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I spoke with two A&P mechanic friends yesterday.
I explained a lot of what I was doing and both were able to understand and grasp the concepts.
They were both blown away by the implications, but both need to have a day job to pay the bills, and neither is an engineer....
I explained a lot of what I was doing and both were able to understand and grasp the concepts.
They were both blown away by the implications, but both need to have a day job to pay the bills, and neither is an engineer....
... so on a very "mechanics" level, without all the engineering terms and math, they were able to see that the concepts could work and how they would fit into old and new craft. I explained how a Cessna 172 engine could be replaced, and how a Diesel truck engine could be...
... be removed from existing semi truck tractors and replaced with this new engine. The new features and savings would then be able to make $70-140k / year on a $70k investment, thus funding the R&D for the airplanes, leading to a flying semi truck.
Key is prototype of engine.
Key is prototype of engine.
... but before I do a prototype, I want to have the semi truck and seaplane concepts worked out to a high level of detail so that the engine can work in them without having to redesign the engine.
This iteration is key to SHORTENING the time needed to finish the seaplane....
This iteration is key to SHORTENING the time needed to finish the seaplane....
... which is my personal goal. It however does lengthen the time to get the engine done.
If the engine is not right for the seaplane, it could be used in other applications. But if it can be used in seaplane AND other applications, I will be much further ahead...
If the engine is not right for the seaplane, it could be used in other applications. But if it can be used in seaplane AND other applications, I will be much further ahead...
... Due to the nature of the engine and the potential sizing/power options, this engine can go into hundreds of different applications, unlike most all engines that are custom to the niche. This is more akin to a memory chip that can go into many computing applications...
... This ability to be flexible in so many vehicles is perhaps the most difficult part for people to see. They are used to seeing each engine be unique to the airplane or car and not modular and scaleable like this engine is.
The same parts that run an economy car can run...
The same parts that run an economy car can run...
... in a high performance car or airplane, not by making them unique, but by how they are added together to orchestrate a different effect and system with certain unique parts that allow the custom interface. Thus each application has "volume before volume" production is able.
... This volume before volume concepts means that the engine used in an airplane can get the volume production of the part from many applications unrelated to the airplane.
Why are GA airplanes set up with Lycoming, Rotax, and Continental? Because volume is key to costs...
Why are GA airplanes set up with Lycoming, Rotax, and Continental? Because volume is key to costs...
... when the volume of airplanes is low.
No car company buys engines from a supplier. Why? Because they have the volume needed to get the model engine costs down enough to make them for less than a common supplier like Rotax can.
Cessna and Piper don't have the volume to...
No car company buys engines from a supplier. Why? Because they have the volume needed to get the model engine costs down enough to make them for less than a common supplier like Rotax can.
Cessna and Piper don't have the volume to...
...to make their own engines and certify them under the FAA rules.
This could occur in car manufacturers with this new engine tech. It will be the low cost producer. The tech will be compelling enough with 4x better fuel economy, and many other things, to make them want it.
This could occur in car manufacturers with this new engine tech. It will be the low cost producer. The tech will be compelling enough with 4x better fuel economy, and many other things, to make them want it.
It will also enable NEW car companies to arise, just like it will in airplanes.
The attack on cars will come from the air, where roadable airplanes, that can also be cars, will allow 150-300 mpg utility vehicles unable with existing concepts found at the major cars companies..
The attack on cars will come from the air, where roadable airplanes, that can also be cars, will allow 150-300 mpg utility vehicles unable with existing concepts found at the major cars companies..
So, when people ask me if I want to get into cars, I say why bother? Why not leap frog cars and go straight to roadable airplanes that can shed the wings for local tight traffic and be super high MPG cars with unique features not found in old car designs like Model 3 Tesla...
What is a model 3 Tesla?
It is a tight sporty car with a tablet instrument panel and electric motor systems with lots of installed power.
It still has the four tires in the corner. It still has the console. It still has all the limits of usefulness found in a Camry type car
It is a tight sporty car with a tablet instrument panel and electric motor systems with lots of installed power.
It still has the four tires in the corner. It still has the console. It still has all the limits of usefulness found in a Camry type car
Ask yourself why there is a Model 3 and a cyber truck?
Can't we get to one that does it all? I can. Both the model 3 and cyber truck are useless to me... I would not want to even own them, let alone drive them and wait to have them charged up. Silly nonsense.
Can't we get to one that does it all? I can. Both the model 3 and cyber truck are useless to me... I would not want to even own them, let alone drive them and wait to have them charged up. Silly nonsense.
