Recent content by Sunbird

The hybrid version of the question have perhaps a bit less to do with the present state of battery technology than pure electric has: Why would you add electric motor(s) to the IC propulsion of your air vehicle design, given that you will incur a weight penalty? One answer is probably S/VTOL...

These machines move a relatively small mass of air down fast and will kick up a lot of dust and dirt in outback landings. Hopefully the landing can be fully automated by a last minute button to be pushed when committed to the landing (just before going IF) in order to avoid vertigo. Messy, but...

The concept...... for the mission.

Something like the Twin Jabiru, with the engines even closer should be close to the mission?

Depends on the mission. I would not miss that hour of gasoline if it would enable vertical takeoff.

A while back Rotax or somebody had come up with a 912 IC with an electric engine mounted on the prop shaft behind the propeller. The idea sounded excellent; IC plus electric for take-off, IC only at optimum rpm for cruise plus recharge of battery. The weight penalty of the electric engine plus 5...

Contra-rotating propellers would not be able to fold back for streamlining.

The Rally 2B Micro/Ultralight had a stick from the top, It was attached leading edge of the wing above. The stick was sufficiently long enough (handgrip was about 1 m from the pivot point) to predominately give the impression of pushing/pulling the stick forward/backwards with very little feel...

"Trailers can be 8'6" in U.S." I wondered about the 8.5 feet size limitation in the GO-Fly competition, perhaps this is it. http://goflyprize.com/

I am impressed with their achievement! Now I know why in the Go-Fly competition http://goflyprize.com/ the words "vertical take off or near vertical take off" was used, maybe someone knew! Phase 2 would be interesting!

Takeoff distance of Ercoupe halved by rocket assist (JATO). Water rocket would last shorter however. https://youtu.be/2w0mKobISt4

" I for one would like to know what the homebuilders in Nambia are doing..." I love Trump for putting us on the map Still a most valuable forum for the love of aeroplanes and ideas Andre