Heaton’s Aerocommuter
Back in 1974, David Heaton spent $50,000 pursuing his dream of building an "aerocommuter" -- a two-person flying saucer that would "cost no more than a medium-priced American car," thereby allowing everyone to fly to work.
He claimed to have all the engineering problems worked out, but it doesn't sound like one of these things ever managed to leave the ground.
He claimed to have all the engineering problems worked out, but it doesn't sound like one of these things ever managed to leave the ground.
Aiken Standard - June 6, 1974
Comments
I'd put my money on this guy: http://moller.com/
Dr. Moller has been working on these designs for years but they are real and do fly. Check out the Neuera 200. This was the first design I became aware of some twenty years ago and it resembles the subject of today's discussion.
Dr. Moller has been working on these designs for years but they are real and do fly. Check out the Neuera 200. This was the first design I became aware of some twenty years ago and it resembles the subject of today's discussion.
Posted by KDP on 02/27/17 at 09:04 AM
I can tell you why it failed: that design would have massive lateral stability problems. Even a really good pilot -- and I am one -- would have difficulty keeping it under control without modern fly-by-wire systems. I wouldn't have flown it more than 12 inches off the ground on a bet. The average commuter would've had no chance whatsoever of surviving their first flight.
Posted by A Nonny Mouse on 02/27/17 at 09:34 AM
@A Nonny Mouse -- Why do you think all those reports of flying saucers say they were darting across the sky, making impossible turns, etc.. They simply can't fly in a straight line!
Posted by Phideaux on 02/27/17 at 01:45 PM
Perfect for the despairing commuter who hates his job and wants to kill himself...
Posted by Brian on 02/27/17 at 03:15 PM
Good thing it didn't make it into production. Harrison Ford might have one now.
Posted by Virtual on 02/28/17 at 01:51 PM
Moller has managed to make over one hundred million of other people's dollars disappear. Anyone who still believes there is any potential there is either delusional or a fool.
Posted by Keith Elliott on 02/28/17 at 09:31 PM
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Category: Inventions | Air Travel and Airlines | 1970s