This group must be pretty dead. Three days and no posts!

I don't know about the AirScooter's autorotation or engine out procedures, but
I can discuss what happens with Springtail. We have a BRS parachute that will
save the pilot and machine if you're at least 75-100' high. During testing,
the pilot also wears a base jumping parachute, which will save him if he steps
off the machine with at least 150-200' to spare. There is a rudimentary
autorotate capability, but you'd still be coming down pretty fast. In a
normal helicopter, descent rates during autorotation run between 1000-1500
fpm. In Springtail, it would be more like 3000 fpm. So what do you do if the
engine quits between 10' and 75'? Right now, pray and hit the ground hard.
We are looking into deployable airbags, similar to those used on Martian
landers. At 3000 fpm, they'll be able to break your fall.

Our follow-on aircraft, Dragonfly, has a power-off glide capability. In
addition, we're looking at a twin engined version. You wouldn't be able to
hover on one engine, but you could maintain level flight to very low airspeeds
and make a short landing.

joe wrote:

I noticed that they didn't say anything about autorotation or what happens
if the engine quits, or did I miss it?

Joe

"John?] "
wrote in message
. net...



http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in688454.shtml

http://www.airscooter.com/