Introduction

In 1917, aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss built a combination automobile and airplane, but there is no record that it was actually flown. In 1924, race car driver and WWI 'Ace of Aces' Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker said: "Imagine the convenience of being able to drive around in the city, as is done nowadays, and then when you start for some other town and get on a straight of way or enter a nearby pasture, to unfold the wings on the machine and take to the air! It will mean quicker transportation for the suburbanite, for people living at a distance from a large city, and for the traveling salesman, who now uses the motor car and highways to cover his territory."

(Reprinted in the JULY 1924 issue of POPULAR SCIENCE at *Rickenbacker page 30, The article summarizes as follows: How soon we shall fly our own machines depends, experts agree, on how quickly foolproof machines can capture public confidence. Once that confidence has been gained and public demand created, quantity production and lower prices will be possible. The wonderful history of the automobile will be repeated in the air. (Rich Strong's comment/invitation to the article resulted in several hundreds of visitors to this site.) The article forecast a burgeoning market within 20 years, around 1940. In 1940, Henry Ford, who had the first paved runway, the first radio airway, the Tri-Motor, and the Detroit Aircraft Corp., instead of Flying Flivvers, focussed on building thousands of *B-24 bombers, at a rate of one per hour and unit cost of about half that charged by aviation industry for the same airplanes, (although this was not without problems, described at *Uziel and support of Bill Stout's XC-65/107 *Skycar; he is often quoted as saying: "Mark my word: A combination airplane and motor car is coming. You may smile, but it will come." It's often read that Ford Motor did a survey about the *Aerocar ca. 1970 and was informed by FAA that they could not manage the air traffic for a production run of 25,000 units per year. The story goes that the Ford folks offered to make Aerocars if Moult could come up with orders for 500 units. His survey found that there were only a few hundred potential buyers, so the deal fell through. Frances Hodgson Burnett said it this way: "At first, people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done then it is done, and all the world wonders why it was not done long ago." Although "it" took Rich a very long time with hundreds of studies, models, conversations, and advice and critiques from hundreds of experts and aircar lovers, now you can "see it can be done" in this preliminary study of the best designs, like "diamonds in the rough", of StrongMobiles for business travellers and commuters to

reduce their travel time, contrasted to driving, so their StrongMobiles pay for themselves. As the designs have matured, they have stabilized, so you can be confident that they are practical and realistic. A ballpark estimate for a worldwide fleet of 100,000 Strongmobiles at maturity, with each avoiding an average of $100K per year gives a rough idea of the scope of the project - $ 10 billion per year. In general, the market for Strongmobiles will involve the financial aspects and the psychic gratification aspects for people who enjoy driving and flying and having freedom to travel for personal pleasure. The concepts, drawings, and calculations are simple, but the inventor is confident that the descriptions here may be sufficient for entrepreneurs to start up prototype development programs. The overwhelming majority of the people Rich has talked with say they want a StrongMobile. He keeps updating this website on a daily basis to inspire readers to spread the good words and graphics and, eventually, to produce and use StrongMobiles

