Fri, Jan 22, 2010
Utilizes Technology Similar To V-22 Osprey
It's a very interesting idea, though perhaps not terribly
practical ... and safety might be something of an issue. All that
not withstanding, NASA unveiled a new concept in personal
transportation at the American Helicopter Society convention in San
Francisco Wednesday. The electric-powered single "place" aircraft
with a 13-foot wingspan is designed to take off and land
vertically, and cruise at 121 knots.
Puffin NASA Artists Concept
That's right, electric. Multiple media
sources are reporting that the Puffin would use battery power to
tun the V-22-style rotors. An electric powerplant means the engines
won't be affected by air density, NASA says, so the Puffin could
have a service ceiling in the neighborhood of FL300. Hit the "Boost
Mode" and the top speed of the Puffin would rocket up to about 260
knots.
The Puffin would be mainly carbon fiber construction, so even
with the lithium phosphate batteries it would tip the scales at
only about 400 pounds. The projected range on a single charge is
only about 50 miles, which is not a lot, but longer than most
people's commutes. Of course, being electric, it would be a very
quiet aircraft, which has the military very interested.
The Puffin was introduced strictly as a concept, and NASA gave
no timeline as to when, or even if, it might fly. But sort of like
the personal jet pack we thought we's all be flying right now, it
could very well capture the imagination.
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