Aerofex's Star Wars Bike

[lacajun]

I can only speak for myself but that's neat and I want one.

Aerofex Hover Craft

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[KENAT]

Looks like a more fun alternative to the Segway.

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[ivymike]

Just be careful not to stick those fans down on anyone's head

 

[MikeHalloran]

It'd be okay over short grass, but in the places where you'd actually be allowed to ride it, the dust clouds would be bothersome.

A dirt bike is a better choice, and more affordable.

If you have access to big water, you might build an ekranoplan.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ornerynorsk]

The bike is very cool! Thanks for the link.

Mike, I am always amazed that wing-in-ground-effect vehicles have not received more attention. Makes more sense to move heavy cargo quickly than by conventional air freight. Heavy seas and rogue waves might be a problem . . .

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Way cool -- but looks like a hyped up hovercraft to me!!

 

[cranky108]

How do you stop this crazy thing? That might be the reason you can't have one in public places.

Over water? What if it quits, you could loose the whole bike.

 

[drawoh]

I seem to recall that ground effect vehicles are not allowed on the road. I wonder how quiet they are.

--
JHG

 

[lacajun]

Why aren't there dust clouds in the pix?

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[berkshire]

Gizmag magazine, Made a comment today about the lack of a cloud of dust. They thought it was a simulation not a real picture.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[KENAT]

Depending where in the Mojave desert, when it last rained and a few other factors it's possible there wouldn't be much dust. However, simulation is also highly possible.

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[lacajun]

Could they have air brushed it for a glamor shot? That's just wrong. ;-)

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[ornerynorsk]

Anyone remember Moller? They've been in development for 30+ years and have come up with some pretty cool designs, as well. Not sure if they've gotten FAA approval or have commercialized anything yet.

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.

 

[ivymike]

I remember Moller, and have been to his facility in Davis on a number of occasions. I haven't been there since about 2000 though, and couldn't say how things have gone since then.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

If I am correct - I don't think Moller has gotten more than a few feet off the ground and spent like a gabillion dollars trying to do it!!

 

[berkshire]

Moller has signed an agreement with the Chinese to make his product there. He also has a new design out for a LSA category aircraft.
Also his web site has been hacked and contains a pretty nasty virus at this time.
B.E.

The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor