Q: "Flying cars"
have always been lousy airplanes and lousy cars so why should this one be
any different?
A: Yesterday’s materials and design technology made
the task difficult. Even today we do not have the technology to produce a
Lear jet and a Mercedes in one vehicle. Any dual use vehicle will be a
compromise. We chose to compromise very little on the airplane performance
(slight weight increase) and make most of the compromises in driving.
Through very intelligent (patented) design the Synergy vehicle will be
very safe and natural while driving to and from the airport. It is not
intended to replace your car for most local trips. <Back
to the top>
Q: Who’s going to buy this thing?
A: Pilots who don’t own an airplane because the can’t
justify the costs for the limited benefit. Non-pilots who choose to become
pilots because they have a need or desire to travel regional distances
without the hassles of commercial airlines or need to travel faster door
to door. Everyone who can afford a nice boat or RV they only use a few
weekends a year but has never thought of an airplane as
"practical." <Back to the top>
Q: How is the Synergy vehicle licensed?
A: To the FAA the Synergy vehicle is a homebuilt kit
just like thousands of others licensed each year. The official
classification is known as "experimental – amateur built".
Airplanes in this classification enjoy very few limitations on their
operation. To the highway authorities the Synergy vehicle is a motorcycle.
This is possible because it uses less than four wheels and is much lighter
than a passenger car. <Back to the top>
Q: Do I have to be a pilot to fly it?
A: Yes. <Back to the top>
Q: How fast can I drive?
A: In very light winds the Synergy vehicle will be safe
up to 75 MPH. As crosswinds increase it will be necessary to slow down to
maintain equivalent safety. When winds go over 35 MPH (rare) the Synergy
vehicle will need to operate below 60 MPH. <Back to the
top>
Q: How do I see to drive?
A: The forward visibility is unobstructed. Side
visibility is provided by looking over the folded wings. Rear visibility
is provided by a combination of rear windows and cleverly placed rear view
mirrors on the wings. <Back to the top>
Q: Can I take off and land from the street?
A: Not usually, an unfolded Synergy vehicle is much too
wide to be legal on any highways. The Synergy vehicle should be driven to
the nearest airport for normal operations. In extremely remote and
featureless areas it may be possible to operate from roads with prior
approval of local law enforcement. <Back to the top>
Q: What happens if I get a door ding while driving/parking?
A: Most door dings will be non-critical and you can
continue flying. As the constructor you will have a very good idea of what
types of dings are flight critical. You have the option to carry a repair
kit for bad dings or just drive home. The vehicle will take as much
parking space as a small RV and will usually be parked away from other
vehicles. <Back to the top>
Q: Why did you pick the Mazda rotary engine?
A: Significant modification is necessary for any
powerplant to provide for ground drive transition. This eliminates the
usual advantages of using a certified aircraft engine. A properly adapted
automotive engine can be much cheaper than adapting an airplane engine.
The Mazda rotary is the only production automotive engine capable of
sustained operation at high power levels while maintaining the necessary
reliability. The small size, light weight and liquid cooling were also
advantageous. <Back to the top>
Q: Can it take off and land on unprepared surfaces?
A: Yes, the Synergy vehicle has excellent soft/rough
field capabilities. <Back to the top>
Q: How does this compare to other kit planes?
A: The Synergy vehicle is directly comparable to the
popular high performance kits already on the market. The cost, quality,
materials, build time, and performance are very similar to a two seat
Lancair. In a side by side comparison Synergy will weigh slightly more
empty and fly and land a bit slower due to the larger wing. Synergy will
also offer significantly more cargo volume. In the end, the Lancair will
still be sitting at the airport costing you money for hangar space while
the Synergy is driving you home. <Back to the top>
Q: What about insurance?
A: Insurance is available through airplane insurers for
operations on the airport and in the air. Separate automotive insurance
(motorcycle) will be required for operation on the highway. <Back
to the top> |
