VTOL Air-Bike

Allied Aerotechnics is developing a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) motorcycle concept designed to access areas that are totally out of reach for any other type of vehicle.The AirBike concept uses vectored thrust generated by a pair of contra-rotating ducted fans that can be configured to produce forward or backward movement in both vertical and level flight. The rider sits astride the engine and helps control pitch and roll by shifting body weight as when riding a motorcycle. Stability is achieved by positioning the outlet nozzles well above the vehicle's centre of gravity. Instrumentation will include radar, G.P.S. or beacon tracking displays as well as tachometer, fuel gauges, altitude and air/surface speed indicators. Potential applications for the AirBike are numerous - from the obvious advantages of its small footprint and high-manoeuvrability in search patrols, remote medical emergencies and law enforcement, to the sheer fun of having your own flying bike to ride to work "as-the-crow-flies", or just cruise about on a Sunday afternoon.