>>>>> 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
>>>>

------------------------------
>>>> 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,

-------------------------
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> One of the design parameters one needs to pay a lot of attention
>>> to on a roadable is the weight of the wheels and tires.
>>> I suggest dragster forged aluminum front wheels and tires at 15 by 3

1/2

>>> for the rear. You need diameter as the cruise RPM on
>>> the ground using the VW tx requires a rather large diameter
>>> tire.
>>>
>>> The front tire can be a light weight motorcycle wheel
>>> and tire. Motor cycle disc brakes will also keep the weight
>>> down.
>>>
>>> Paul Lamar
>>


My suggestion for the structure is to use 3/4 inch thick foam carbon fiber

sandwiches

in a box like structure. 1 to 10 layers of carbon according to the stress
and one layer of glass to insulate it from metal attachments.

The engine is cantilevered from an aluminum plate between engine and gear
box. The prop shaft is large diameter carbon fiber Charlie Airsmen
style. Prop is carbon fiber Perry Mick style large diameter hub.

Front suspension will not be the traditional motorcycle type. I have
a new design I used on a Breedlove 3 wheel land speed record car that
distributes the loads better into the structure. Went 400 MPH no
problems.

What do you think of the structure Vance? Got any suggestions for
improvements or changes?

Paul Lamar

I often dream and sketch a concept of a very light sport car where the body
itself
is the major "frame" - semi monocoque like many composite planes. A car that
would make a Lotus 7 look like a truck. The sills and the seats can be major
sections in bending and torsion. You are not looking for F1 handling - use
rubber bushes for suspension and engine mounting - carbon BI over foam
core - approach the structural elegance of the egg.. wheels coolie hat cones
with narrow high pressure tires - you would be able to carry the whole thing
on the back of a bicycle - except for that overweight Wankel.
Vance

OK Vance give us a sketch :)

Paul Lamar