I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.
And not necessarily in that order. Australian Chris Malloy is the responsible party. Obviously it’s dangerous. I would also add that, although there is a short video of a grounded airflow visualization test, the only evidence I have seen that it actually flies are still images like the one above. So a hoax disclaimer also seems in order. Still, just look at that thing… [via Wired.com]
12 thoughts on “Hover Bike Prototype is Dubious, Awesome”
Anonymoussays:
Ground effect is in play here, so yeah, would need to see it at an altitude greater than a few feet. But even 10 feet or so would indicate that it can fly. I’m of two minds on this one, on the one hand I want to cheer him on in his insanity. On the other I’m not really as interested in this as I am the Martin aircraft, because I don’t see it making much of an impact in the world of flight.
But I’d like to see him fly it.
steve whodatsays:
needs a BRS. is NOT DUBIOUS. I had a similar design I did twenty years ago.mine used a mazda wankel rotary engine, was TWO PLACE, used turbine blades witha Stator to increase thrust among other differences. he’ll find that he has to tilt the rear fan upward because when it’s flat like now it will lose lift when in high speed FORWARD flight.
like the Army Piasecki Vz-8P http://www.vectorsite.net/avplatfm.html#m2 as you see theres a lot of developement over the years in similar designs. these type platforms are INHERENTLY STABLE and could be flown HANDS OFF. all he needs is a lightweight roll bar with a Ballistic Recovery System at the top so the cycle hangs level when it’s deployed. there are videos on the internet of the ARMY TESTS of the Hiller 1 as well as the Hummingbird flying platforms.
I really hope he gets these into production before I am too old to fly one.
Mike Murraysays:
You guys are wonderfully insane. Bringing us into the “Jetsons” age.
Anonymoussays:
Looks like half a Moller SkyCar :-)
(I kid! I kid!)
//and a heck of a lot of fun!
//it *would* come from a Aussie – good on ya!
Jake Spurlocksays:
This is so rad…
james craigsays:
I’m of two minds on this one, on the one hand I want to cheer him on in his insanity.
I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.
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Ground effect is in play here, so yeah, would need to see it at an altitude greater than a few feet. But even 10 feet or so would indicate that it can fly. I’m of two minds on this one, on the one hand I want to cheer him on in his insanity. On the other I’m not really as interested in this as I am the Martin aircraft, because I don’t see it making much of an impact in the world of flight.
But I’d like to see him fly it.
needs a BRS. is NOT DUBIOUS. I had a similar design I did twenty years ago.mine used a mazda wankel rotary engine, was TWO PLACE, used turbine blades witha Stator to increase thrust among other differences. he’ll find that he has to tilt the rear fan upward because when it’s flat like now it will lose lift when in high speed FORWARD flight.
like the Army Piasecki Vz-8P http://www.vectorsite.net/avplatfm.html#m2 as you see theres a lot of developement over the years in similar designs. these type platforms are INHERENTLY STABLE and could be flown HANDS OFF. all he needs is a lightweight roll bar with a Ballistic Recovery System at the top so the cycle hangs level when it’s deployed. there are videos on the internet of the ARMY TESTS of the Hiller 1 as well as the Hummingbird flying platforms.
I really hope he gets these into production before I am too old to fly one.
You guys are wonderfully insane. Bringing us into the “Jetsons” age.
Looks like half a Moller SkyCar :-)
(I kid! I kid!)
//and a heck of a lot of fun!
//it *would* come from a Aussie – good on ya!
This is so rad…
I’m of two minds on this one, on the one hand I want to cheer him on in his insanity.
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