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Personal Helicopter Available For $30,000
gsfprez writes "The question was recently asked on /., "will personal flight ever be viable?". The answer is "if you have $30,000 today, yes". They are looking to work with Americans who will be willing to help them with testing a few final steps of their GEN H-4 Personal Helicopter, such as ballistic parachutes. $30,000 to beta test a helicopter I can park in the garage? Honey, pass me 5 credit cards!"
Credit cards with limits as high as 6 grand? wow, that kinda makes my $200 limit seem less important... :(
They want people...to test parachutes...in a helicopter.
Let me think about that one.
From the faq:
Q : Does it fly?
A : Yes, This particular prototype has been flown continuously since 1999.
I pity the poor SOB who's been stuck flying that thing for 3 "continuous" years.
There counter says:
/. effect...
Today 116 yesterday 013
I cant wait to see that at the end of the day after the
--"The revolution will be simulcast..."--
So the FAQ dated 03/00/2001 (???) says the thing is expected to be delivered by 2000 - I hope the web site writer is not associated with engineering.
It's also not comforting that I am supposed to have a "zip-cord" just to get the info pack.
~~~~~~~
"You are not remembered for doing what is expected of you." - Atul Chitnis
And can I have a Beowulf cluster of those?
I know I'm not a big fan of engrish, but this is just scary. Would you give these guys $30 000?:
22-Mar-02
Can you see someone controls GEN H-4??
Of cource, it is a radio controlled model. As you know, we can't several tests of GEN H-4 by manned in Japan. Because of Japanese reguration isn't suitable to develop new airplane. Therefore we developed the radio controlled model. The porpose pf this model is not only tests but also an aerial film and such.
"As you know, we can't several tests of GEN H-4 by manned in Japan." WHOAH!!!! Slow down there big boy.
HURD - Hurd's Under Research & Development
His what is what? I'm not trying to mock someone for communication skills in a second language. (My japanese is horrid, for example) but my earnest fear is that some critical safety information would be lost in the translation. ("Oh, so sorry. I meant to say DON'T press that button while in flight!")
--
Okay, so if you're quite a bit less fat than I am you can fly this thing at 55mph (top speed) for an hour. Let's be slightly conservative and call it a 25 mile range for a round trip for a skinny person. In rain or high winds forget it. So what are its practical uses?
1. Getting to that remote fishing hole the lazy way.
2. Getting home from the bar with no chance of being pulled over.
3. Getting that aerial shot of your neighbor's wife sunbathing.
4. ????
5. Profit???
Well maybe getting home from the bar + fun factor = worth it.
Operator, give me the number for 911!
As a friend of mine once said "Helicopters don't fly. They beat themselves into submission." Since I heard that, I don't really want to ride in one.
From the FAQ:
Q : How much weight can it carry?
A : Currently with 40 horse power the max. pilot weight is about 190 lbs.
Larger engines are in the works.
"Honey, get off the treadmill, I have 50lbs to lose!"
Oh, wait, been there, done that, got a (X-large) T-shirt...
Aw, hell, I'll just wait for the bigger engine.
Maybe I could use that GM 3.8L engine from the car... 200hp should do the trick.
Have EVDO, will travel.
Naw,
It's $5000 for the machine, $25000 for the manufacturer's liability insurance.
-RAT
Maybe the Canadian Air Force could replace their antiquated fleet of Sea Kings with these choppers.
How ya like dat?
Q : How much weight can it carry?
/. audience won't be able to ride. Get it... large.
A : Currently with 40 horse power the max. pilot weight is about 190 lbs.
Unfortunatly, a large portion of the
Ha ha ha ha.
*ducks and runs*
THIS SPACE FOR RENT
... hovering over a beowulf cluster in one of these!