PIX: A motorbike that can fly at 278 kmph?

Australian Chris Malloy has developed a prototype of a flying motorcycle that in theory can reach height of over 3,000 metres, with a maximum speed of 278 km per hour.

Currently in testing phase, the Hoverbike, as Malloy calls it, should only pass the first test flight within a few months.

The invention is the result of two and a half years of hard work that happened in Malloy's garage. The result is a flying motorcycle built from a body of carbon fibre reinforced by Kevlar, with space to accommodate only the pilot.

In place of the two propellers rotating wheels are made of a mixture of oak of Tasmania and reinforced carbon fibre.

The motion control is done entirely through the handlebars of the vehicle. While the right hand is responsible for increasing or decreasing the speed, the left is responsible for determining the slope of the bike and propel it forward or backward.

To become a flying motorcycle, just turn the handlebars in the desired direction, as well as in the terrestrial version of the means of transport.

The web site (http://www.hover-bike.com/) lists out some specs and applications of the hoverbike as follows:

Hovebike at a glance:

• Airspeed Vne:  150 KIAS (untested)
• Hover (out of ground effect): >10,000ft (estimated)
• Dry weight: 110kg
• Max gross weight: 270kg
• Total thrust: 295kg
• Engine: 80kw @ 7500 RPM

Hoverbike applications

• Aerial Cattle mustering
• Search and Rescue
• Aerial Survey
• Wildlife and Parks
• Film
• Power-line Inspection

Safety in the air

To ensure the safety of Hoverbike, Malloy made sure it counted most components with triple redundancy systems as a way to avoid possibly fatal miscommunication. The inventor also plans to include two parachutes for the drivers of the vehicle and forcing the user to use a security device itself.

Before making the first practical tests, the inventor intends to include several gyroscopes in the vehicle. In addition to planning improvements to the controls, ensuring greater stability during flights, Malloy does not rule out the inclusion of a computer responsible for controlling functions and prevent novice riders from suffering injuries.

Likewise, a cover for the drivers will be included, thus preventing people from coming in contact with the spinning blades.

Like Hoverbike can be considered an ultralight vehicle, one will need to get a professional pilot license to use it. The expectation is that the vehicle is initially produced with an initial run of 100 units per year at a price of approximately US $ 40,000. However, there is no indication of when the commercial production of the invention will become reality.

Technology suspicion

Even with several photos and an official web site dedicated to the project, there are still many doubts concerning the veracity of the project. This is due to the lack of any video recording the tests conducted so far, which only becomes more suspect because of the excuses posted by Malloy on the project page, claiming that technical problems prevented him from recording images of the invention in operation.

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