FlyKart - Mini Personal Air Vehicle

摘要

FlyKart was conceived as a "Flying GoKart". The goals of this program were low-cost to manufacture and operate, easy to assemble and fly, able to fit in a one-car garage, safe, quiet, reliable, able to operate under FAR Part 103, and most importantly, FUN! With modern materials and technologies, the goals of this program seem within reach. This paper discusses the 1) program background, goals & development; 2) propulsion system that makes this aircraft feasible (i.e., ducted fans, distributed electric motors, and lithium batteries); 3) light weight structural configuration; 4) advanced control system; 5) reliability and safety features; 6) manufacturing and operation costs; and 7) performance. The FlyKart prototype is currently under construction; the progress is presented.