Go to the link for pictures (unless someone wants to transfer them to this thread).

http://gearpatrol.com/blog/...twin-rotorhoverbike/

Every once in a while something comes along so crazy, so unearthly cool, we have to shout it from the rooftops. Today just happens to be that once in a while, so feast your eyes on the BMW boxer engine powered Hoverbike. Framed around an 1,170cc 4-stroke BMW boxer engine that powers the twin rotors, the Hoverbike was the brainchild of Australian inventor, Chris Malloy. Malloy claims that the Hoverbike’s thrust to weight ratio should enable it to elevate to 10,000 feet and reach a speed of 173 mph (this begs the need for a good parachute and industrial strength body armor). Yowza. The rest of the Hoverbike is a Kevlar reinforced carbon fiber and foam core frame and exotic Tasmanian oak propellers. All controls are handlebar mounted, including speed, pitch, turning, vertical and horizontal travel. Using most of his hard earned funds to build this atomic salad shooter, Mr. Malloy is looking for investors and fluid dynamics engineers to bring his dream to production. In the meantime, we’ll be holding out hope for a test drive flight. To see more photos of the prototype he’s developed so far, keep reading on the next page.
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Pretty Cool Idea IMO. Didn't say it was safe.

Who needs some dang fly'n car?

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Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 06-12-2011).]

A 1200cc flying cheese slicer? I'm so in

quote Originally posted by skuzzbomer: A 1200cc flying cheese slicer? I'm so in

Salad Shooter, Meat Shreader, etc............. Still could be one heck of a ride.

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Ron

Picture show only park or tethered product?

Meaning they haven't solve control issues? Easy to control w/ 4 tethers....

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

It was another WWII pun... but yeah, sounds exciting. In a "crap yourself scared" kind of way.

When they get it lookin like the one in Robotech, let me know.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 06-12-2011).]

Price: $40,000 (estimated)

I’ll take 2.

Can we say human quisenart? (SP)





Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.

Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Interesting use of tethers for stability control. I like how guys like this, who have barely hovered in ground effect, can confidently predict an operational ceiling of 10,000 feet. It looks a few other important issues, like stability and control, have yet to be addressed.

All he needs to add is a cruise airspeed claim of 350 knots and the cycle (pun intended) will be complete.

The biggest issue is that the driver has to be very light. I'm guessing 165-175lbs. It probably won't work for heavier guys. I looked into the jetpack international product a few years ago and the heaviest rider can only be 180lbs or the unit will not lift off.

I was hoping for something more like this...

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: The biggest issue is that the driver has to be very light. I'm guessing 165-175lbs. It probably won't work for heavier guys. I looked into the jetpack international product a few years ago and the heaviest rider can only be 180lbs or the unit will not lift off.

And here I was trying to figure out how to sling load under it.

Marvin is correct, though I have no doubt it will produce lift, I wanted to see how he was controlling that lift. I can't tell from the photos if his rotors are articulated or not but, I doubt it. In addition, to even consider his "claims", I'm gonna have to see something to stabilize that thing once he's out of ground effect. I'm doubting he can control it in ground effect but, 173 mph and 10,000 feet agl. Let me put it this way, I'm out of the test pilot business.

But, I do think it's an interesting concept that someone with money should look into.

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Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 06-12-2011).]

I found a video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuGCnn67G58

not really exciting but kinda cool to hear it.

You gotta remember, this is a dude developing this with his own free time and money. I think it is bad ass, even though I doubt anything will ever come of it.

That thing rocks!
The problem is, it probably rolls, too!

quote Originally posted by blackrams: And here I was trying to figure out how to sling load under it. Marvin is correct, though I have no doubt it will produce lift, I wanted to see how he was controlling that lift. I can't tell from the photos if his rotors are articulated or not but, I doubt it. In addition, to even consider his "claims", I'm gonna have to see something to stabilize that thing once he's out of ground effect. I'm doubting he can control it in ground effect but, 173 mph and 10,000 feet agl. Let me put it this way, I'm out of the test pilot business. But, I do think it's an interesting concept that someone with money should look into.

If you follow all the links, you'll come to an explanation that he has vanes under each fan to give a "vectored thrust" kind of thing. I'm no pilot, but he seems to at least have given some thought to controlling this beast. Meaning it may not kill him till the third, or sixth, flight. If it doesn't, would that be a workable setup?

quote Originally posted by Zeb: If you follow all the links, you'll come to an explanation that he has vanes under each fan to give a "vectored thrust" kind of thing. I'm no pilot, but he seems to at least have given some thought to controlling this beast. Meaning it may not kill him till the third, or sixth, flight. If it doesn't, would that be a workable setup?

Zeb,
Thanks for that info. I'll have to do a little more investigation.

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Ron