Fritz
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Motorcycle-Airplane hybrid 'Switchblade'
« on: 2009-08-07 08:59:54 » |
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I see a remake of "Easy Rider" in the making 
Cheers
Fritz
Source: Samson Motorworks
Recent developments at Samson have given us a new way to get airborne. The new scissors wing design shaves 200 lb weight while allowing greater range and lower maintenance cost. The wings swing closed under the belly of the vehicle, protected from road grunge and rock dings by a clamshell case and a structural keel that takes impacts. Sporting a three-surface design, in which all wings lift, drag is reduced further by the fact of needing less wing. The Ferrari-inspired clean shape is slowed on landings by fowler flaps. Larger rear wheels are located aft to provide room for the main wings to swing closed, thus the nose lifts five degrees for take-off attitude � you literally fly the plane off the runway without rotating!
Side-by-side seating, more range, less weight, slower landing speed, room for golf clubs, and a wide cabin. The Switchblade has it all!


 Preliminary Specifications: # Estimated GTOW = 1400 LB (Gross Take-off Weight) # LENGTH = 15’- 6” # WIDTH = 5’- 6” # HEIGHT = 5’-1” # SEATS = 2 (side by side) # SPEED = 90+ mph on wheels – 134 mph cruise flying # RANGE = 880 miles ground, 340 miles air # MPG = Estimated 60 mpg ground, 22 mpg air # WINGSPAN = 23’ – 5” main, 5' 6” canard. # WING LOADING = 20 psf # ENGINE = 120 hp Freedom Motor twin rotor (or applicable motorcycle engine) # ESTIMATED TBO = 2500 hours (Time Between Major Overhauls) # FUEL = regular unleaded automobile gasoline (any fuel capable - freedom motor) # FUEL CAPACITY = 16 gallons including reserve # STALL SPEED = 70 mph (with flaps extended)
STANDARD FEATURES = Driver adjustable seat, continuously variable transmission (cvt) with forward, neutral, reverse, and flight mode, leather interior, lexan front windshield and side windows, heating & air conditioning, stereo cd, California ULEV rating, seat belt / safety harness, front and rear disc brakes, video rear view monitor, glass cockpit, automatic vehicle leaning in turns, extendable wings, dual ground/air lighting system, lightning protection, redundant ignition system, redundant battery system, Navigation radio, ELT (emergency location transmitter), back-up air speed, altimeter and attitude, ballistic chute recovery system.
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