X-Mozilla-Keys:
Bill Freeman wrote:
Paul,
I have discussed the Skycar with Jeff (Jeff please
correct the parts of this I get wrong) several times and it
*seems like* the real-life inside story is:
1) If Moller can get the 'louvers' working in the ducts,
it will at least fly. The HP is there, the thrust is probably
there. Range??? Payload???? Cost????
2) Moller has sacrificed a LOT to get vertical TO capability.
Unfortunately the exit air velocity is so high (high disk loading
in helo terms) that the noise and collateral damage (lifting off
blacktop and the like is probable) will guarantee that you will have
to find a large area of concrete far away from any buildings and
located in an area that can deal with a *very* loud TO. Did
I hear anyone say AIRPORT ? Why VTO,then?
3) Henry Ford (the first) was planning a repeat of his Model T
success in the lat 1940's and was seriously committed to a fiberglass
phenolic structure super-affordable personal aircraft. The FAA
told him that they would put every possible roadblock in his path to
keep the skies from being overcrowded (in their view). My guess is
that the same mindset still exists, but just hasn't been tested since
then.
4) Moller seems to be *at least* 25% bullshit artist, which hurts his
overall credibility and makes a lot of folks really Bede-shy, or is that
Delorean-shy, actually I meant to say Geschwender-shy.
Anyway, the Carter Copter will have this market completely sewed up
in just a few weeks, just as soon as they can install a new 600 HP
NASCAR V8 to replace the 600 hp NASCAR V6 that blew its guts
some very short period into the testing program. Of course, that is
after they build the fourth new design ultralight hyperthrust all composite
prop to replace the one that just exploded (or is it fifth?) :-)
Barnum was right.
Bill
I am not convinced Bill. There is a real market for vertical takeoff
aircraft that fly at high speed. Moller's solution looks better than
anything else in view. Perhaps it is the last aviation frontier.
The market for million dollar aircraft is small enough that airspace
congestion is not an issue.
If you can afford a million dollar aircraft like this and the fuel
to fly it you can afford a lot of land for your house and a 10 foot
by 10 foot concreate take off pad. Heck Boeing has sold 50 BBJ's at
35 million a crack. 50% of them to private individules.
BTW Carter Copter rebuilt the V6 and did not put in a V8.
Paul Lamar
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