Bicycle That Can Fly - A man in Australia has build a working prototype of a hoverbike which can - theoretically - fly at 173 MPH and a height of 3,000 metres.Chris Malloy constructed the ludicrous/amazing machine out of a motorcycle.
Sadly he hasn't actually managed to take the hover bike out for a real cruise yet, because - frankly - it probably isn't safe enough.
"We do not know 100% what might happen during testing," he said. "The straps are there to cover the unknown."
But now he's asking for donations via his website, and says it could go into production within 12 months if everything goes to play (which admittedly it rarely does with projects like this).
So far he's gathered AUS $76,000, although he needs AUS $1.1m to make the bike of his dreams.
Wired reports that using the bike's specs as a guide - it has a 1170 CC four-stroke engine, which powers two huge propellors - he says it can fly for 92 miles at a normal speed of 92 MPH.
The plan, Malloy explains on his website, is to add either parachutes to the bike itself or force the rider to wear one.
Amazingly, if the bike is ever made you won't need a pilot's licence, as it would likely fall under the 'ultralight' category. Although again we imagine in practicality the government isn't going to allow just anyone up into the air on what for now at least looks like a fairly risky option for the commute.
Malloy insists it's safe, however.
"The hoverbike was designed with safety as the over-riding factor in all design," he says on his site. "If you have ever flown and pre-flight checked a helicopter you will appreciate the simplicity of this design."
Source: huffingtonpost
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