Burt Rutan's newest aircraft design - the SkiGull

[aaronhowell]

Burt Rutan is at it again with a new plane the SkiGull -

"Its docking system is two, 5” diameter electric motors each driving a 27” diameter folding prop. These self-contained units (Off-the-shelf motor, controller, batteries used for giant RC models) mount on each wing. They provide forward or reverse thrust to allow backing up or rotating when docking/beaching in winds. Since the SkiGull has an L/D of 23 (it looks more like a motor glider than other seaplanes/floatplanes), its electric docking system can fly it about 8 miles, which greatly reduces the risk of an engine failure, particularly when operating out of small tree-lined lakes. Every other seaplane has to crash straight forward when an engine fails early in the climb, a SkiGull can fly back to downwind & land on the lake into the wind."

NBC did a nice piece on the article - http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovat...an-talks-about-skigull-his-next-plane-n321916

 

[berkeman]

Interesting. Are there any sketches or models yet?

 

[aaronhowell]

There are sketches, but we have been asked not to release them as Burt wishes to keep the plane secret until it's first test flights. I will keep the thread updated.

 

[berkeman]

So you starting this thread is meant to help out the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign...?

AntennaFilms is sharing details to whet the appetite for the project's Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. About halfway into the monthlong campaign, the effort has raised about half of its $80,000 goal.

 

[aaronhowell]

Just thought people might be interest - that campaign ends tomorrow, and I will keep the thread updated into the future, there is a ton of information on the plane, but I just posted what might spark people's interest in learning more - here is a better link perhaps:http://aerosociety.com/News/Insight-Blog/2957/Rutan-film-aims-to-inspire-next-generation

 

[yrjosmiel73]

Why do we use inches in a science forum again?