Haynes Aero Skyblazer
| Skyblazer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Roadable utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Haynes Aero |
| Designer | Robin Haynes |
| Status | In development |
The Haynes Aero Skyblazer is a project under development which proposes a "roadable aircraft", more commonly known as a flying car.
Development
The concept of a flying car is a vehicle that has the capacity to drive on public roads and also to fly. In this way a single vehicle is able to use both air and ground infrastructures - essentially providing an aircraft that has door to door capabilities.
The Skyblazer development team proposes the use of a single turbofan engine to provide thrust in the air and to generate electricity to power electric motors for ground travel. In "car mode", the wings fold completely into the body of the vehicle, which will fit into a single car garage and regular parking space. In "aircraft mode" the vehicle will have STOL capabilities and be able to use almost any public use airfield. It has cruise speed of 300 mph and a range of 830 miles. As of June 2007 the skyblazer team has completed wind tunnel, stability and control testing and flown a 1/6 scale model.
The Skyblazer concept falls into the category of an "Integrated" vehicle, which is one of the two viable flying car concepts. An "Integrated" vehicle retains all the components needed for both modes of travel at all times. The other type of flying car is a "Modular" vehicle, where some part of the vehicle is left behind during a transition between modes - usually the wings are left at the airfield while the car part is driven on the road to complete the journey.
Specifications (projected)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
- Wingspan: 28 ft 0 in (8.54 m)
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
- Wing area: 144 ft2 (13.4 m2)
- Empty weight: 2,170 lb (984 kg)
- Gross weight: 3,706 lb (1,681 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Williams FJ44, 1,965 lbf (8.74 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 404 mph (648 km/h)
- Range: 837 miles (1,343 km)
- Service ceiling: 29,000 ft (8,839 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)
References
- Helm, Burt. "Driving Airplane, Flying Car", Business Week March 31, 2006.
- Kharif, Olga. "A Flying Leap for Cars." BusinessWeek August 25, 2004.
- Schilperoord, Paul. Future Tech ISBN 1-904772-43-9. 2006.
- Shallit, Bob. "Sky High Hopes", Sacramento Bee March 31, 2007.
- Simon, Bob. "Flying Cars Ready to Take Off" 60 Minutes. April 17, 2005.
- "Skyblazer Dual-Mode Flying Car Concept", Gizmag, November 8, 2004.
- Young, Gloria. "Air-car designer seeks to build prototype." Auburn Journal April 10, 2007.