I had a brain storm today on a roadable aircraft.
It is always in the back of my feeble mind :)

I realized one of the unique features of the rotary
is its very simple e-shaft. If one makes it longer and
larger in diameter on the front end  one can get power out of both
ends. One end is mated to a stock VW transmission and the
other end uses one of Ken Welters 3:1 cog belt reduction drives.

You take off in first gear and get much better acceleration to
flying speed. This is due to the traction you get out of tires
as opposed to a highly slipping prop. As soon as you run out of
RPM in first you push in the clutch and shift into neutral.
the prop takes over.

For road work you remove the canard and main wings
and tow them behind you. The only drawback here is the weight
of the VW gear box and drive shafts.

Its a motor cycle on the ground as that circumvents a load of
EPA and DOT rules.

Paul Lamar

Paul

Been thinking of Mott's skycar again?  Come on be serious.  The way you guys
drive in California you would last about 5 minutes on the Santa Monica
Funway:)  Anyway  trikes are notoriously unstable on roads in the config.
you drew. Bucky Fuller and numerous solar car buffs have proven that point
again and again.  Nice dream but I've found out the hard way that products
with too many functions compromises performance and increases the chances of
malfunction.  BTW ...Can it float?:)


Doug in Japan


I assume you are speaking of amphibians :)
Depends on where the CG is.
Trikes are very very popular in California. Every Harley motor cycle
club that passes you on the freeway has one or two. Perhaps
they love the instability :)

Paul Lamar

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