Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites Delivers Model 367 "BiPod" - A Flying Hybird Car
Burt Rutan (Recommended: #-Link-Snipped-#) worked on his final design prior to retiring in April 2011. It's just revealed that his last design is a flying hybrid car called "BiPod". The BiPod has been designed and engineered by Scaled Composites | Home, company founded by Burt Rutan back in 1982. Scaled Composites has delivered many innovative, record breaking aircraft designs including The Space Ship One and Virgin Galactic's Space Ship Two. The Scaled Composites model 367 aka 'BiPod' was the final design by Burt Rutan. Mr. Rutan was toying with the idea of designing a personal electric flying aircar including VTOL and roadable concepts for at least a decade.
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The BiPod Model 367 | Image Credit: Scaled Composites
The BiPod project conceived at Scaled was a low-cost, rapid, electric vehicle project using COTS components available. SC engineers found out that many of their existing drive systems were well aligned with the aircar frame needed for the BiPod project. Since SC wanted to complete the project before Burt's retirement in April 2011, they accelerated the development project and followed a very strict and tight schedule. The company achieved first flight of the BiPod within just 4 months of beginning the primary design of the flying car. The BiPod is expected to operate at 200mph top speed and have a range of 700 miles. Rutan's team used many innovative approaches to solve the design related challenges in roadable aircraft. Lot of emphasis was put on safety of the vehicle while running on ground and even when flying. BiPod is equipped with two internal combustion engines to power the propellers located on horizontal stabilizers. Lithium batteries mounted in the nose of the aircraft provide additional energy required during the take-off and engine related emergencies.
The BiPod performed very well during the initial tests. The tests also indicated that the vehicle is safe, stable and controllable.
Via: #-Link-Snipped-#
#-Link-Snipped-#
The BiPod Model 367 | Image Credit: Scaled Composites
The BiPod project conceived at Scaled was a low-cost, rapid, electric vehicle project using COTS components available. SC engineers found out that many of their existing drive systems were well aligned with the aircar frame needed for the BiPod project. Since SC wanted to complete the project before Burt's retirement in April 2011, they accelerated the development project and followed a very strict and tight schedule. The company achieved first flight of the BiPod within just 4 months of beginning the primary design of the flying car. The BiPod is expected to operate at 200mph top speed and have a range of 700 miles. Rutan's team used many innovative approaches to solve the design related challenges in roadable aircraft. Lot of emphasis was put on safety of the vehicle while running on ground and even when flying. BiPod is equipped with two internal combustion engines to power the propellers located on horizontal stabilizers. Lithium batteries mounted in the nose of the aircraft provide additional energy required during the take-off and engine related emergencies.
The BiPod performed very well during the initial tests. The tests also indicated that the vehicle is safe, stable and controllable.
Via: #-Link-Snipped-#
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