There is a rule of thumb for electric powered fixed wing models that says something like:
50 watts/lb.......barely flyable
100 watts/lb.....sport flyer performance
150 watts/lb......really high performance.

In general autogyros require more power per pound than fixed wing aircraft due largely to
the greater drag that the rotor induces.

So does anyone have a thought on how much power per pound (or perhaps rotor diameter) that
should be used for autogyros: barely flyable, sport performance...etc.

BillF
Waiting for the snow in Wisconsin

Bill,
I think your numbers are a little aggressive. You can do pretty good 3D flying
on 100 watts/pound. 50 watts/pound works for sport flying. I have a cub that
flies scale like, including loops and rolls on about 55 watts per pound.
My Gt17 flies fine at 19ounces with around 90-100 watts full throttle for loops,
and 1/2-3/4 throttle for climb and cruise. My rule of thumb is about 75 watts/pound for
small electric gyrocopters.
mickey

Hi Mickey...
I think that you are about right. Certainly gyros need more power than
fixed wings.

Bill