Wing Cdr. K.H. Wallis designed the WA 116 as a much refined version of existing single seat autogyros, and one which was safer to fly. The rotorhead featured a patented offset Gimbal system which allowed this aircraft to be flown "hands off". A pre-production aircraft was built by Beagle Aircraft Ltd. in 1962 and was evaluated by the British Army, and although no orders were forthcoming, Wallis Autogyros Ltd. decided to proceed with the manufacture of an initial batch of twelve. A two seat version was flown in 1969. The aircraft illustrated above is being flown "hands off" by Wing Cdr. Wallis.

G-ARRT                c/n 2              United Kingdom

Single seat autogyro first flown in 1961