2. What
additional key innovations
enhance the Skywalker?
Innovative key designs include
incorporating a counter
rotating, dual shaft,
multi-blade propeller system.
The blade and all power
generating gears are fixtured in
a vertical right angle drive
unit, thus eliminating several
complicated, expensive, and
heavy drive-train components.
This drive system technique
significantly reduces mechanical
dependencies, as listed:
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Only a single short driveshaft or
flex connector needed
• Requires only one 90
degree angle drive unit
• No bearing-supported
belt drive systems
• All propeller blade
housings are stationary and
non-tilting
• The engine is secured to
the airframe and requires no
articulating joints
• Mechanically generated
torque is nullified
• Requires only one
integrated planetary gear
transmission
The Skywalker objectives
require keeping the VTOL
innovative in design with
minimal failure-prone mechanical
components, and still provide a
unique controllable aircraft.
However, history has revealed
that a feasible VTOL program is
a challenging venture in the
aircraft world, and consequently
we respect the many efforts
regarding this ancestry.
3. What is
the estimated purchase price?
Estimates place initial
production figures including the
drive engine and complete
assembly kit, (depending on
final drive-train components,
basic avionics, and control equipment)
at $137,900 to $159,900.
Compared to other
still-in-development VTOL aircraft,
the Skywalker will offer
excellent value, utility, safety
and performance.
4. Does it operate
like a helicopter?
It operates in principle
like a helicopter, with
full VTOL capabilities,
but does not require the
large main rotor or
extended tail blade. It
functions within a much
smaller operations area
and has reduced
noise. The
Skywalker's ducted
fan provides increased
blade protection by
surrounding the entire
propeller tips, whereas
helicopter blades
completely penetrate the
surrounding environment.
5. How does the
pilot control the
Skywalker?
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Forward,
reverse,
neutral, right
and left
movements occur
by displacing
the propeller-generated thrust
using moveable
vector airfoils
attached beneath
each exit duct. This arrangement
eliminates
complex linkage,
swivel nozzles,
and articulating
propeller drive
systems. The
airfoils are
linked by
electronic
linear
actuators, and
controlled with
an adjustable
electrically
operated
multi-axis
joystick.
Motion direction
is generated by
independently
moving the hand
joysticks on the
control yoke.
Flight wing and
canard aileron
control systems
manage the
Pitch, Yaw, and
Roll. The canard
wing features
movable ailerons
for Pitch
control. The
flight wing
ailerons move
independently
controlling Yaw,
(right and left)
and the blending
controls Roll. An adjustable
electronic
multi-axis
operated
joystick
coordinates this
fly-by-wire
motion with
precise action.
Other controls,
similar to
automotive items
will influence
altitude change.
As engine speed
increases, it
automatically
accelerates the
blade rotation,
and generates
additional
lift.
Primary to this
system is the
counter rotating
blade assembly.
With each blade
set rotating in
equal but
opposite
directions, the
unbalanced
torque is
offset. This
eliminates the
tail blade
assembly found
on helicopters,
and counteracts
mechanically-generated
thrust.
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6. What safety devices
will the Skywalker include?
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The production units
will incorporate a
ballistic parachute
mounted in the upper
rear fuselage housing
for extremely rare
emergency landings.
Three enclosed nylon
straps connect from the
lower parachute and
secure at the top intake
housing. The pilot
controlled parachute
activation allows the
entire aircraft and
occupants to descend to
its normal ground
contact landing position
in emergences.
Every effort is utilized
to reduce weight,
increase strength, and
provide a functionally
safe aircraft. Aluminum
tubing and metal will be
incorporated into areas
necessary for the
maximum benefit, and
advanced composites will
occupy the majority of
the construction.
Safe
landings occur through
three attachment wheels
covered in wheel pants
to reduce air drag. This
design not only assists
with safety, but
additionally provides:
• Lighter aircraft
weight
• Decreased number
of assembled parts
• Lower overall
purchase price
• Improved
reliability
• Increased
landing stability
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7. What distance can
the Skywalker travel?
Functionally, it
provides an air
transportation flight
range of about 300
miles. The design
parameters allow
performance as a
commuter vehicle and are
not intended to replace
aircraft for long
distance treks. The
SkyWalker
excels in shorter
point-to-point flights.
8. When will the
Skywalker be available
for purchase?
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Expectedly, the
new prototype
will require
funding the
“504” Private
Placement
offering and
about 18 more
months in
proving the
engine, dual
propellers and
control systems.
As it advances
through testing,
the company will
begin accepting
orders for
future customer
purchases and
anticipates
scheduling a
select number of
first year
production units
for manufacture.
Only the latest
phase or design
will advance
towards
finalization and
production.
9. Will the
Skywalker
require a
pilot’s license?
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The
Skywalker
is not
an
ultra-light,
and thus
could
require
a
pilot’s
license
to
operate.
However,
it may
function
within
the
recent
FAA
Sports
Pilots
License
category,
making
it even
more
attractive,
affordable
and
enjoyable
to
operate.
10.
Is the
Skywalker
aircraft
FAA
certified?
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Currently, there are no immediate plans to certify the SkyWalker VTOL under FAA regulations as a commercial VTOL aircraft. This could more than triple the purchase costs, and delay production another three to four years.
11. What is the Experimental Aircraft Category?
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There are two main FAA categories for aircraft, either Certified or Experimental Home Built, also known as "kit-built". The Skywalker will qualify under the experimental home built aircraft category. The experimental kit-built allows the customer to provide the assembly labor, and assume aircraft ownership liability. The aircraft owner provides the overall effort for the aircrafts construction requirements.
12. As a kit-built VTOL, what is the estimated assembly time?
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Incorporating a low number of precisely designed molded composite pieces, it is expected to involve less assembly time. Many parts will be trimmed, predrilled and require only final assembly, finish and painting. The anticipated time is 300 hours or less for completing the aircraft, not including painting.
The kit requires no extra parts to be made; sheet metal assemblies finished, or designing additional composite fabricated items. In general, the entire aircraft can be assembled using only the supplied hardware to secure the individual parts together.
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