Hoverbike. So much want!

It's a real shame that you won't be able to 'drive' one without a pilots licence. That was the problem with that flying car which they developed a few years back.

You didn't read the article then?

Operation: With a 250lb-ish Kevlar & carbon fiber body that falls within the US’s “ultralight” parameters, the HB doesn’t require a pilot’s license to fly . . .

No doubt that will change if it becomes a reality.
 
I can't see how anyone can learn to ride/fly that thing without sustaining serous injuries. You will have to learn all your moves at like 1m off the ground in case you fall off. They will also have to design in such a way that if you fall off, that thing isn't going to drop off from the sky and land on you or someone else.

Because cars, motorbikes, planes and helicopters all automatically control themselves and avoid killing people when the driver/pilot cocks up?

It also can't just hover and stay there until it runs out of petrol and will need some sort of self landing mechanism.

Because all planes, helicopters, microlights, etc have self landing systems that operate in the event of impending fuel depletion?

It needs a lot more software to fly that thing.

Because all planes, helicopters, microlights, etc are packed full of flight control software?

:p:p:)
 
Typically in uk only you have to have a licence to fly ultralights.........albeit only a microlight one.

Although I think foot launched aircraft are excluded, maybe you could argue this is for launched.
 
Because cars, motorbikes, planes and helicopters all automatically control themselves and avoid killing people when the driver/pilot cocks up?


No, but you don't fall out of your plane do you?

Besides, both planes and helicopters are capable of landing without the engines being on. I highly doubt this will, the blades are not big enough.
 
right, the first person the mock one up like this wins everything:

SWSpeederBike.gif


B@
 
No, but you don't fall out of your plane do you?


What difference does that make?

People successfully plough their cars into trees, buildings and small children o na daily basis without having to get out first.


Besides, both planes and helicopters are capable of landing without the engines being on. I highly doubt this will, the blades are not big enough.

capable but unlikely depending on where you are.
 
Why would you fall off?
When can helicopters land with no power, one or two have a slight glide, but it's still a crash. As are planes are unlikely to make a Successful landing with no power.

Also depending on height, no reason their cant be a parachute. Small planes now have big. Parachutes capable of floating a entire plane to the ground and they are developing ones for large planes as well.

The problem is licensing and air space, that is never going to be solved until we have self flying stuff and only when demand is there for government to get of their fat bums. Which will be be after 100 years of demand like usual.
Until then you'll have to get the licenses and fly within the allowed limits. Oh and you won't get the demand due to fuel and insurance costs. Unless someone invents a new propellant device.
 
Last edited:
Helicopters autorotate when they lose power and fall, which does slow their descent.

that's not deliberate, that's because the tailrotor can't supply enough force to counteract the rotation of the main blades, which effectively lessens the RPM of the main blades meaning that the helicopter loses thrust faster :p

Also, a spinning Helicopter is a lot harder to escape from :p
 
Parachutes. With the hoverbike you have the choice to wear an emergency parachute and have two explosive parachutes attached to the airframe, with a helicopter you have no such choice. The hoverbike in it's current configuration cannot autorotate (with adjustable pitch propellers it can) but this should not be viewed as a discredit to the design. Engine failure in a helicopter or plane by no means assures you that you will survive a autorotation or glide, as air crash statistics show. The option of removing yourself from the vehicle and descending via parachute to the ground may well save your life

Though if you're close to the ground a bloody great airbag might be a better idea ;)
 
that's not deliberate, that's because the tailrotor can't supply enough force to counteract the rotation of the main blades, which effectively lessens the RPM of the main blades meaning that the helicopter loses thrust faster :p

Also, a spinning Helicopter is a lot harder to escape from :p

errr no.

Autorotation is when a helicopter falls (or the engine speed drops below rotor speed) the clutch is disengaged and the rotor can spin freely.

The air flowing up over the rotor causes them to spin, and provide some lift, thus a helicopter can glide quite long distances.


not when the helicopter body is spinning around, it's actually also used as a method to regain control when the tail rotor has failed or cannot provide sufficient thrust to counteract the normal torque because of winds etc.
 
No, but you don't fall out of your plane do you?

Besides, both planes and helicopters are capable of landing without the engines being on. I highly doubt this will, the blades are not big enough.

As has been explained, autorotation or gliding do not gaurantee a safe landing in an unpowered helicopter or plane respectively. Far from it.

My point was that no ground or air vehicles are required to have automatic systems to prevent crashing and/or risk to third parties in the event that the driver/pilot loses control for whatever reason or the fuel is depleted, so why do you suggest that would be a requirement for this hoverbike?
 
Back
Top Bottom