StrongMobile Flying Car Project Presentation Transcript

1. StrongMobile Flying Car Projecthttp://www.strongware.com/dragonWelcome to the Wide & Wonderful World of Wheels and Wings"Richard Allen Strong, B.Sc. Aero. & Astro. Engrg, MA (Major,USAF,Retired) Commercial Pilot, ASELIProprietor, Safety Analysis Systems Co.Copyright 2008 Richard Allen Strong 2. The Future Belongs to Those Who Can See ItDost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." Benjamin Franklin "Do not go where the path may lead. Go where there is no path and leave a trail..." Ralph Waldo Emerson, Philosopher"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clarke "Mark my word: A combination airplane and motor car is coming. You may smile, but it will come." Henry Ford"At first, people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done - then it is done, and all the world wonders why it took so long." Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett"If you don't have a consensus that it is nonsense, you don't have a breakthrough." Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites"When you design your aircraft, distort the specifications to be different! Prof. Ed Lesher, University of Michigan, Speed Record Engineer-PilotThe greatest obstacle to scientific progress is the illusion of complete knowledge. Prof. Disney, Hubble Telescope CommitteeThose who say It cant be done! should not interrupt those who are doing it. At the end of the movie, Back to the Future, Doc Brown says to Marty:"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads."0 3. Problem Statement & Proposed SolutionThe problem to be solved recognizes that there are hundreds of cities that are hundreds of miles apart, and many business travelers and cargo movers want to go between and within them quickly and easily on a door-todoor, daily basis. The highway system is forecast to be more congested and slower, with no relief in sight. Air travellers still need to spend time to convert from one mode to another mode for local travel. Proposed solution is an aircar with an optimum payload and adequate performance for a core market offrequent regional business travelers that is quicker, with lower net cost from time savings and higher production rates than current airplanes. The potential marketof thousandsof operators avoiding spending millions of hours driving or changing modes may establisha billion-dollarindustry within a decade from start-up.1 4. Some Common Fallacies and TruthsThe common fallacies are:1) cars are too heavy to fly; 2) "average" drivers are too dangerous to fly; the sky is too small for millions of aircars; andflyable automobiles would cost too much.The truths are: 1) StrongMobile designs are adequate for good performance; 2) licensed pilots are better trained, regulated and qualified; 3) the skies are big enough and control is adequate for hundreds of thousands of aircars; and4) avoiding payroll and support costs of business operators vs. other travel modes offsets costs of StrongMobiles. 5. StrongMobiles Will Be As Efficient As Others,With Much Less Hassle & And More Freedom Savings in time spentwhiledriving orchanging modes give higher average speed. Example: For 400 mi., 3 hr. trip, 0:05 transform and 140 KTAS with StrongMobile compares to 0:30 transform and 200 KTAS for car and fast airplane.

Operators are free to choose schedules, routes, airports, destinations, and modes to suit weather, flight and traffic conditions to fit their budgets and desires. 2 6. The FAA rules show a speed limit of 250 knots when flying below 10,000 feet.StrongMobiles are designed to cruise at about 140 knots.The shortest distance between two places avoids wasting time and fuel.2a 7. In general, you can plan your trip for various situationsPlan A - VFR or IFR direct [probability of about 80%]; orPlan B - weather or TFR deviations of less than one hour [probability of about 15%]; orPlan C - deviations of more than one hour, but less than two hours [probability of about 3%]; orPlan D - Driving only [probability of about 2%], orPlan E - Airports and Roads closed [probability less than 1%], orPlan F - Aborted trip en route and overnight or more delay [probability of less than 1%].2b 8. Evolution of the StrongMobileCaproni-Campini fanjet 1940Bill Stouts Skycar1960 Nash Airflyte3 9. The Primary PurposeA N D3a 10. StrongMobile Mock-Up Model3b 11. 1971 StrongMobile Design (U.S. Patent 3,612,440)The lifting body-fuselage presents an automobile appearance; it may provide about 1/3 of the lift and allow use of a smaller wing.The ducted fan is quieter than a propeller; the jetwash blows on the wing to boost lift. A clutch disengages the fan for driving.The wing has spoiler ailerons and full-span flaps to give angle of attack while the body is level for lifting the front for take-off.4 12. NASA Quiet Ducted Fan Study (UTRC)Noise is reduced from 105 dB to 77 dB (Ref. FAR Part 36, App. G36.301, 88 dB max.) Neighbor-friendly and less cabin noise fatigue. 5 13. An example of a fan by Aero Composites(NASA Personal Air Vehicle Exploration Program)The composite structure provides unlimited fatigue life. The StrongMobile fan may generate about 100 lbs. per sq. ft. of pressure over 6 sq. ft. ( 3 ft dia.) for 600 lbs. of thrust.6 14. Eggenfellner Subaru ConversionOthers: Converted Mazda rotary by Atkins, Mistral, or Powersport7 15. Fan Clutch, Locator, and Thrust Structure8 16. Ducted Fan & Front Wheel Design9Design melds the ducting for the fan with the front wheels. 17. Inboard Profile & Cross-Sections10 18. Magic Wing Conversion System11 19. Magic Conversion ConceptsWing Stowage Bay Doors, Rear View,Left Side12 20. Warp Action Spoiler Plate Ailerons12a 21. Wheel Retraction & Extension13 22. Primary Control SystemThe steering wheel (1) is for driving; it is semi-stowable for flying. The center T stick (2) is for pitch and roll control with trim for flying. Flight throttle (3) and mic button is on left door. Road and fan gear shift (4) is for driving. Accelerator pedal and foot brake pedal (5,6) are on the floor as usual. Rudder pedals (7) are stowable for driving. 14 23. Instrument & Control Panel14a 24. AirplaneMode15 25. AutomobileMode16 26. Shorter Take-Off and Landing Version17

