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The Program continued

Volante - From Aircraft to Car
Next I will show you how the Volante prototype gets from aircraft to car and how it travels on the road. These model pictures are of the number one prototype and do not reflect the changeover modifications incorporated in the production flying car, which truly represent a major improvement. More on that later.

The aircraft has taxied in and is ready for the transition. The flight section has been lifted off of the car by means of trailer wheel jacks, and the car is driving away↓

Next, the trailer wheel jacks lowered to highway traveling height and the outer wing panels folded across the center section nearly ready to go↓

Lastly, the flight section trailer has been connected to the car by the built in hitch and is ready to drive on the highway. Not shown with this model are the revised vertical stabilizers, which fold down on the horizontal stabilizer to reduce crosswind response on the highway. Also not shown in detail on the model are all the car and trailer lights required to meet California DMV requirements↓

Typical engineer, I have not paid enough attention to the picture-taking side of the program, nor have I arranged for a chase plane. There is however a short video clip of one flight at El Mirage on this web site.

By carefully designing the Volante to incorporate the best features of the flying car design family, we will be able to offer both a kit car and kit flight appendage, which are appealing and from which builders will realize many advantages over "just aircraft." In fact, the prospective builder must ask himself, "Why build just an aircraft if the performance penalty for a flying car is minimal," as it will be with the Volante.

At this point in time, I would be interested in hearing from all of you who might consider building a flying car now or in the future. The car will be out first and will provide a useable product only part way through the longer-term project of completing the aircraft. It is a good way to practice your skills along the way, and if in doubt about them, still end up with a useful vehicle. Drop me an e-mail if you are interested in a flying car, and let me know which properties or characteristics are important to you. A survey form is available on this website on the contact pag

Together, let's make the flying car happen this time. K. P. Rice

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