Flying motorcycle could soon be a reality
Don't feel like driving to work? (Credit: Chris Malloy)
Designed by Australian engineer Chris Malloy, this hybrid vehicle combines a dual-propeller helicopter and a racing motorcycle and looks incredibly cool. It's retro styled and has some fancy propellers made of Tasmanian Oak. It also has a 1,170cc 4-stroke engine and a carbon-fiber driveshaft, the latter being a lighter alternative to steel or aluminum.
While the idea of a flying motorcycle may pique the interests of daredevils, there aren't any videos (or pictures) of the Hoverbike in flight yet save for a few images of the contraption hovering while tethered to the ground. Also, its flight specifications--which are untested so far--are cause for concern. For example, the "bike" is designed to reach a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet which is incredibly high for such a small aircraft. It also comes with two explosive parachutes that deploy in case of an emergency.
While we aren't sure if the Hoverbike will ever be approved by aviation authorities, we can't deny the attraction of personal flying vehicles. Just a few months ago we wrote about the FlyNano, a personal floatplane that looks a lot safer by comparison.
The Hoverbike achieves liftoff, though we're not sure how stable it'll be untethered.
(Credit: Chris Malloy)
About the author
Timothy Fernandez is the subeditor at CNET Asia, as well as resident movie and music buff. With a background in mass communication and photography, he decided on a career in tech writing. He's also--secretly--an aspiring pop vocalist.
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