>
> > 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
>
> Watch it Paul!!
>
> Moller is calling!
>
> TJ :))
>
> I don't get the connection. It is nothing like a Moller Skycar.
>
> Roadable airplanes ARE flyable. There are no technological
> break throughs required. The vast majority of the
> parts are off the shelf.
>
> The main challenge is minimizing the weight penalty.
> Most roadable aircraft designs use twin booms for the tail but
> the Ruttan Canard configuration  is a better fit with roadable
> requirements IMHO. To my knowledge nobody has tried the canard
> configuration yet.
>
> Paul Lamar

Paul,

I admire your drive to make a airplane roadable or a car flyable,
 BUT either way you go, it is not very practical in any foreseeable future.
Once you are done with it it will not fly that well NOR drive that well AND it will cost a fortune.

Better to keep the wheels down and the wings up.

HOWEVER both should be powered by a rotary!

Cheers,

Thomas J.

History would indicate so but I disagree. With modern high
strength to weight ratio materials and the canard configuration
the aircraft performance does not have to suffer that much.

There are a zillion VW rear suspension and drive line, three wheel
custom motorcycles on US roads and they suffer no performance penalties
what so ever. Particularly with Mazda rotary engine power.

Sure it won't be as fast as a Long EZ but it will get you there
a lot faster than a car. Especially to remote areas like Baja.

An honest person could make some money selling well designed
kits.

--------------------------------

With the gear retracted there will be near zero aerodynamic
penalties.

Paul Lamar

I like that idea, would like to develop it. But I don't have the capital, it
would take the involvement of interested investors. It's similar to my LSA
canard idea, if the weight could be kept down it could even be a LSA, no
pilot's license required.

http://www.bridgingworlds.com/LSA.htm

Perry