Author Topic: Personal Aircraft (Read 1102 times)

Sandman · « **on:** January 02, 2003, 11:09:52 AM »

http://www.airscooter.com

Gunthr · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2003, 11:48:00 AM »

That looks interesting. But the low ceiling ( <50') would make me think twice. Its probably quite expensive too, looking at the complexity.

How about this? gyrocopter

You can't hover, but you can at least get some altitude for cross-country. Gyrocopters are simple and relatively cheap, too.

whgates3 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2003, 11:59:24 AM »

a lot of cool personal A/C out there. that looks like one of 'em...PUL-10

Moller M400 Skycar? how long has this guy been at it? years...they've done teathered flights, though...$500,000 a pop

of course both of these need cannon in the nose

Kieran · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2003, 12:33:09 PM »

The ceiling is a non-issue. It will certainly go higher, but how comfortable you'll be doing it is another matter. That control setup has me wondering though... way too simplified. No collective? What provides lateral thrust to turn it on the yaw axis?

One thing I do know from my R/C experience... the tolerance for parts fit is much tighter on a chopper than a fixed-wing craft. Set that puppy down a little hard and bend something a tad. Next hop could be very interesting.

-ammo- · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2003, 12:39:38 PM »

Fixed wing for me baby:)
I can see me in something like this. I would much rather have the turbo prop engine though

Eagler · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2003, 12:47:33 PM »

neighbor picked up one of these for around $6k - 2k for the chute and 4k for the motor/seat harness

Sandman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:09:08 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kieran
The ceiling is a non-issue. It will certainly go higher, but how comfortable you'll be doing it is another matter. That control setup has me wondering though... way too simplified. No collective? What provides lateral thrust to turn it on the yaw axis?

One thing I do know from my R/C experience... the tolerance for parts fit is much tighter on a chopper than a fixed-wing craft. Set that puppy down a little hard and bend something a tad. Next hop could be very interesting.

As near as I can tell... there isn't a yaw issue because the rotors counter-rotate. Kinda like a Russian Hormone helo.

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:15:40 PM »

That's what he's getting at sandman...

There doesn't seem to be a way to control yaw... that is, to rotate the vehicle. Always pointing in the same direction would make it kinda rough.

Though... to answer the previous question. Its conceivable that yaw could be controlled by increasing or decreasing RPM difference between the two blades... though I find it difficult to believe this is how he'd do it.

AKDejaVu

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:17:23 PM »

Looking at the photo a little closer, it appears the only way to control yaw is with forward momentum using the foot pedals attatched to the forward "rudder" (that nose piece).

AKDejaVu

Kieran · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:27:43 PM »

Ah! So, you would have to have a minimal head of steam up to be able to yaw... see, that is kinda what bugged me looking at it. I start thinking about landing, crosswind tolerances, that sort of thing. It's easy to picture a perfect near-vertical descent, but the truth is probably more akin to a shallow approach with a flair right at touchdown. More evidence would be the pontoons (shock absorption? Stability on landing?). The thing looks like it might be rather easy to ball up on a landing...

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:37:47 PM »

I was thinking the same thing keiren. The pontoons are definately a shock absorber.

Take a look at the pics of the Air Car if you want to get slightly confused. I wonder if its done much more than launch and land. Those engines don't appear to be rotatable... and there isn't really any forward lifting structure.

The wing plane is the only thing that looks remotely practical... though I view something like that about the same as the BD-5... just big enough and fast enough to plant you 6 feet under without the extra expense of a coffin or a burrial.

AKDejaVu

Gunthr · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:37:56 PM »

Quote

neighbor picked up one of these for around $6k - 2k for the chute and 4k for the motor/seat harness

Eagler, I was thinking about getting one of these back-pack powered chutes, but my landing gear is not adequate...

(bad knees)

Eagler · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2003, 01:43:06 PM »

it looks like a blast

He lent me a video on it- put to music- really cool

just wonder how much noise you hear as you are cruising around ...

you could always get the one that has a tri-cycle go cart thingy instead of the seat:

hawk220 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2003, 02:04:58 PM »

Here's what I'm waiting for.. (back in the 50's, they promised we would all have them by now...)

Kieran · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2003, 02:14:35 PM »

Ultralight pilot here... flew Eipper Quicksilvers. They used modified snowmobile engines, and sound pretty much like your typical two-stroke wailing away a short distance from your ear. It's loud, at least by my estimation. You wouldn't be able to talk to a passenger sitting next to you, I can tell you that.