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The Program continued

Number of engines
This is a decision one has to make no matter what type of flying car one builds and the choices are between one engine for flying and driving and separate engines for each function. I have built both types and find that from a weight and complexity standpoint it makes little difference.

The Volante has two engines for several reasons.
1. Aircraft engines are expensive to overhaul and if you use the car section as a second car and do a lot of driving, you do not want to accumulate the driving miles and have to log them as "engine time." Automotive engines are relatively inexpensive to maintain and overhaul.

2. Power required to fly is much in excess of that to drive, and a better engine match can be achieved if the proper size engine is available for each function. Mileage per gallon is also better when a matched engine is used for driving and here is where an unexpected bonus accrued to the Volante car. Because it is so light and streamlined one can expect to get between 60 and 80 miles per gallon; great with today's four dollar per gallon gas which might rise even further.

3. An aircraft engine is designed to run at high power and "get by" when on the ground. Too much taxiing will often result in fouled plugs. Alternatively, spark retard, power limiters and a cooling fan can be added as Molt Taylor did with the Aerocar, again a complication probably requiring FAA testing and approval.

Again, I want to emphasize that I am trying to build a vehicle that will bring more people into aviation at lower cost and more usefulness; not just appeal to the elite few. I did many configuration drawings and even built another flying car prior to the present flying design. As I said above, even this No. 2 design has evolved further in a production model that I will show you later. I tend to have to learn by experience and what I think I have learned is that "the devil is in the details." You don't want to need a large toolbox and to service a lot of complex fallible machinery when you land on a dark, rainy night in "Nowheresville, USA."

I think that with the Volante, I have achieved a design that will provide the largest number of presently recognized flying car advantages with both minimum cost and complexity. On top of that, the practical dual use of the separable car makes a lot of sense, as well. Not to be overlooked is the fact that completion of the flying car provides the builder with a useful interim product along the way to flight, as well as justified "bragging rights," even if he takes a vacation from his project for a period of time at this plateau. Looking at an "all or nothing" aircraft kit project has often resulted in the "nothing" choice by an inexperienced builder. Needless to say, this design, in contrast to many integrated designs, will also allow all of the ease of use of the LPA machine. In fact, if an LPA machine meets your needs, it is your choice to build when you buy a Volante kit.

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