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VTOL Aircraft & Flying Platforms
WASP (X-Jet), SoloTrek XFV, Hummingbird This could very well be one of my favorite flying platforms. It was build by Williams Research and funded by the U.S. military. Basically a flying platform with a small / powerful (thrust of 430 lbf) turbojet (WR19) mounted vertically, on which platform the pilot would stand on and basically lean in the direction he wanted to go. .
It's far superior in function, range and practicality than a Jet Pack / Rocket Belt, but as with most good things in life, it was discontinued after the military canceled the contract with Williams Research The only one remaining (that I know of) is on display in the USAF museum in Ohio. The WR19 engine (great engine) and it's subsequent derivatives have been used (and still are) in cruise missiles. Obviously this flying platform looks far superior than the current Jet-Packs, unfortunately the engine is super sophisticated (hard to make) and probably expensive to buy (assuming that you can even find it). From my point of view, it is clearly more advisable for research to continue on this type of aerial platform than a Jet-Pack. The range of a Turbofan will always be far superior to that of a strap on rocket, and the utility is obvious. Take a look at the videos below showing the WASP in action. Enjoy! The next video shows footage of the WASP flying (taken from the USAF Museum in Ohio) I'm not sure why someone hasn't contracted a manufacturer of micro-turbines to redesign and manufacture a suitable replacement for the WR19. The only thing that I would consider a bit of a problem with this type engine would be the type of fuel used (readily available?), and fuel inefficiency because of the small size of the engine itself. A smaller engine is inherently less efficient because it operates at a low Reynolds number (aerodynamic coefficient that relates component size to the air’s inertial and viscosity effects). In any case, I'm sure there are plenty of people out there looking for suitable alternative to the WR19, I just hope they're not looking for off-the-shelf items because I doubt they're going to found one. The next type of VTOL vehicle is probably what I would consider a combination Jet Pack & Flying platform, and it's called the SoloTrek XFV (Exo-skeletal Flying Vehicle), similar to Martin's Jet Pack. You don't really put this on your back, but rather strap into it like an exoskeleton. Basically a platform with overhead twin counter rotating ducted fans that basically looks like a twin rotor helicopter. It it designed to run for about 2 hours on Kerosene fuel. Certainly a novel idea, but it really looks kind of heavy and bulky. From what I see in the videos (below) it seems to be more stable and more powerful than Martin's Jet Pack. Take a look at the videos below showing the SoloTrek XFV. The next video shows the SoloTrek actually flying. This next video shows the Hummingbird Flying Platform. Basically the same concept of counter rotating rotors to counteract the torque and create lift. All great ideas and personally I can't wait to see one of these things flying around. Stay tuned!
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