Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... fuel-electric hybrid air car? Well, yes actually, but right now it's more ready-to-go concept than airborne reality. This brainchild of Trek Aerospace designer Michael Moshier and test-pilot Robert Bulaga employs the same ducted-fan tech the duo used in their DARPA-funded, NASA design-assisted, Popular Science 'Invention of the Year' winning SoloTrek. Like its predecessor, this hybrid air car is ideal for those close-quartered take-off and landing situations thanks to its enclosed propulsion system -- good news for birds, trees and even human heads everywhere. Though still in the design phase, the pair hopes a generous round of funding will propel this 1960s Jetsons promise into a world-class fleet. While we can't see the DMV rushing to approve licenses of this sort for the common joe, the copter-car should prove beneficial in roadless third-world nations, and maybe even lend a covered-propeller hand to first-world emergency service units. Pay attention billionaires of the world, this flying car's got your bank account written all over it. PR for the deep-pocketed after the break.
[Image credit via Michael Moshier/Robert Bulaga]
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Silicon Valley Team Creating First Hybrid 'Air Car'
Philanthropists and Sponsors to Support Prototype Development in USA
Fuel-electric Hybrid Air Car
Los Altos, CA (PRWEB) June 28, 2011
A new company in formation invites financial benefactors to become involved with its history-making project. Join forces with well-known aircraft designer, engineer, inventor, and visionary Michael Moshier, and renowned, senior aerospace engineer, aircraft designer and test-pilot Robert Bulaga, in the development of the world's first, fuel-electric hybrid air car.
Moshier, Bulaga, and their innovative engineering team previously developed and successfully flight-tested a revolutionary ducted-fan-powered, one-man VTOL [1] aircraft named SoloTrek™. This critical work, supported in part by $5 million in funding from DARPA [2], along with collaborative design assistance and wind-tunnel testing facilities at NASA Ames, resulted in world-wide recognition and accolades, including Popular Science's Invention of the Year Award for the team's innovative aircraft [3].
Click link to see SoloTrek prototype flight test video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUs8riw9Afo&feature=related
Today, using the same, proven ducted-fan technology, plus new technological advances in materials & electronics, the company is ready to begin development and testing of its hybrid, multi-passenger air car concept vehicle immediately once adequate funding has been secured. "Ever since the Jetsons, we've been promised that an air car is just around the corner," says Moshier, "but the technologies and knowledge necessary to build such a machine have not been available – until now! And it will be developed here in the USA!"
Bulaga adds, "It is no longer a question of if it can be done. We have the proven technology, key development partners, and operational experience to be successful with this project."
For many third-world countries with no established transportation infrastructure, a vehicle that can takeoff and land anywhere, and travel from point A to B at high-speed, could fulfill many critical needs. In more developed countries, the hybrid air car could provide a unique solution to normal day-to-day and emergency transportation challenges resulting from metropolitan gridlock. The air car would also have numerous specialized applications such as search and rescue, police patrol, medivac, and many others.
To learn more about individual or corporate philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities, contact Mr. Moshier [by email only] to request the PDF document: Hybrid Air Car Development Overview and Funding Plan. Please be sure to include relevant background information on yourself and/or your organization. Benefactor anonymity and privacy are assured. No information about respondents will be divulged without their permission.
[1] VTOL: Vertical Take-Off and Landing.
[2] DARPA: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
[3] The original SoloTrek aircraft prototype remains on permanent display at the Hiller Aircraft Museum in San Carlos, CA.
