Just what is this, exactly?!?

Made a screen grab.

 

 

Aircraft Description       Serial Number 7321 Type Registration Corporation     Manufacturer Name PLANE DRIVEN LLC Certificate Issue Date 03/31/2010     Model SPORTSMAN GS-2 Status Valid     Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine Type Engine Reciprocating     Pending Number Change None Dealer No     Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 51102022     MFR Year 2010 Fractional Owner NO  

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  Registered Owner       Name PLANE DRIVEN LLC     Street 3233 MOUNTAIN VIEW AVE N           City RENTON State WASHINGTON     County KING Zip Code 98056-2512     Country UNITED STATES  

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  Airworthiness       Engine Manufacturer LYCOMING Classification Experimental     Engine Model IO-390-X Category Amateur Built       A/W Date 04/14/2010      

 

Their website is up and live now - I can't *wait* to see this in person!

http://planedriven.com

In 1971 Jack Grove built a Nesmith Cougar with this same thought in mind. It was a taildragger so the engine pod lived tucked away neatly behind the bagage compatment and was retractable. It was made from the swing arm of a water-cooled motorcycle, netting again three wheels, which is the best way for roadable aircraft as the DOT will recognize it as a motorcycle and not hold it to the same high standards that a four-wheeled vehicle is held to.

The mail gear wheels were steerable through an actual stering wheel like Terrafugia uses.

I'll try to upload some photos, but I should probably do an article on it.

Pat

Files Attachment(s):
Jack_Grove-Nesmith_Cougar.JPG (1366273 bytes)

Trying to learn this program. Not sure how to imbed photos yet.... hopefully this will work. 

Note the side-view mirror.

Sportsman with a fuel-cell driven Belt-Alternator power assist?

Personally, I like the initials they use.

Hi Patrick,

I would need to make a correction as to the attribute for this aircraft.  While Jack Gove may have had a roadable version of his own, this particular Nesmith Cougar belongs to Bill Cheesman of Redlands California.  He bought this 'standard version' after its previous owner had munched one of the wings, restored it and added some hard points to the bottom of the fuselage.  Attached to the belly is a Honda scooter motor of 250cc capacity.  And yes, the front gear is steerable with a steering wheel at the pilot's seat.  Bill and I did 40mph on the taxiway at Redlands Airport in driving mode (not using prop).

This display was at an event conducted at Flabob Airport, California.  Bill is a member of our group, the Roadable Aircraft Workgroup, which is a subgroup of the Design Group that meets monthly at Flabob.  BTW, Bill "drove" his Cougar in the Flabob Classic Car parade.  And it has a car horn too!

Just wanted to clarify.

For anyone interested in joining our email list, please contact me below.

 

Werner Kontara

Roadable Aircraft Workgroup

werner@kontara.com

The first thing that comes to my mind, is push a button and you will have pontoons that inflate.   The rails extending rearward would offfer support for the inflated pontoons.

Would have liked an enlarged picture for a better look see.

 

Ralph

The rails under the aft fuselage are required for additional stability of the wings when folded and storage of the horizontal stabilizer when removed.  At 11 feet wide, it's not legal on most roads without wide load permits so the aircraft design includes the ability to remove the tail quickly.

 

I'm curoius how much fuel can be on board to safely drive with the wings folded - my GlaStar has a tendency to sit back on it's tail (although I don't have the second engine pod to help out.)

Here's an updated video:

 

Nice looking airplane.

Butt ugly automobile.

 

Most multi-purpose "Things" leave something to be desired. Proof of Human Nature to "Want it All."