Via:

"Motorcycles of the Air May Give Wings to All" (click to enlarge) Via: Modern Mechanix

Boys will be boys. Via: Early Aeroplanes

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Ian Ashpole prepares to jump from his specially customised chopper-style motorcycle, suspended beneath a hot-air balloon at 3000 feet over the Ashton Court Estate, on August 9, 2005 in Bristol, England. Via: Life

Scoot the Clouds.

By Peanuts23 .Via: Dark Roasted Blend

To the clouds...

The De Lackner Aerocycle is not only the ultimate in one-man flying machines, but also the ultimate in aerial safety.

Since the operator stands on a tiny platform with a pair of naked helicopter blades whirling beneath him at food-processor speeds there is a great inducement not to fall off.

Via: Flying Solo

Wake me in a thousand years..

The Allied Aerotechnics AirBike. Via: Future Hi

Cobra.

Space Pirate Cobra with his Skybike Via: Toys Square Thailand

On a wing and a....

"The Skybike was an experimental prototype microlight that integrated a Yamaha YZ80 motorcross motorbike into the trike unit which could be detached and used independently within a couple of minutes. The motorcycle had its own engine independent of the microlight engine and the pilot sat on the motorcycle seat but used his feet to steer the handle bars on the ground. The application was military following interest from the British Army. It is believed that a second prototype was also designed which had a single engine to power both the bike and aircraft propulsion. The Skybike was test flown up to 5500 feet."

Via: Microlight.org

“It’s like a motorcycle for the sky”

One man assembles a Hiller Rotorcycle, while another flies above - Courtesy Hiller Aviation Museum

Designed by Stanley Hiller to help downed pilots evade enemy capture. Small enough to fit into a pod slung under an aircraft, the collapsible Rotorcycle could be dropped by parachute and assembled in minutes with no special tools. Pilots could conceivably strap themselves into the craft for a quick and safe getaway.

The Rotorcycle’s dimensions speak for themselves; the aircraft measures in at less than 19 feet long and less than 8 feet high with a weight of only 290 pounds. Compared to other helicopters, the Rotorcycle is modest.

Hiller won the 1954 Navy Bureau of Aeronautics contract to build a one-person helicopter because of the innovative design featuring his patented “Rotormatic” gyro-stabilization system which connects to the main rotor and allows for easy flying. The Rotorcycle also utilized a Nelson H-59, two cycle, 40 horsepower, four-cylinder engine rather than an air-cooled engine.

Plans for the Rotorcycle saw it not just as an escape craft but also as a vehicle from which infantrymen could descend to the ground quickly for strategic missions. The expectation was that a pilot could fly the helicopter after just eight hours of instruction.

The first Rotorcycle flew in 1957. English aircraft manufacturer Sanders Roe was contracted to build 10 more between 1959 and 1961. Only a handful of these helicopters are in existence as the military canceled testing before the Rotorcycle entered service and halted production at number 12. Several Rotorcycles are unaccounted for or missing, and just a couple are in museums.

Via: Skycontrol

Props..

The Space Cycle Built for "Super Joe" Einhorn by Ky Michaelson

The Flying motorcycle's design evolves.

By Mike Collins Via: aopa.org

"Samson Motorworks has been working on a flying motorcycle, the Switchblade, for two and a half years. The three-wheel motorcycle’s design features three lifting surfaces, like the Piaggio Avanti, and side-by-side seating for two people. “These are actually pretty exciting times for us,” Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Motorworks, said at Sun ’n Fun. “In the last two months we’ve seen options that reduce our weight by 200 pounds and increase the range by 50 nautical miles.”

A swinging wing has replaced the design’s original telescoping wing. “They convinced me it could be done, and it provided a lot of benefit,” Bousfield said, citing reduced maintenance, weight savings, and range increase. “On the ground, the wings are tucked in and protected.” The wings will fold beneath the motorcycle’s body; clamshell doors and a steel keel will protect them from “road rash” and unseen speed bumps, he added.

The company plans to complete a prototype in time to display it at the Oshkosh air show July 27 through August 2, and then begin constructing a flying prototype that Bousfield hopes will take to the air early next year. “We lost some time with the switch from the swing wing to the telescoping wing,” he said.

Why a flying motorcycle? “The motorcycle manufacturing regulations are a lot simpler, and reflect aviation more than automotive [regulations],” he said. “We don’t have to meet automobile safety standards, because we’re a motorcycle—[although] we do anticipate a front crumple zone.” A desire to grow aviation is another motivation. “I wanted to bring in new pilots to aviation,” Bousfield explained. “If we don’t do that, we’re missing out on our future. We want to expand the usefulness of aviation and reduce the cost of flying.” To attract newcomers, the interior will include air conditioning and a sound system.

The Switchblade is “one smoking little vehicle,” Bousfield said. It is expected to have the power-to-weight ratio of a Ferrari Testarossa, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. He anticipates a range of 300 nm, cruise speed of 128 knots, maximum speed of 168 knots, and stall speed of 61 knots, with an ability to carry 400 pounds of passengers and 50 pounds of luggage. Anticipated takeoff distance is 500 feet or less.

It will be certified as an experimental homebuilt aircraft; Bousfield said the company might seek experimental light sport aircraft certification at some point, although most customers want higher speeds than ELSA would allow.

Engineers are working to reduce its weight of 1,400 pounds. The company hopes to use a 120-horsepower rotary engine from the United Kingdom if it’s certified in time; otherwise, several motorcycle and aircraft conversion engines would work, Bousfield noted. Rudder control has not been determined, but may be accomplished with hat switches on the control wheel. Cameras will provide visibility to the rear, and an optional ballistic parachute will be offered."

On a wing and a prayer.

Via: Modern Mechanix

Flicker: The Airbike.

Via: oxoc's photostream

On a wing and a prayer.

Via: skycycle

The Jumper.

Via: Zamak Blog

Cloud pedaling.

Via: wheeliad

Hows the air up there? The AirBike.

"The AirBike has been under development since 1984. The personal VTOL aircraft concept was submitted to American Inventors Corporation. File number 31848 was deemed unsuitable for representation by American inventors Corporation on June 5, 1987.

The idea of a vertical takeoff and landing, personal air vehicle is not new. Its coming has been foretold in countless science fiction and fantasy novels and movies

There are many such vehicles currently under development around the globe. Although each concept is unique, they share a common goal. The freedom to travel from point A to point B without the restrictions and confines of prepared roads or landing strips. The freedom to go where your will commands."


The concepts are as varied as the prototypes of the first flying machines. They range from configurations like small rotorcraft that suspend the rider under its propellers, to those that more closely resemble modern automobiles. The AirBike emulates the upright riding position of a motorcycle. It is perhaps the most natural position for any vehicle. After all, it is the same position mankind has used for thousands of years while riding horse back.

This position allows for 360-degree views of the rider’s surroundings, both above and below. It also enables the rider to use his or her bodyweight to help control the craft.