I doubt this is true. If you read the text of the eBay offer (below) you'll notice this is not mentioned.
Removing any key parts would probably void the eBay contractual agreement (IMHO).
SoloTrekTM XFV® Prototype
Priceless, One-of-a-Kind, Prototype Aircraft To Be Auctioned
Trek Aerospace, Inc., an innovative Silicon Valley aerospace defense contractor, is now auctioning the POC (proof-of-concept) prototype of its SoloTrek XFV (Exoskeleton Flying Vehicle). The first vehicle of its kind to fly, this unique and priceless piece of aviation history will be made available to the highest bidder as development and testing of the company's second-generation SoloTrek prototype continues.
Boost Museum Recognition, Visitors & Support
"Due to numerous requests received from museums, trade organizations and wealthy individuals expressing interest in exhibiting this historic craft, we've decided the fairest thing to do is offer it on eBay," said Michael Moshier, Chief Executive Officer, Trek Aerospace. "This is a golden opportunity for a museum to augment its collection with the addition of a world-class historical vehicle that has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, BBC, and in many major publications and newspapers around the planet."
SoloTrek XFV is a VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft that a person steps on, straps on, and flies in an upright position. The POC prototype achieved its first controlled hover flight on Dec. 18, 2001 and has since continued to undergo rigorous testing and further development. As a condition of sale, the successful bidder will have to execute an agreement warranting that they will use the aircraft for static exhibition and educational purposes only.
"We continue to test and further develop the second-generation SoloTrek XFV vehicle, expanding the envelope slowly while we meet our planned test milestones," Moshier continued. "The project remains extremely exciting - working on SoloTrek, a design that has never been attempted before, has been a lifelong dream of mine, and one shared by other Trek Aerospace employees."
Almost 100 years ago, in 1903, the Wright Flyer was the first powered, fixed-wing aircraft to achieve controlled, manned flight. Today, the world's first powered exoskeleton VTOL aircraft, SoloTrek XFV, continues the tradition.
Also, the SoloTrek XFV craft will be featured in the upcoming (March 2003) MGM feature film, Agent Cody Banks. SoloTrek is included in the film's trailer, which is showing in theaters now along with the current Harry Potter and James Bond films. The trailer is available at the agentcodybanks website.
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I doubt this is true. If you read the text of the eBay offer (below) you'll notice this is not mentioned.
Removing any key parts would probably void the eBay contractual agreement (IMHO).
SoloTrekTM XFV® Prototype
Priceless, One-of-a-Kind, Prototype Aircraft To Be Auctioned
Trek Aerospace, Inc., an innovative Silicon Valley aerospace defense contractor, is now auctioning the POC (proof-of-concept) prototype of its SoloTrek XFV (Exoskeleton Flying Vehicle). The first vehicle of its kind to fly, this unique and priceless piece of aviation history will be made available to the highest bidder as development and testing of the company's second-generation SoloTrek prototype continues.
Boost Museum Recognition, Visitors & Support
"Due to numerous requests received from museums, trade organizations and wealthy individuals expressing interest in exhibiting this historic craft, we've decided the fairest thing to do is offer it on eBay," said Michael Moshier, Chief Executive Officer, Trek Aerospace. "This is a golden opportunity for a museum to augment its collection with the addition of a world-class historical vehicle that has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, BBC, and in many major publications and newspapers around the planet."
SoloTrek XFV is a VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft that a person steps on, straps on, and flies in an upright position. The POC prototype achieved its first controlled hover flight on Dec. 18, 2001 and has since continued to undergo rigorous testing and further development. As a condition of sale, the successful bidder will have to execute an agreement warranting that they will use the aircraft for static exhibition and educational purposes only.
"We continue to test and further develop the second-generation SoloTrek XFV vehicle, expanding the envelope slowly while we meet our planned test milestones," Moshier continued. "The project remains extremely exciting - working on SoloTrek, a design that has never been attempted before, has been a lifelong dream of mine, and one shared by other Trek Aerospace employees."
Almost 100 years ago, in 1903, the Wright Flyer was the first powered, fixed-wing aircraft to achieve controlled, manned flight. Today, the world's first powered exoskeleton VTOL aircraft, SoloTrek XFV, continues the tradition.
Also, the SoloTrek XFV craft will be featured in the upcoming (March 2003) MGM feature film, Agent Cody Banks. SoloTrek is included in the film's trailer, which is showing in theaters now along with the current Harry Potter and James Bond films. The trailer is available at the agentcodybanks website.
Well - having bought a plane from Mike Moshier, the CEO of Trek and creator of the SoloTrek XFV, I can tell you he's a no BS, straight shooting guy.
:-)
(You can see his last plane, now my toy, at http://www.ez.org/member.htm#M and search for N160MM)
I would not hesitate to purchase something from Mike.
Now, would I buy this one? I prefer something with wings and a cockpit....
The thought of a bird strike on my anatomy at 80 MPH (can you imagine a pelican in the groin?) is more than I can bear.