private Business Travel, Medium.com, Feb. 1, 2019
• Article: GYROPLANES: From Novelty to Mainstream?, Vertiflite, Mar./Apr. 2019
• Article: Skyworks Global Announces Collaboration with Scaled Composites to Develop the VertiJet™ Demonstrator, EIN Presswire, Jul. 8, 2019
• Article: Article: Skyworks Global collaborates with Scaled Composites to develop VertiJet demonstrator, Vertical Magazine, Jul. 9, 2019
• Article: Update: Skyworks Global, Scaled Composites bank on VertiJet’s tip-jet design, Janes, Jul. 12, 2019
• Article: Skyworks to offer U.S. Army new combat gyrodyne aircraft, Defense Blog, Jul. 14, 2019
• Article: Old Gyrocopters Could Be the Funky Flying Cars of the Future, Wired, Aug. 12, 2019
• Article: The Fairey Rotodyne, the vertical takeoff and landing airliner time forgot, Ars Technica, Feb. 15, 2020
• Article: Skyworks Global eGyro, Global Aviator, Nov. 26, 2020
• Article: Skyworks Aeronautics Announces $100 Million Investment Commitment from GEM as Company Seeks to Go Public in Coming Months, Business Wire, Feb. 5, 2021
• Article: Skyworks Aeronautics plans to resurrect gyrodynes for the eVTOL age, New Atlas, Feb. 8, 2021
• Article: An Interview With John Michel, Executive Director At Skyworks Aeronautics, Tech Company News, Feb. 12, 2021
• Article: Skyworks Aeronautics: Something Old, Something New, Vertiflite, Jan/Feb 2022