Aerocar Incorporated

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AEROCAR Incorporated

logo
legal form Corporation
founding 1949
Seat Longview , Washington , United StatesUnited StatesUnited States 
Branch Development (early production) of flying cars
Website www.aerocar.com

Aerocar is a company founded in 1948 by engineer Moulton Taylor to develop (and once also manufacture) flying cars .

history

In February 1948 the engineer Moulton Taylor founded his company under the name Aerocar Incorporated in Longview, Washington at the local airport Kelso-Longview Regional Airport (today: Southwest Washington Regional Airport ; ICAO code : KKLS). The airport is also known as Molt Taylor Field .

The "Aerocar Model I" had its maiden flight as early as 1949 and was extensively tested, but only six examples were able to be completed. The development of the "Model II Aero-Plane" was canceled and work on the "Aerocar III" began. This model was supposed to go into series production, but shortly beforehand the approval regulations were tightened in the USA in the 1970s . Taylor then devoted himself to the amphibious aircraft "Aerocar Coot", which was primarily manufactured as a kit for amateur construction and flew for the first time in 1969. In 1970 the company was reorganized as Mini-IMP Aircraft Co. and developed from the Taylor IMP the smaller Taylor Mini-Imp . At the beginning of the 2000s an attempt was made to revive the original idea of ​​the flying car with the “Aerocar 2000” (based on a Lotus Elise ). However, none of the two prototypes built has actually flown (as of 2018).

Models

Model I.

The prototype of the “Model I” was completed in October 1949 and made its maiden flight shortly afterwards. An improved pre-series version received FAA approval in 1956, after which four more "Model I" were built. These six machines flew a total of 5,000 flight hours and covered 320,000 kilometers on the road. Two of these models are still active today and occasionally in the air. A model with the aircraft registration number N102D and serial number 2 was offered for sale at the Internet auction house Ebay for US dollars 3.5 million in 2008 .

The "Model I" was dismantled when it was driven on the road and the wings and the rear area were pulled behind the actual car as a trailer. The cell was made of aluminum and the body was made of fiberglass . It even had a safety system that blocked the engine (a 135 hp Lycoming O-290-D2 ) as long as the wings and tail area were not firmly attached. The FAA -approved took place on 20 February 1962, the number 4A16.

Taylor Aerocar Model 1 SNr. 2 license plates: N102D in Kissimmee
As an airplane As a car
speed 125 mph (201 km / h) 70 mph (113 km / h)
Range 500 mls (805 km) 300 mls (483 km)
length 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m) 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
span 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m) -
Altitude 12,000 ft (3,660 m) -

Model II

The "Model II", also known as "Aero-Plane", was a version in which road driving was dispensed with in favor of improved flight performance. The folding wings and the drive of the Model I were retained, by eliminating the road driving components, two additional passengers could be carried. The first flight took place in August 1953, but serial production of this model did not take place either.

As an airplane
Maximum speed 112 mph (180 km / h)
Range 300 mls (482 km)
length 21 ft 0 in (6.40 m)
height 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
span 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
Altitude 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
Wing area 168 sq ft (15.6 m²)
Initial rate of climb 500 ft / min (152 m / min)
Empty weight 1408 lb (638 kg)
Takeoff weight 1950 lb (884 kg)

Model III

Aerocar III

The "Model III" flew for the first time in June 1968 and proved to be a user-friendly and simple vehicle for 2 people. It was considered safe and was considered ready for series production. As with the previous models, however, there was no series production. The final end for Aerocar production came when the approval regulations were tightened in the USA in the early 1970s .

As an airplane
speed 137 mph (220 km / h)
Range 497 miles (800 km)
length 22 ft 12 in (7.00 m)
height 6 ft 11 in (2.10 m)
span 34 ft 1 in (10.40 m)
Altitude 12,000 ft (3,660 m)

Aerocar Coot

Aerocar Coot

The "Aerocar Coot" is an amphibious aircraft that is mainly produced as a kit for amateur construction. With over 70 units, it is one of the most successful models in this market segment. The first flight took place in 1969. The two prototypes had a different structural design. The Coot-A, the best-selling version, had a single tail, while the Coot-B had double tail booms. The wings and the tailplane are foldable so that the machine can be pulled by a car on a trailer. The kit is currently offered by Coot-Builders (as of 2018).

Data of the prototype
speed 96 mph (154 km / h)
Range 322 miles (515 km)
length 23 ft 6 in (7.17 m)
span 36 ft 2 in (11.03 m)
Service ceiling 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
Engine 1 × 100 hp Continental O-200

Aerocar 2000

Lotus Elise

The "Aerocar 2000" is a flying prototype based on the Lotus Elise . A new "hood" is put on the Lotus for flight, in which the wings and the engine (from Lotus Esprit ) are incorporated.

As an airplane As a car
speed 168 mph (270 km / h) 200 km / h
Range 300 miles (480 km) 800 km
length k. A. 3.72 m
height k. A. 1.20 m
span 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) -
Altitude k. A. -

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Website of the Mini-IMP Aircraft Co.
  2. ↑ message when Avweb.com from 1 December 2008
  3. ↑ Admission on the FAA website (PDF; 13 kB)
  4. ^ World Aircraft Information Files, File 889, page 15
  5. ^ William Green: The Aircraft of the World, December 1955
  6. ^ A b E. R. Johnson: American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft , McFarland and Co., 2009, p. 219 f.
  7. ↑ Web site coot-builders