2008 2007 2006 2005 and prior

2008 Progress Highlights

Perspective and Retrospective

We were surprised that it took all of 2007 to fabricate the prototypes for the AirCar and ElectriCar. The project could probably have been accelerated by increasing the number of persons working on it, but we are happy with the quality of both vehicles. One advantage of making slower than hoped for progress is that the many decisions that needed to be made during the process were able to be handled without very much rework. During 2008 we expect to do a comparative engineering study for cost, weight and manufacturability to decide which materials will be used for the fuselage skin, frame and chassis. Once this has been completed we will be ready to do the engineering work necessary to build the AirCar as a flyable airplane.

January 2008

The AirCar windows, nacelles, canards and light have been installed. Aerodynamic testing was completed on the ElectriCar to determine the amount and coefficients of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. This was accomplished by towing the vehicle at speeds from 10 MPH to 60 MPH and measuring the total drag, and also performing coast down tests where GPS speeds were logged to the computer each second. Rolling resistance is currently higher than desired (.022 versus .006 - requiring 5 HP to overcome rolling resistance at 60 MPH). Aerodynamic resistance was computed at .209 and with our cross sectional area of 1.5 sq meters, the CdA was computed as 0.313, or requiring 5 HP to overcome aerodynamic resistance at 60 MPH.

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February 2008

Much of February was spent getting ready to go to the New York Auto Show, which occurred March 21-30. Brochures, posters, lapel stickers and a video was produced.

                                                                                                              

March 2008

The AirCar and ElectriCar were transported to New York in our 28 ft enclosed trailer, along with our pickup. The show ran from 11 am to 10:30 pm except on Sundays when it was open from 10 am to 7 pm. We had good press coverage. Hundreds of thousands of people stopped by our booth, and most of them asked if the AirCar could fly. We explained that we are about two years away from having the first AirCar flying. We handed out 44,000 brochures and 7,000 stickers.

 

 

April 2008

Several revisions to the fuselage size are being made then the work to engineer and build the final version of the common fuselage for both the ElectriCar and AirCar will begin. Revisions include shortening the fuselage from 200" to 180" and increasing the size of the fuselage at the rear seat by 3" in height and 2" in width. The shorter fuselage length will allow the ElectriCar to be 5" longer than a Prius, while keeping the original length of the AirCar. We also expect that this shorter fuselage will improve airflow around the engine nacelles on the AirCar.

May & June 2008

Work continued on the revisions to the common fuselage for the AirCar and ElectriCar. In addition to shortening the fuselage to 180", increasing  the rear seat area by 3" in height and 2" in width, the tops of the doors were raised by 4" and the front of the front doors were moved forward 8". Additionally, the vehicle width has been reduced from 72" to 66" by bringing the wheels in 3" on each side. A new CFD (computational fluid dynamics) study has been initiated to compare the new fuselage shape with the previous one for overall drag and smoothness of airflow. Work also continues on the AirCar prototype. An electric motor has been installed so the vehicle moves under its own power. The rear wheels now move electrically between air mode and road mode, and work is progressing on the main wing actuation.

July & August 2008

Work progresses on the shorter 180" fuselage with component placement and an interior ergonomic study.