I remember flying model airplanes powered by a tiny single cylinder CO2
engine. The engine had "warming" fins on the cylinder to help the CO2
expand. The "fuel supply" was a CO2 cartridge. Compared to glo-plug
2-strokes, it was heavy and expensive to run.

Compressed air makes a lot of sense for a 'city car' or taxi. Unlike
battery/electrics, a recharge takes only minutes and the exhaust is just
air. Compressed air vehicles have a long history in underground mining
where the lack of polutants is a plus. .

Would it work for a man carrying airplane? Maybe, if you didn't want much
range or payload - or to fly in cold weather. You want hot weather to make
the gas expand. The trick would be ultra high pressure tanks made of carbon
fiber and a very efficient air engine.

Bill Daniels


"Dancing Fingers" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi Guys,
I remember years ago Kitplanes did a series on the potential for
batterry-powered aircraft. Recently, I watCHED Future Cars on the
Discovery channel and this guy had developed a car that ran on
compressed air. This seems like a more viable fuel for aircraft then
batteries. Has anybody looked into it?
just curious.
Chris