27. STOL-port17a 28. Four-seat/Cargo VersionOperators may choose to use two Dragons for many jobs that require four seat capacity or use the four-seat version; however, the design and development of the four-seat version is considered to be a challenging venture.18 29. SpeeDragonA concept for those who have a need for higher cruising speed.18a 31. Road Mode18b 32. Current Airplane InconveniencesMay Be Eliminated in StrongMobileexpense of hangaring;handling tie-downs and chocks;tow bars and towing machines;using stepstools to check fuel quantity; using steps and handholds for entry and exit; only one cabin door, noisy, narrow cabins;steering while taxiing with foot pedals; left and right brake pedals; complex engine & propeller displays and controls; potentially lethal propeller; andneed for rental cars for local transportation.19 33. Recap of Requirements and FeaturesAutomobile-type lifting body and suspension;Modified COTS automotive engine & road drive;Automated transformation in minimum time; Quiet fan with clutch and vectored jetwash lift;Full-span flaps, spoiler ailerons, & fixed slats;[2-seat] Quarter-ton payload and fuel for 4+ hours;Fully retractable wheels and covers; andRange ~600 air miles, cruise ~ 140 knots.20 34. Safety, Compared to Other LightplanesAutomobile braking, steering, & 4-wheel stability decrease risk of over-run or flip-over; Ducted fan gives: less risk of injuries; governing; more static thrust; vectored lift jets; quieter ops;Simpler automobile engine controls; Lifting body & full-span flaps cushion landings, slats decrease risk of stall; alpha gauge; andWhen weather turns bad or plans change, option to drive home from alternate airport , or drive to alternate airport with good weather for take-off.21 35. Automobile & Airplane SafetyMany people put a priority on safety, so they look at the U. S. historical data what shows vehicles have about 1.54 fatal accidents per 100 million miles driven, as compared to 22 fatal accidents per million hours flown in "general aviation". If you figure that airplanes average 150 miles per hour, then general aviation airplanes have a rate of 14 fatal accidents per 100 million miles flown, about 1 per 7 lifetimes.So, you can conclude that driving is about 10 times safer than flying. However, flying StrongMobiles may be much safer in contrast to "general aviation", when you consider their safety features. 36. The wing slat is considered to be important because many accident investigation reports blame wing stalls during landing approach as a common cause that can be easily reduced or eliminated. The action of plain versus slatted wings is illustrated. The left diagram describes stalling action . The right diagram shows the effect of slats for reducing stall. 37. Flying vs. Driving: Safety & EfficiencyProQuickerNo impaired driversNo bad roads nor construction zonesNo debris or obstructions nor natural barriersNo congestion or speed limitsNo HAZMAT trucksConUnforecast icingThunderstormsTurbulence and shearFog and low ceilingsGusty cross-winds Slippery runwaysNav-Comm RadiosMedical ExamsFlight Training22 38. Example Hazard Report 1. SYST./SUBSYST/UNIT: Operations in fan mode with objects/ birds. 2. COMPNT. FAIL MODE: Pilot fails to see and avoid objects/ creatures in time. 3. SUBSYST.FAIL MODE: Objects ingested into fan cause damage, failure. 4. SYST./COMP./PHASE: Airport and flight operations in fan mode. 5. SYSTEM EVENT/PHAS: Taxi, take-off, and landing plus birds during cruise. 6.

