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Senior Member
VSTOL LSA? Is this for real?
CubCrafters Announces VSTOL LSA
Targets Takeoff From A Helipad
ANN April 1 Special Coverage
When you've already got a takeoff run of about 50 feet, it's not that much of
a stretch to go VSTOL. That's the thinking behind a CubCrafters "CaveWorks"
project for a VSTOL LSA the company hopes to have ready to announce at
AirVenture in July.
John Whitish, head of marketing and public relations for CubCrafters, said
that the new airplane should be able to get in and out of a helipad. "It'll take
some special training," he said. "But once the technique is perfected, you'll be
able to take off and land from the legendary postage stamp."
The "CaveWorks" team is developing a special pivoting forward fuselage that
will work something like a tiltrotor to further shorten the airplane's
already-short runway requirements. "We're thinking in the 15-20 foot range under
the right conditions," Whitish said. "You'll be able to fly this airplane out of
your driveway as long as the neighbors are understanding. We think we're finally
developing the every-man commuter airplane. Who needs 'roadable' when you barely
need a road."
The company is working hard to meet the LSA weight requirements, and may
apply for an SLSA designation. The mechanism required for the pivoting fuselage
could add too much weight to the airplane to qualify as a straight-ahead LSA. An
alternate configuration has a pivoting engine nacelle mounted to the top of the
wing to better distribute weight and keep the CG within acceptable limits. "We
don't know if true VTOL is within our reach," Whitish said. "But we're already
darn close. Who knows what they'll come up with over in the Cub Cave."
FMI: www.cubcrafters.com
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Senior Member
Re: VSTOL LSA? Is this for real?
Geo, this is an April 1st joke. That whole issue was filled with spoofs, sorry to disappoint you!
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Re: VSTOL LSA? Is this for real?
This is actually great marketing in spite fo the spoof! Got us all talking and we already land often where choppers land ( just a bit longer than the helipad) which has them talking also. Great stuff Randy. Best G
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Senior Member
Re: VSTOL LSA? Is this for real?
Gary, heck yes....that's one of my mottos go where the helio's can't! I thought the VSTOL spoof was great!
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Senior Member
Re: VSTOL LSA? Is this for real?
This is what I want most of all! When I win the lotto........
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