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AirScooter
Dual Rotor Systems !
The
Company was founded in early 2000
by Elwood (Woody) Norris and Jim
Barnes. In May 1999 they financed
the investigation of various
coaxial rotor designs and
financed studies combining the
best techniques learned over the
years with new innovations and
improvements targeted at a unique
category of flying craft, the
AirScooter. After approving
an original design, AirScooter
Corporation was formed and funded
to build, test, manufacture and
distribute a new generation of
flying craft.
Today AirScooter is applying
coaxial counter-rotating dual
rotor systems and space-age
material technology to three
novel product concepts, the
AirScooter recreational flying
vehicle, the AirScooter Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle and AirScoot RC
Hobby Model. Dual rotors provide
multiple benefits, especially in
the intended weight class. They
provide increased lift per
horsepower and improved hovering
capability over traditional
single rotor helicopter craft. A
coaxial or concentric shaft
arrangement is driven by a single
drive shaft thus providing
improved balance and flight
stability. Counter rotation
eliminates gyroscopic effects as
well as the need for a tail rotor
while at the same time putting
more engine power to the rotor
blades. And AirScooter's
patent-pending flight control
system makes the AirScooter much
simpler to fly than traditional
helicopters of any design.
In man's quest for personal
flight, people throughout history
have wanted to experience the joy
and thrill of moving freely above
the ground, to hover or move at
will (view History of Rotor
Craft). People want to FLY, but
opportunities are limited due to
the cost and often complex
regulations associated with
general aviation not to mention
the inconvenience of having to
drive to and from an airport.
Other flying opportunities (e.g.
hang gliding, ultralight
airplanes, powered parachutes and
other forms) are attractive only
to a limited audience. In today's
mobile, recreationally oriented
society many owners of ATV's,
off-road motorcycles, PWC's,
snowmobiles, boats, PPCs,
ultralight aircraft and other
recreational vehicles want to get
off the ground. AirScooter is a
new kind of VTOL (vertical
take-off and landing) craft
designed for personal enjoyment.
It qualifies under ultralight FAR
Part 103 for single person
personal flight. Like the flying
pods in Star Wars, the AirScooter
scoots about with intended
operation below 50 feet or
so.
AirScooter's design employs a
greatly simplified coaxial rotor
system without the complexity of
swash-plates, collective or
cyclic control. Manufacturing and
maintenance are greatly
simplified. AirScooter employs a
hinged or pendulum effect
allowing tilt between the
transmission/rotor system and the
rest of the craft. Patent-pending
handlebar controls greatly
simplify flying the AirScooter.
No foot pedals or control stick.
Simply push the motorcycle-type
handlebars forward to go forward,
push left to fly left, right to
fly right and pull back to fly
back. Twist right or left to
rotate the craft in a circle and
altitude is controlled by the
throttle.
Early on in AirScooter's
development it was discovered
that there was no quality
light-weight four-stroke engine
anywhere in the world to meet the
needs of a craft of this design.
Because of this, AeroTwin Motors
Corporation (see
aerotwinmotors.com) was formed as
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AirScooter Corporation. AeroTwin
Motors Corporation has been
instrumental in the financing and
technical development of the
AeroTwin Engine by Pearson
Motor Company, Ltd. in New
Zealand. The AeroTwin is a 65 HP
range lightweight aviation engine
with many unique patent-pending
features. Our subsidiary,
AeroTwin Motors Corporation has
the rights to distribute Pearson
engines worldwide.
AirScooter has assembled a
diverse team combining
entrepreneurs, aeronautical
engineers, manufacturing
specialists and engine experts.
The diversity of this team is key
in driving to a market outside
the paradigm of other aircraft
companies. Just as an ATV does
not need an air-conditioned cab
or be capable of high speeds to
satisfy the needs of its user, a
recreational aircraft doesn't
need to fly at high speeds or
high altitudes to provide immense
enjoyment and utility.
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AirScooter's
innovative design and features
are protected by multiple pending
patents.
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AirScooter
in Action.
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