A Dream of Flight

This is the only book written by Igor Bensen. In it, he describes his efforts to develop the ideal personal aircraft. Starting in 1953, Bensen built a series of helicopters and gyroplanes (Gyroplanes are helicopter-like flying machines whose rotor blades receive power not from an engine but from the force of air as the machine moves forward).

Many photographs in this book from the Bensen archives show his unusual designs, including Gyrocopters with as many as six engines, one- and two-seat Gyrocopters, jet-powered helicopters, a multi-engine flying platform and many others.

Bensen tells about his first crash, his near misses while flying air shows with the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels, and his world speed record flights.

This book also includes a biography of Igor Bensen written by Paul Bergen Abbott based on a personal interview with Bensen. The biography tells how the young boy Igor became fascinated while watching birds in his native Russia. After he and his family fled the Russian revolution and came to the United States, Bensen pursued his dream of flight.

Along with developing many unique flying machines, Bensen invented the idea of selling his machine in a kit so people could build their own aircraft, a very popular practice today. His small rear-engine Gyrocopter became the basic design for all modern gyroplanes. He also founded the Popular Rotorcraft Association, a worldwide organization that promotes flying amateur-built helicopters and gyroplanes.

Bensen’s book is unique, a personal account written by one of aviation’s most interesting adventurers.