SYST.OPER.DESCRPN: taxi, take-off, and landing and cruise flight. 7. HAZARD DESCRIPTN.: Fan ingests objects/ creatures into fan duct. 8. HAZARD INDICATION: Objects may be seen in time for avoidance. 9. EFFECT OF HAZARD : Impact damage to fan, aircraft, various damages. 10. RISK ASSESSMENT : Potential for various failures, loss of control. 11. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: Pilot scans ahead and avoids objects/ creatures. 12. ACTION EFFECTS : Eliminates hazard. 13. REMARKS/DOCS/DIRS: Fixed Base Operator keeps surfaces clear. 14. ACTION STATUS : TBD 15. NOTE/CAUTION/WARN: Include a WARNING in Pilot Operating Handbook.RISK WITH HAZARD = 2-C RISK WITH ACTION = 2-E22a 39. Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersDoes a StrongMobile operator need to have a pilots license? Answer: Yes, plus a medical certificate, etc..Wont average drivers have more accidents if they fly? Answer: No. Average drivers likely will not qualify; medical, legal, and instructors report that 2/3 of students wash out.Wont aircars be a danger to folks and property on the ground? Answer: Yes; there will always be some risk; less than usual.Arent aircars inherently too heavy, compared to airplanes? Answer: The StrongMobile designs are adequate for the specific operations that they are designed for.Can I take-off and land on public highways? Answer: NO! Consider obstructions, distractions, instrument aids, weather, and FAA rules.23 40. Learning And Problem-Solving, LAPS, Record RECNO:1About:Date:HazBen RecId:DB File: Rec.Id:1PrevRecId:TXT:PrsId:SS File: Col-Row:Budget Item:WrkRecId:Line / Sub-Item:Phase:Chek#:1. Diverger/ Idea Generators choose a goal and distinguish it from Reality.a. Goals / Increase aero performance to save time and extend rangeb. Real Operation ____:cruise speed of 120 knotsc. Suggest / Concern_ reduce aero drag2. aSIMmilators identify factor, metric, select problem to be solved.a. Problem/ Suggest _ retract wheelsb. Select-increase climb rate and cruise speedc. SelectCON _______added cost of equipment and maintenance3. Converger/ Optimizers/ Judges consider solutions and evaluate them.a. Solution Set_______:partially retract wheelsb. Evaluation use cost of 10% of fuel, $2000 per year, $2,000 to install.c. Recommendations _:mockup, weigh, and test4. Worker/ Accomodator/ Implenters select one solution and implement it.a. Solution Selected__:b. Implementation ___ c. Recommendations_ :23a 41. Financial Model 1 Start-UpDevelopment may commence whenever the trend of deposits shows confidence that sufficient deposits will be made to pay for development costs that are estimated to be around $20M. This plan will require about 1,000 deposits. Given the usual schedule required for similar airplane developments, it is estimated that about three years will be required to set up for production. Deliveries may begin ~ 2010.If you wish to reserve a position for your StrongMobile on the production schedule, then make a non-refundable deposit of $19,000 minimum to TACRA. Deposits will be put into escrow accounts as certificates of deposit until 100 are received or until the end of 2007. If 100 deposits are not received by the end of 2007, then those that have been received will be returned to the depositors. 24 42. Financial Model - 2 for 2-Seat VersionThe finances of the three main players in the scenario may be: Maker: Develops aircar - invests $20M @ 12% for 20 years startup; Produces 2,000 units per year at unit cost of $75,000 ( ~$150M); Produces parts for maintenance and repair and accessories; Sells units and parts for 15% net after-tax profit (~$30M); and Sets up dealer/buyer financing at 10%, earning 10%-prime of ~6%.

Dealer/Lessor: Sets up sales and service, training, and leasing; Purchases X aircars for $100,000 at 10% interest for 20 years with monthly payments of ~$2,000X; Leases aircars for 1,200 hours per year, at $160 per flight hour; Pays operation and maintenance of $75/hour $7,500 per month each; Pays for facility, employees, ~$4,000 per month per each X aircar; Earns profit $16,000 - $7,500 - $2,000 - $4,000 = $2,500/month each; Performs service/maintenance/repair as required; and Operates training and building center. 25 43. Financial Model - 3Owner/Lessee:- Owner buys on $160,000, 20-year 6% loan for $1,600 per month; or- Lessee leases for $160 per hour/ $16,000 per month to lessees; Users average wrap-around cost plus business profit of $100 per hour for each of two, flying 6+ hrs/day, 24 hrs/ wk, 100 hrs/ month; - Cost avoidance of $200 per hour for each flight hour, based on standard mission, $20,000 per month, less $3,500 fuel, saving :$16,500 personnel - $16,000 buy/lease = $ 500/mo. cost avoidance. NOTE: Figures are for the two-seat version. For four-seat version, cost may be increased by 50% and benefits by 100%.Other factors such as prestige, business opportunities, safety, security, and control of schedule and destinations.26 44. The Air-Car Research Association, TACRA Performance, Equipment, & Price, PEP, SurveyBasic Dragon has SRS, A/C, power steering & brakes, ABS, transaxle, fixed-pitch fan w/ clutch, fixed wheels, and speed cruise control. Price for: a. kit: $____k b. Factory-built: $____k c. Rent/hr: $_____If you want more, enter how much more and how much you would pay.1. Over 10 yrs service life? Yrs; ____ Pay: $___k 2. Over 10,000 Flight hours; ____ kfh Pay: $____k 3. Over 120,000 Road Miles: _____kmi Pay: $____k 4. Four-place version Pay: $_____k 5. Over 195 lb. Pilot & passenger (s) weight?: _____ lbs. Pay: $____k 6. STOL version: $____k Anti-icing system: $___k7. Over 66 lb. per occupant baggage weight?: ______ lbs. Pay: $____k8. Rotary engine Pay: $___k 9. Over 360 nm Range: _____ Pay: $____k10. Over 140 KTAS cruise speed: _____KTAS Pay: $____k11. Over 12,000 ft. ceiling: ____,000 ft. Pay: $_____k 12. Autopilot - Pay: $_____k 13. Retract wheels - Pay: $ ____k 14. Controllable-pitch fan: $______k 15. Cabin Press - Pay: $ ____k27 45. Plan A as of 20052006 Cadre Team, chassis and propulsion testing;2007 - Design, Build, and Test Driveable Prototype; 2008 Design, Build, and Test Flight Prototype;2009 - Design Plans, Kits for Homebuilder Teams; 20?? - Series Production by Teams, ManufacturersThe inventor will welcome any producers to lead the next phase of building the prototype and production versions of StrongMobiles for a market of thousands of operators avoiding millions of wasted hours of windshield time on the highway or changing modes that could be used for more profitable activities with potential for a billion-dollar industry within a decade.28 46. Outreach Activitiesstrongware.com/dragon Website: Over 10,000 visits per year, mostly unknown, but zero feedback.Presentations and ads to associations (EAA, SAE, AOPA, AIAA, ASME)StrongMobile Project CD and book29 48. Conclusion and ForecastThe StrongMobile preliminary design and business plan indicate that the project is feasible for further development, production, and operation to satisfy a potential market of thousands of users.Main questions are: Whowill do it?; and Whenwill it be done ? 30 49. The inventor at his favorite pastime of simulating driving and flying in the mockup.32

