SLUniverse Forums

Klannex Northmead

Strap-On Helicopter Could Offer Solo Flying Experience

by Lisa Zyga


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

I really like tis idea, but there is no way I'm strapping two rockets and a spinning blade six inches from the top of my head.

__________________
P . N . P . A . B . T
Pirate Neko Poets Against Bad Things

Brenda Connolly

As much as I love helicopters, I just can't get past the term "Strap On".

Nitnay

This doesn't make sence to me. Tail rotors are needed to counter act the tourq given off the main rotor as it turns. I don't see how the use of rockets will solve this. The only way I know to eliminate a tail rotor is to use counter rotating main rotors.

Tyche Shepherd

Tail rotors are just the easiest and most common way to reduce torque where the rotor engine is mounted in the fuselage - Small jet engines mounted on the actual main rotors are an old and known design which does work - by mounting the engine directly on the rotor instead of the the main fuselage you remove the torque issue - The design is know as a tip-jet design

__________________

Nitnay

I vote we move this thread to Myth Busters. LoL

Sarah Nerd

If that became functional, how fun would would that be??? I get a kick driving a golf cart around, and that doesn't even fly.

__________________
www.SarahNerd.com
http://www.your2ndplace.com/sarahnerd

Roxie Marten

Helicopter don't fly. They beat the air into submission.

That big spining thing is a fan. It keeps the pilot cool. Turn off the fan and the pilot starts to sweat.

Rox

__________________
"Don't worry, I don't have low self-esteem. It's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else"