British Flying Car:Will it take off?

[Dave Unwin]

I logged a few hours in a Taylor AeroCar last year. As an aeroplane, it was OK to drive - and for a car, it flew quite well!

[sharksandwich]

Taylor Aerocar:

Collections » Aircraft » Taylor Aerocar III
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Location: Great Gallery
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Aircraft Details

• Manufacturer:
  Moulton Taylor
• Model:
  Aerocar III
• Year:
  1968
• Power Plant:
  One Lycoming 0-320 143 h.p. engine
• 
  Registration:
  N100D
• 
  Serial Number:
  1
• 
  Length:
  26ft
• 
  Span:
  34ft
• 
  Wing Area:
  190ft²
• 
  Empty Weight:
  1,500lbs
• 
  Gross Weight:
  2,100lbs
• Cruise Speed:
  135mph
• 
  Range:
  500miles
• 
  Length:
  7.92m
• 
  Span:
  10.36m
• 
  Wing Area:
  17.65m²
• 
  Empty Weight:
  680.40kg
• Gross Weight:
  952.56kg
• 
  Cruise Speed:
  217.22km/h
• 
  Range:
  804.50

Taylor Aerocar III

The Aerocar was a "roadable" airplane certified for use as both a plane and an automobile. The prototype was completed in 1949 but not certified by the Civil Aeronautics Administration until 1956.
The Museum's Aerocar III began as the sixth and final Aerocar I. In the late 1960s, Taylor bought it back after it had been damaged in a road accident. He updated and redesigned the car section, leaving the wings essentially unchanged. Thanks to its large Lycoming 0-320 143-horsepower airplane engine, the Aerocar was quite sporty and by all accounts, it was also quite stable and pleasant to fly.
Of course the most remarkable feature of the Aerocar is its ability to transform from automobile to aircraft -- a process that takes about 15 minutes. The Aerocar can either tow its wings and tail like a trailer, or simply leave them at the airport. To get ready for flight, the driver/pilot first connects the driveshaft (flip up the license plate to make the connection) in the tail. Then, the wings swing around into position and are pinned into place. The flight controls -- movable steering wheel and rudder pedals -- slide into place automatically. The engine cannot start unless every connection has been properly made, an ingenious safety device.
Help us preserve this historic artifact for future generations. Click here to find out about the Museum's Adopt-A-Plane program.

[Pace]

What I fail to understand with these designs why four hefty wheels?
The car should be lightweight and streamlined.
Aircraft are usually tri gear ie one nosewheel and two mains which in cars has been successfully used in the reliant 3 wheeler and bond bug.
Tandem seating would help?
Whats up with those designers they can do better than that

Pace

Bond Bug XPW901H Part of the Bond Bug Photo Gallery.

[Mack Buffet]

A good friend of mine was part of the Skycar Expedition riding one of the off road recce bikes.

Channel 4 had a film crew along for the trip, for those that are interested there's a documentary on Ch4 in the UK on 19 October (I think that's the date - will double check).

[Dave Unwin]

The wheels are actually made from cast magnesium, and are very light. I'd also take issue with the suggestion that the Reliant Robin and Bond Bug are good cars!

[Pace]

I'd also take issue with the suggestion that the Reliant Robin and Bond Bug are good cars!

Dave

I used to drive a Reliant Robin delivery van and apart from skating across all three motorway lanes in very strong winds was a good van for its purpose. A friend had a Bond Bug which he loved.

But thats not the point. How many aircraft do you know which are pure aircraft have four wheels two up front?

I know of none. Surley that must say something? why carry the extra weight and drag of two wheels and sets of brakes when one is perfectly adequate in the air and on the road?

Pace

[sharksandwich]

why carry the extra weight and drag of two wheels and sets of brakes when one is perfectly adequate in the air and on the road?

Quite. The "car" part does not need to be perfect, but the flying characteristics need to be as good and safe as they can be.

If anyone has the time, about a third down this page is a fairly lengthy clip of James May exploring the flying car concept (clip entitled Aerocar):
Ephemeral Isle

[Dave Unwin]

Pace, I drove a 'Plastic Pig' once and hated it. I always thought that the only reason Reliant made them with 3 wheels was because you could drive them on a motorbike licence. A friend has a Bond Bug in his hangar. At speeds above 70, I'm reliably informed that the handling is marginal. Of the millions and millions of cars built over the last 100 years, I'd bet that 99.999999% had four wheels. Probably a good reason for that. Incidentally, the AeroCar is frontwheel drive.
But I take your point that most nosedragger light aircraft are trikes (although - strictly speaking - just every jetliner ever made has two wheels at the front!)

[Pace]

although - strictly speaking - just every jetliner ever made has two wheels at the front!)

Dave

But not spaced apart in proportion to its size two separate tyres together treated as one to protect against one blowing out

Pace

[Dave Unwin]

I know - just teasing.

[Pilot DAR]

But thats not the point. How many aircraft do you know which are pure aircraft have four wheels two up front?

Well, every amphibious floatplane I have ever flown!

But, I completely agree, Cars are best with a wheel at each corner, and planes with a wheel at each point of a triangle. If there is any doubt about that, recall that 3 wheeled ATV's are now long banned from manufacture because of numerous poor handling accidents. Been there, done that.

[Dave Unwin]

Two excellent points DAR. Re the AeroCar, I would guess that Molt Taylor probably thought it would drive more than fly. Furthermore, remember that it is front-wheel drive, and has to tow the empennage/wings/tail/prop unit behind it. All of these points may have contributed to him making it with four wheels.
I certainly had a memorable couple of days flying and driving it, and would love to sample the Terrafugia.