That, at least, is the conclusion one reaches after examining the EU's recent interest in building "Personal Aerial Vehicles"--flying cars. The "myCopter project," as it is called, recently snagged $6.2 million in EU funding, says Inhabitat. Among the many good reasons for launching cars into the skies--sheer exhilaration is the first that comes to mind--the EU justifies the research money with one in particular: traffic jams. "Considering the prevailing congestion problems with ground-based transportation and the anticipated growth of traffic in the coming decades, a major challenge is to find solutions that combine the best of ground-based and air-based transportation," write the project runners in an abstract. Tired of playing bumper cars through rush hour? Just flip the switch into flight mode. An interesting mix of technological and regulatory challenges stand between us and a future filled with flying cars; the researchers describe their project as a "unique integration of social investigations and technological advancements that are necessary to move public transportation into the third dimension." To solve the technical problems, an all-star consortium of European research universities is on the case, including Ecole Polytechnique Fdrale de Lausanne, the University of Liverpool, the Karlsruher Institut fr Technologie, and others. The researchers behind the project even think flying cars might be environmentally beneficial--since we'll be traveling directly from point to point, instead of zigzagging, and we'll no longer be wasting energy stopping and accelerating at all those stoplights. And as for safety? Driving on the ground, after all, is dangerous enough. Here's where regulation and technology meet. The flying cars would be highly automated, say the researchers, employing new technology for "obstacle avoidance, path planning and formation flying." It's easy to see how some of the technology for driverless cars would factor in here. "[I]t could be highly likely that no-flight zones that [personal aerial vehicles] simply could not fly in will be designed, because the automation that is onboard will not allow the vehicle to be directed towards these zones," Heinrich Blthoff of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, one of the scientific leaders of the project, told Inhabitat.

The EU isn't the only one interested in flying cars. Last year, a Massachusetts-based company called Terrafugia Transport made headlines by crossing a Federal Aviation Administration regulatory hurdle. Last month the company announced a delay, saying we could nonetheless still expect to see it hit the market by 2012. Years back, GizmoWatch put together a fun round-up of its top ten flying cars (some of which never made it out of blueprint stage). This is a very old dream indeed; the EPFL press release announcing the myCopter project (en franais) dug up an illustrated Popular Mechanics cover from 1951, featuring a man rolling a small helicopter out of his one-car garage. Even working out all the technological and regulatory kinks, it still all seems a little ludicrously dangerous, doesn't it? But there's one reason, of course, that flying cars might be safer than they initially seem. In many car accidents, after all, the victims are pedestrians--and until we finally realize the dream of the personal jetpack, there's no such thing as pedestrians in the sky.