Hoverbike on the horizon

KTMphil

Senior member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bikes
2007 KTM 990 Adventure Suzuki DRZ 400
Should make drifting a reality for everyone



LiveLeak.com - Hoverbike on the horizon





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UK-based company Malloy Aeronautics has developed a new type of helicopter which they call a quadcopter. They have already manufactured a model, one third the size of a real one, and this is already popular with drone enthusiasts. But the team behind it say that this is only the beginning. They are confident that soon they'll be able to test a real, full-sized one, controlled by a human rider. And they say the quadcopter is safer than a conventional helicopter.

Chris Malloy, the managing director of Malloy Aeronautics Ltd, and the designer of the Malloy Hoverbike, said: "The reason we moved from the bi-copter design to the quadcopter design was because the technology has now moved to such a point that controlling a vehicle using independent thrust through the four motors of a quadcopter is much more efficient and cheaper now than it was when I first started this bi-copter design."

The small scale drone model has been marketed commercially as a way of raising funds to develop a larger version. But Chris Malloy is testing a tethered full-size prototype.

He said: "The advantage that the hoverbike has over helicopters is that it can fly amongst trees safely. Rotor-strike is a major issue with helicopters, but this design eliminates rotor-strike by protecting the propeller blades from the ground as well as from airborne obstacles. The helicopter is inherently complex, but the hoverbike is simple. So, that makes it safer. And it's built to be robust and be flown in environments that would present problems to a typical helicopter."

The team at Malloy say the hoverbike will be low cost, and that its size will make it a practical option for farmers, for search and rescue teams, for emergency services like ambulances, and loading cargo into confined spaces.
Read more at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=95b_1409157001#g3bTBUAzXLYAALiL.99
 
I would love to see something like this get off the ground.
I did a lot of work on the initial design/build of something similar around 8-10 years ago & it seems the company is still viable.
Entecho - Advanced Flight Technology, Hoverpod, Mupod, Aerodynamics, Innovation, Compact Aerial Vehicle, CAV, Rotorcraft, Recreational Vehicle, Personal Aerial Vehicle, PAV, UAV, Composites, VTOL - Perth Western Australia

Motor mounting bracket - all CNC machined by me
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Body frame from Chrome Moly tubing - full size
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Prototype/proof of concept model
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I won't be holding my breath. 'Mythbusters' have tried a couple of times without success and the US government managed to put men on the Moon but have also failed
 
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