Flying Motorcycles? Heck Yes!!

[Rams]

Forget Flying Cars. The World’s First Flying Motorcycle Is Coming.

https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/new-air-bike-fly-250-mph-1234629791/?fbclid=IwAR2DrsTcSa0MiJTTeYS5lbtvwziElp4gUTkYHxvGYr51CF9VYiNZAcxAYFw

The Speeder's design team said the sci-fi sky-bike recently passed flight tests. They expect it to be commercially available by 2023.

Flying cars and flying people with jet packs are on the way, so why not flying motorcycles?

Jetpack Aviation, which already makes vertical people propellers, just announced a successful test flight of its jet-driven flying motorcycle prototype. The projected performance is Easy Rider-worthy bad-ass, and best of all, the California company plans to produce two consumer versions for everyday users.

The Speeder is an engineering feat that required Jetpack Aviation to write its own flight-control software program to monitor and adjust the thrust. The benefit of that work, which took a year and a half, is an intuitive system that functions like a typical motorcycle and automatically stabilizes the machine in flight. It can take off and land vertically from most surfaces in roughly the space taken up by a car, and it can be programmed to fly autonomously.

“We could have an ultralight version [which requires no pilot’s license] ready within two years and an experimental category version within six months after that,” Jetpack Aviation CEO David Mayman told Robb Report. “The ultralight version would be limited to 60 mph (FAA rules) and a flight time of 15 minutes. The experimental version would require a basic pilot’s license to fly. The speed of this version would be approximately 250 mph with a flight time of about 35 minutes.”

Although the original design projected four turbines (as shown in the images accompanying this article), the final product will have eight, two at each corner of the bike to provide safety through redundancy. They will also offer impressive power, allowing the roughly 300-pound Speeder to carry 600 pounds, a size-to-payload ratio that sets the Speeder apart from other VTOL craft. The air cycle also has hand controls, a 12-inch navigation screen, and radio system.

An updated Speeder 2.0 version of the prototype will undergo more intensive testing this summer and fall before construction wraps up. Testing is expected to begin in early 2022. For all its own operations, including future testing, Jetpack has made a deal with Prometheus Fuels, Inc., to use that company’s 100 percent zero net-carbon fuel.

The future will also include commercial versions for military and public safety organizations that have detachable wings for increased range, storage compartments to hold fire retardant, medical personnel and equipment, or injured passengers.

Before anyone asks, yes I want one.   I figure that if I cash in any life insurance applicable to me, I might be able to afford a down payment..

[sandy]

At $381,000 I should place my order when I get my next SS check.

[Jess from VA]

At $381,000 I should place my order when I get my next SS check.

Yeah, me too.

WTH, get two.   


BTW, my brother just finished building his 2d airplane.  And multiple flights.

A Bearhawk Patrol  (and in only 20 months).  Exceptional short takeoff and landing.

[Rams]

At $381,000 I should place my order when I get my next SS check.

Yeah, me too.

WTH, get two.   


BTW, my brother just finished building his 2d airplane.  And multiple flights.

A Bearhawk Patrol  (and in only 20 months).  Exceptional short takeoff and landing.

Very Cool.   Upon arriving in Hattiesburg area, I was invited to join the local EAA club.  Some pretty cool flying machines belonging to it's members.   My problem is, we have very little in common, they think and speak fixed wing and I think and speak rotary wing.   Although I get asked a lot of questions, most of them walk away with funny looks on the faces like they don't understand what I just said.  Of course, I could be accused of the same thing frequently.   I doubt I'll stay involved, that's an expensive hobby and I have other interests.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Airplanes are all expensive.  Helicopters are stupid expensive.

I think the kit for my brother's plane was $45K (he saved up).  He's crazy about his planes and flying.  I just hope he can keep passing his physicals; they're pretty hard ass about that. 

He's also the most gifted tradesman I know in multiple fields.  His tools, equipment and workshop is huge.  Most of that equipment and machinery, he bought as junk, then rebuilt them.

After he built his 30 foot trawler style boat from scratch (from his own oak tree lumber), and custom trailer, he was too tight to buy a small motorcycle for it, so he made one of those too. 

[Psychotic Bovine]

This looks pretty cool.  I would be crapping myself every time I rode it. 
Great thing about it's ability to fly autonomously is that when the rider hits the ground like a sack of wet cement, the bike will come down safely!

