Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Strap-On Helicopter Could Offer Solo Flying Experience
www.physorg.com ^ | 05/02/2008 | Staff

Posted on 05/02/2008 12:13:37 PM PDT by Red Badger

Technologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) has designed a strap-on helicopter. Tiny rockets on the tips of the propellers eliminate the need for a tail rotor, making it possible for the device to be worn on a human body. Credit: TAM.

Ever since the first human saw a bird soaring through the clouds, our species has harbored a great envy for the freedom that flying gives.

Now a company from Mexico is trying to capitalize on this desire with their design for a strap-on helicopter, which is intended to be worn on the back of an individual and lift them into the air. The idea is not new, but the technology may have some novelty, although details are sparse.

Technologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM), the company behind the Libelula strap-on helicopter, explains on its Web site how the device is powered by two hydrogen fuel canisters. Tiny rockets at the tips of the helicopter´s rotor blades take the place of a tail rotor, a component which couldn´t be safely attached to a human body. According to the company, the Libelula would be the lightest helicopter in the world, so light that it could be strapped to a person´s body with a carbon fiber corset.

"The best [part] of this technology is that [these] kinds of helicopters don´t need a tail rotor because they don´t have any torque, so with a simple vane they can turn - being the simplest form of an helicopter and the easiest and safer to fly," the company says on its Web site.

At the moment, the idea is just an idea. However, the company has a successful history of developing and fabricating a variety of hydrogen peroxide rockets, jet packs, a flying rocket belt, rocket bicycles, and other similar machines. And on its Web site, the company claims to have most of the components for the Libelula helicopter - many of which are the same as those on the rocket belt - and suggests that it is only a matter of time before embarking on a test flight.

More information: Technologia Aeroespacial Mexicana


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Technical
KEYWORDS: aircraft; flying; freeluddites; freepun; helicopter; stupididea
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last
Great, so much for the border fence! The Mexicans will be flying across!.........
1 posted on 05/02/2008 12:16:01 PM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Decapitation waiting to happen.


2 posted on 05/02/2008 12:16:49 PM PDT by cdbull23 (What's going on in my brain? Check it out: cainsbrain.blogspot.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“strap-on” “ Libelula “

For crying out loud.


3 posted on 05/02/2008 12:17:12 PM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

hmmm. You first, k?


4 posted on 05/02/2008 12:17:37 PM PDT by Ol' Sox
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

can’t wait to get a piece of THIS IPO!


5 posted on 05/02/2008 12:18:09 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Kinda makes a safety parachute a bit of a problem.


6 posted on 05/02/2008 12:18:47 PM PDT by Lazamataz (Secondhand Aztlan Smoke causes drug addiction obesity in global warming cancer immigrant terrorists.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“Jane...how do you stop this crazy thing???”


7 posted on 05/02/2008 12:19:23 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (I miss Ronnie!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Wonder if Hillary approves of this strap on device for use in the USA?


8 posted on 05/02/2008 12:19:27 PM PDT by badpacifist (They say your head can be a prison Then, these are just conjugal visits.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Hold muh beer and watch THIS! SPLAT!

/johnny

9 posted on 05/02/2008 12:19:34 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Bless us all, each, and every one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Good...... Stinger practice Hoooo!!!


10 posted on 05/02/2008 12:19:43 PM PDT by RSmithOpt (Liberalism: Highway to Hell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tijeras_Slim; martin_fierro; dighton

This will not end well.

11 posted on 05/02/2008 12:20:02 PM PDT by Constitution Day
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

However, the company has a successful history of developing and fabricating a variety of hydrogen peroxide rockets, jet packs, a flying rocket belt, rocket bicycles, and other similar machines.”

The board is made up entirely of 9 year old boys??!


12 posted on 05/02/2008 12:20:12 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Heliofly III-59 (1943)

This is an old idea. If it was a good idea the skies would be filled with them.

13 posted on 05/02/2008 12:21:43 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Hold ma beer....


14 posted on 05/02/2008 12:21:59 PM PDT by Psycho_Bunny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“Great, so much for the border fence! The Mexicans will be flying across!.........”

Oh Boy!
Skeet shooting!

How do you say “PULL” in Spanish?


15 posted on 05/02/2008 12:22:02 PM PDT by chaosagent (Remember, no matter how you slice it, forbidden fruit still tastes the sweetest!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

So once you land on US soil, how do you get it back to the Mexican side so the next guy can use it? Or are they planning to build a fleet of them?


16 posted on 05/02/2008 12:22:11 PM PDT by MAexile (Bats left, votes right)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Hmmmm ... I wonder if you could get good enough to trim the hedges.

The wife wouldn't want me just flying around having a good time.

17 posted on 05/02/2008 12:22:21 PM PDT by G.Mason (Duty, Honor, Country)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Constitution Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwVA698Hx2g&feature=related

We’re going to need another Timmy....


18 posted on 05/02/2008 12:24:53 PM PDT by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: chaosagent
How do you say “PULL” in Spanish?

Tire!..........

19 posted on 05/02/2008 12:25:19 PM PDT by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Tiny rockets at the tips of the helicopter´s rotor blades take the place of a tail rotor, a component which couldn´t be safely attached to a human body.

I don't understand this. I think the only way this works is if the rockets prevented the rotors from turning. The problem is the rotors turning in one direction--not how they turn. If they are turning, there is torque, no?

20 posted on 05/02/2008 12:25:23 PM PDT by ModelBreaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson