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
Decapitation waiting to happen.
“strap-on” “ Libelula “
For crying out loud.
hmmm. You first, k?
can’t wait to get a piece of THIS IPO!
Kinda makes a safety parachute a bit of a problem.
“Jane...how do you stop this crazy thing???”
Wonder if Hillary approves of this strap on device for use in the USA?
/johnny
Good...... Stinger practice Hoooo!!!
This will not end well.
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??!
This is an old idea. If it was a good idea the skies would be filled with them.
Hold ma beer....
“Great, so much for the border fence! The Mexicans will be flying across!.........”
Oh Boy!
Skeet shooting!
How do you say “PULL” in Spanish?
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?
The wife wouldn't want me just flying around having a good time.
Tire!..........
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?
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