piaqt Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 The SoloTrek XFV, which made its maiden "flight" in December 2001, is scheduled to go on sale Friday on eBay with a starting bid of about $50,000. The prototype has only hovered a few feet off the ground in tests. But it is built to zoom up to 69 mph for 100 miles, carrying a person who weighs up to 180 pounds. Two overhead ducted fans lift the gas-powered machine, and a standing operator steers with a joystick in each hand."We didn't want to test it higher than we were willing to fall," Moshier said.Engineers at Trek Aerospace retired the prototype last summer to concentrate on a second-generation model with better joysticks and a smoother engine. The Sunnyvale-based company hopes to sell personal flying machines to the military, allowing soldiers to pass over swamps, mine fields and other rough terrain.The company is studying whether consumers would use its craft, which theoretically could ascend to 10,000 feet.The winner of the auction must sign a contract promising not to fly the prototype, to use it for exhibition only. Moshier expects to sell the aluminum and titanium machine to a museum or aviation enthusiast."It's a different kind of aircraft," he said. "It has a tremendous amount of historical value." Source
Crispy Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 Cool enought ... but check out this one:They won't be for "exhibition only", but available to everyone! ... In the beginning you would need to be a licensed pilot but the company behind this Flying car have plans of making it 99% computer operated so you won't need to be a pilot to fly/own one!!Purchase you own right now!!More info!Enjoy!
FthrJACK Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 yay!what a boost for the kyoto agreement... not.All good but i think we need clean fuel first.
Crispy Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 what a boost for the kyoto agreement... not.28 miles per gallon ... I think thats quite good considering that the "Cruiseing" speed is 350+ MPH
Robertson Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 least there would be less traffic if u wanted to go to work
Doggie Posted January 8, 2003 Posted January 8, 2003 lol.. the latest in robbin banks and escapin quickly
piaqt Posted January 9, 2003 Author Posted January 9, 2003 lol.. the latest in robbin banks and escapin quicklynot to mention water balloons.
ThA_FiLeR Posted January 9, 2003 Posted January 9, 2003 err.. starting @ $500,000 how are they planning to sell these things?!
FthrJACK Posted January 10, 2003 Posted January 10, 2003 i just know someone is going to take a leak while flying one of these over a crowd. w00t
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