A revolution in personal transport

[clive milne]

Synergy aircraft design looks like it is set to revolutionise personal transport.

Many times cheaper than a conventional plane.
Three times more fuel efficient than most general aviation aircraft.
Achieves double the speed for a given power unit size.
Has a (comfortable) 6 person cabin, yet is smaller in size than a two seat trainer.
2800km range
Fuel consumption of 6L per 100km at 320km/h (17km/L)
Will be available in kit form and electric power option.
Designed for pressurisation (with an operating ceiling above 30,000')
Empty weight: 750kg
Minimum level flight speed: <55 KIAS

http://synergyaircraft.com/

I suspect Cessnas are going to be 3 deep at the tip in a couple of years time.

[LewisM]

Been a dream for over 80 years - and still no one has been capable of fulfilling the needs yet.

People are bad enough on the road, let alone in the sky. Saying these will revolutionise personal transport is a VERY long stretch. Sheesh, I can just see it when the weather turns to pot and suddenly all these non-IFR "drivers" ploughing into buildings, antennae, hills...

I don't see Cessna being overly concerned for quite some time to be honest. I applaud these guys for having a go and putting out there new designs, but the marketing rationale is old, tired and more often ignored than not. Be interesting when they finally make a 1:1 prototype.

Anyone remember the Moller aircars that were going to be in production and replacing cars...back in the 1980's... and nothing came of it.

[Wavytone]

Put 100,000 personal aircraft in the sky over Sydney in the morning peak and see what happens ... At least in a car you can slow to a crawl or stop in traffic... But not in an aircraft. And where are these things supposed to takeoff and land ?

Then add obstacles and bad weather, and that you'll still need a car at both ends of the journey to take you to/from the aircraft.

Its just yet another pipe dream for those with the time and resources to fly.

It's hardly revolutionary or new... The Bede 5J comes to mind - over 50% of the pilots who flew them were killed in the process. Short stubby wings and a short tail don't augur well.

[Shiraz]

that's a staggering specification Clive - so far ahead of the 60 year old conventional designs in every aspect and it still looks practical.

Combine with fly by wire smarts to allow mugs like me to drive it safely and it could open up lots of new possibilities.

edit: had a look at the images - love the BOAT test of the aerodynamics (Back of a Truck).

[alocky]

Suddenly makes a visit to a remote observatory in the middle of WA a sensible idea. The big question is: can I pack a 25" dob into it?
I don't think anybody is suggesting that this will replace the car for the daily commute. But I did see a personal jet pack in NZ that costs about the same as a BMW M3...
Cheers,
Andrew

[Wavytone]

Now what could possibly go wrong with that ;)

There is a reason why these things don't really catch on.

[rustigsmed]

now this is the real way forward!!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-25/new-zealand-aviation-company-to-develop-personalised-jetpack-wi/6260864

[LewisM]

Actually, they auger well (using the US aviator slang for an aircraft crash the drills a hole into the ground) :)

[alocky]

Well - the way up at least!
Yup - that's the one. As wavytone asked; what could possibly go wrong :shrug:
Cheers,
Andrew

[pgc hunter]

Melbourne drivers in the air. That's what we need. Half the population would be wiped out after day 1. :eyepop:

[Camelopardalis]

Natural selection? :P :lol: