Hoverbike Concept | By Chris Malloy

 

Utilized what little spare time he has aside from his mechanical design job at an optical engineering firm, Australian Chris Malloy dreamt of a prototype vehicle that will truly be a flying motorbike. After 2 and half years of hard work, Malloy came away with the Hoverbike. It all stemmed from an occasion when Malloy’s helicopter instructor likened the little Robinson R22 helicopter as a “airborne motorbike”. The episode had Malloy thinking of an aerial vehicle with greater similarities to a motorcycle, the exact goal of his Hoverbike. Measured about 10 feet in length, 4.3 feet in width, 1.8 feet in height, the bike weighs in at only 231-pound thanks to its Kevlar reinforced carbon fiber chassis. With the exception of the fore and aft counter-rotating blades made from Tasmanian Oak, the bike looks no different than a performance motorcycle. The ride is similar to that of a motorcycle as well. A twist on the right grip handle increases the thrust while the left grip controls the pitch for moving forward or back. To turn left or right, simply to aim the handlebar to the direction you wish to go.

Daredevils need not to apply for the Hoverbike since Malloy took all necessary precautions from the beginning. There is a triple redundancy factor in place for all key components. In the works are gyro-base control system and computer override to prevent a rider from tipping over. Leaving nothing to chance, 2 explosive deploy parachutes will guide the Hoverbike earthward safely. The rider can wear a separate parachute as well. With the prototype completed, Malloy is now looking for investors or donors to help him reach the 2nd phase – production of the Hoverbike for consumers. By his own estimation, Malloy sees a price tag of about $40,000 for each Hoverbike. And because its consider an ultralite, no piloting license will be necessary.