Re: A flying (or hovering) motorcycle

 

It is an interesting design.  I'd be interested in knowing about the
control mechanisms.

Knowing just one or two things about control systems, I find
tricopters interesting:

http://fpvpilot.com/FPVTricopter.aspx

I'm not sure how you get control with just two rotors unless the CG is
far below the center of lift.

Also, I'm not positive that the rider wearing a chute is a good idea.
Those rotors are pulling air downward, and deploying a chute at the
wrong time would probably suck it through the rotors.  In fact, with
some sort of a serious control malfunction, it may be difficult for
the rider to get clear of the vehicle, except below it (which is
another bad idea).  I'd like to know how they plan to do that, too.

Something like a Cirrus is OK because if the aircraft is in forward
flight (perhaps out of control or with a control problem) and you pop
the chute, you just slow it way down (the chute trails for a bit).  It
doesn't seem so simple for the beast described.

All very interesting, and a great way to die and make the 6 p.m. news.

DFC

 
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/06/09/hoverbike-the-twin-rotor-bmw-boxer-powered-flying-motorcycle/

It's the same concept as the Piasecki Flying Jeep from 1958.  It worked
just fine in the sense that it could take off, fly a profile, and land.  
Big downsides were that with 1100 horsepower worth of gas turbines it
topped out at 85 mph and had a range of 35 miles and that it was reputed
to be a real handful even for very skilled pilots.

The Hoverbike doesn't look like it introduces any new elements to the
concept so I suspect that its performance is going to be little better.  

The Israelis are making a serious effort to develop a practical machine
based on the concept <http://www.urbanaero.com/> .

 wrote:


http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/06/09/hoverbike-the-twin-rotor-bmw-boxer-powered-flying-motorcycle/

The Hoverbike looks like it would immediately flip over and drive you
into the ground like a tent stake.

Sorta of an R1100 jackhammer.

This one seems to actually work.

http://martinjetpack.com/