Brake and turn signals lights reside within the strakes.  I would love to
see this airplane fly if for no other reason than to witness it put on its
turn signals or brake lights when flying in the pattern.

Using Rutan's Solitaire  glider design would be a good place to start in a
proof of concept application motor glider. In addition  motor glider
propellers fold up to reduce drag.  Something you would need to do when
driving on the road unless you want to warn  the tailgater behind you.

As Paul pointed out so clearly, cars accelerate better than airplanes on

the

road so take advantage of it until takeoff and when the wheels become
unweighted they they automatically disengage from the drive train.

Now add a inflatable structure, extend a  propeller into the water and it
might just become  more complex to make than a Seawind:)

Doug in Japan

Doug,
Not too bad Doug, but you made some mistakes. Carbon isn't always the best
material for aircraft mainly because the weight is in the thickness of the
material considering 'Impact Strength' considerations and therefore the
resin content is just as high.The weight savings and cost are way out of
balance.
I do like that economy car and could see some wings on that. BTW which is
the front?
George (down under)

George,

The car is coming at you in the picture therefore the front is where the two
wheels are,  which is the stability point I was trying to make. BTW for the
majority of uses I would think it would be best to leave the wings at the
airport.


For your vertical orientated slide throttle shaft check out the seals the
use on air cylinders.  The profile is U - shaped in some of them with the
outer lip acting as a dust seal and the inner lip retaining the pressure.

Doug in Japan

The main factor in instability in that car is the high CG.
The roadable trike I am talking about has a low mounted
engine, pilot and passenger therefore high stability.

Paul Lamar


The Rotary Engine NewsLetter.  Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://www.rotaryeng.net
Copyright 1998-2005 All world wide rights reserved.