China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight motorcycle engines

Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by georgieporgie on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @06:20PM (#3045502)

I can't imagine very much more questionable than a flying machine built around two-stroke motorcycle engines. He probably realizes this, though, and has no illusions about its suitability to 'real world' use.

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Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by VBprogrammer on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @06:51PM (#3045601)

Actually, microlights of the last decade were built around 2 stroke engines originally designed for snow-mobile use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax

My main concern is that an engine failure in that design is an instant crash from whatever height you happen to be at.

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Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by 0x12 on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @07:32PM (#3045752)

Rotax also makes a four stroke (the 912).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax_912

I've flown an ultralight once and hung around an airfield for a while it's an amazing world. The aircraft that class as 'ultralights' these days can be pretty amazing:

http://www.mcp.com.au/sting/

Retractable landing gear on an ultralight? Check ;)

I decided against taking lessons because it felt like I could very easily get addicted to this.

edit: and wikipedia lists another 4 stroke, the 914

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Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by VBprogrammer on Wednesday September 28, 2011 @06:20AM (#3047203)

A good friend of mine owns a Rotax 503 powered Flash 2 Alpha flexwing.

I've been flying quite a few times, once after doing its 50 hour overhaul. Really interesting and simple engines.

Pretty cool way of spending time!

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Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by 0x12 on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @07:29PM (#3045735)

You should visit an ultra light club, two strokes are pretty common.

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Re:China: Man builds flying contraption powered by eight mot... by georgieporgie on Tuesday September 27, 2011 @09:37PM (#3046055)

I'm well aware of ultralights. Don't you think it's somewhat different strapping a motor to something which already glides safely without power?

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