Gyro Flying Car?

[barnstorm2]

gyropilot site: http://www.gyropilot.co.uk/

led me to:

http://www.sparkdesign.nl/actueel/20...1013press.html


Looks cool but we might have to give them some hell about no HS!

[jos]

Hello,

I met Mr Bakker a few times. I also know about his intensions.
He personally told he is in no way interested if this thing can fly or not.
He is not hindered by any knowledge.
as you can read in the article

"Lift is generated by the forward speed produced by the foldable push propeller on the back"

"the convenience of fully integrated door to door transportation"

"The PALV is highly fuel-efficient and powered by an environmentally certified car engine"

"Like a helicopter, it has a Very Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (VSTOVL) capability making it possible to land practically anywhere. "

"even if the engine fails as it descends vertically rather than nose-diving"



The only thing I have seen over the last four years is a change from a Diesel engine to a Rotary engine. Surprisingly the rotary burns only 1 liter to 30 km.
Also the noise production is lowered now to 70 db
From what I know 70 db is the noise level of a modern car driving by at 50 meter distance.


JOS

[Hognose]

Any time you see an "aircraft" that appears to have been "styled" rather than "engineered," you need to recognise that if it flies well it will do so entirely by happenstance.

I do not rely on happenstance when I select machinery that will loft my pink body into the air. YMMV, or as my grandparents used to say, "It's a free country."

The history of flying cars, furthermore, is a baleful one, littered with broken promises. However, there was a more-or-less successful gyro car developed in WWII -- the Hafner Rotabuggy. On landing, it could leave the rotor and tail behind and became a conventional Jeep. The idea was to use these in the airborne landings on D-Day.



I have read that there was a powered version, but I have seen photos only of a gyroglider (as illustrated here). It flew more or less successfully, but in the end enough Airspeed Horsa gliders were available for the invasion that the Rotabuggy was not used. The Horsa could carry the Jeep and crew inside in greater safety.

That photo is an excerpt from my essay, "Lying Cars." (not a typo), available here:

http://hoglog.com/C1294810439/E2016644720/index.html

As you might have surmised, I am a flying-car cynktic (cynical skeptic).

cheers

-=K=-

[jucie]

I loved your essay, Kevin. Congratulations.