[Rams]

This looks pretty cool.  I would be crapping myself every time I rode it. 
Great thing about it's ability to fly autonomously is that when the rider hits the ground like a sack of wet cement, the bike will come down safely!

See, there's a silver lining to every dark cloud (ie. the price). 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

While normal motorcycles do not have seat belts (and you know the safety fanatics though long and hard about it), this thing would have to have one. 

Your cruising along at 200 mph, and hit a little gust and suddenly your a bird (that can't fly).



250 mph with a flight time of about 35 minutes

Much better, make it 80mph for 3 hours. 

[Rams]

While normal motorcycles do not have seat belts (and you know the safety fanatics though long and hard about it), this thing would have to have one. 

Your cruising along at 200 mph, and hit a little gust and suddenly your a bird (that can't fly).


Much better, make it 80mph for 3 hours. 

As I tell my spouse, every trip is an adventure. 

Rams

[Chrisj CMA]

Just don’t run out of fuel. 

[Rams]

Just don’t run out of fuel. 

Pretty much true of anything that flies (under powered flight).   
Hang gliders, parachutes and some others would be exempt. 

Rams

[Wizzard]

Lots of people cannot handle driving in 2 dimensions at 65 mph. The thought is terrifying of them handling 3 dimensions at close to 200 mph. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. Looks like fun for those who are skilled though.

[Chrisj CMA]

Just don’t run out of fuel.  

Pretty much true of anything that flies (under powered flight).  
Hang gliders, parachutes and some others would be exempt.  

Rams

Of course but when you are dealing with such a small tank it don’t take long. And airplanes have run out of gas.

[f6gal]

I want it for sure.  I could sell the rental house to buy it (as long as the market doesn't crash before it comes out).  One problem I see though, 250 mph without with only that tiny wind break?  On the ground, even with a full windshield, it starts getting difficult to see at about 110 mph. 

[Rams]

I want it for sure.  I could sell the rental house to buy it (as long as the market doesn't crash before it comes out).  One problem I see though, 250 mph without with only that tiny wind break?  On the ground, even with a full windshield, it starts getting difficult to see at about 110 mph. 

Short folks don't need a big wind screen, you'll be fine.   

Rams

[RP#62]

Airplanes do run out of gas, but most have a pretty good glide ratio.  I'll that that glides like a rock.

-RP

[f6gal]

Airplanes do run out of gas, but most have a pretty good glide ratio.  I'll that that glides like a rock.

-RP

Maybe it has a safety parachute.

[Jess from VA]

I suggest they not be sold in the Middle East. 

This is as far as our technology sold over there should go.

[98valk]

this is better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kB-BGMXxZc

Jet Engines Strapped to Feet Going 103.4 MPH!

[Rams]

this is better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kB-BGMXxZc

Jet Engines Strapped to Feet Going 103.4 MPH!

I couldn't master a skate board, I'm thinking falling off of that at altitude and speed might be somewhat more painful.   

Rams 

[Chrisj CMA]

I want it for sure.  I could sell the rental house to buy it (as long as the market doesn't crash before it comes out).  One problem I see though, 250 mph without with only that tiny wind break?  On the ground, even with a full windshield, it starts getting difficult to see at about 110 mph.  

I don’t know. Skydiving at over 120 miles per hour with just tiny goggles I never remember struggling to see clearly, in fact that’s one of the threats to a skydiver. It’s too peaceful you can lose awareness of time and space and find yourself running out of sky

[0leman]

This whole idea looks cool.   Being able to ride(fly) across the skies.  BUT, you are relying on a computer to keep you level.  A system board made by man.   If your computer has issues on a ground vehicle, you'll just cruise to a stop and walk.  What happens when it quits at 1000 feet?   Won't be pretty.

Besides I have issues with heights.  So probably won't ride this vehicle.

[Rams]

This whole idea looks cool.   Being able to ride(fly) across the skies.  BUT, you are relying on a computer to keep you level.  A system board made by man.   If your computer has issues on a ground vehicle, you'll just cruise to a stop and walk.  What happens when it quits at 1000 feet?   Won't be pretty.

Besides I have issues with heights.  So probably won't ride this vehicle.

Everything, everything we do in life comes with some risk.   You consider the Pros and Cons, make a decision and go with it.   There's some things I wish I had taken a different path but over all, I'm pretty happy with the decisions/paths I've taken.   This is one I'd give a shot.   It's definitely not for everyone. 

Rams