Flying motorized bicycles

GoldenMotor.com

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
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up north now
Re: Flying MBs

With a gyro or a powered parachute you will need a minimum of 25 hp.

Look up "part 103 legal" on google or your favorite search engine, and build from there.
 

hiker472

Member
Nov 6, 2008
653
3
18
Ontonagon County,Upper Michigan
Re: Flying MBs

Dan;43823 Read the stats on gyroplane fatalities and a good many were attributed to lack of training. [/QUOTE said:
If I remember correctly the pecentage for pilot error related crashes is something like 83%. That is for all crashes. That's pretty high when you think about it, but a lot of times I think folks start taking things for granted and down they come!
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
Re: Flying MBs

It's closer to 99.9% pilot error when you get right down to it, especially the homebuilt guys and ultralighters. (responsible for our own maintenance.)

Do you know there were several fatalities in the 70's where hang glider pilots ran and jumped off the launch areas and had forgotten to clip their harnesses in? Yes. One was a world champion hang glider.
 

hiker472

Member
Nov 6, 2008
653
3
18
Ontonagon County,Upper Michigan
Re: Flying MBs

I don't doubt it's that high for pilot error nowadays. (been out of touch with it)

Years ago, I used to get a quarterly paper on all the crashes that took place across the country and it'd blow you away the stuff people either did or forgot to do when flying! I suppose with the increase of Ultra Lights and Experimental aircraft things have gotten worse.
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
Re: Flying MBs

Oh NO!!!!! Not worse via U/L's and Experimentals! I meant that in reality, 99.9% of all accidents (ground sea and air) are "pilot error".
 

hiker472

Member
Nov 6, 2008
653
3
18
Ontonagon County,Upper Michigan
Re: Flying MBs

That's the thing. One's got to be pretty on top of things everytime one attempts to pilot anything. Some of us live through these mistakes and others don't and the ones that don't are there as examples to the rest of us.

Playing around aircraft though, things are a little different. That thing is coming down whether your in control of it or not.......eventually!

I used to fly with a guy who'd space out at the wheel and there had been times, more than once, where we had been lucky not to crash! No one else would fly with him because of all his close calls, except for me. I love to fly and never had the fear everyone else had.......call me crazy, but I love to fly!
I tell you what though, that if it had been my plane, I'd never let that guy take it up by himself! The only thing I can say is that I learned a lot flying with him.......what not to do while piloting an airplane!

Since then I have always had a certain love to fly and hope to own something that flies someday!
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

Wohoo! To Finance this, I am planning to open a floating hot dog cart. I now have all the equipment save the permit and launch. (to get to the anchored 17 foot boat that is the concession stand at local boat launch) Funny part is I could have built a flying MB for what the floating hot dog cart cost but needed a job for next summer any way.

"Huston, we are ready for pre-launch money acquisition."

To infinity, and beyond!
 

Ilikeabikea

Active Member
Jan 27, 2008
2,322
0
36
69
Ptown, Texas
Re: Flying MBs

There's a guy in Rolla MO that markets a vtwin 4 stroke airplane engine. I think it is actually a Vanguard engine that has be stripped of its shrouding and has different exhaust and Webber carb. He uses a belted redrive to turn the prop. Max hp is 40 for short duration and 32 hp sustained. The engine is 5 grand and includes a custom prop. It may not be enough hp for an amphib though. You'll have to sell a lot of hotdogs.......................
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

Ilika, Vanguards are good lookin' engines. How are they? I've never used them for any thing.

LOL Jacliny. Your money is no good. (I got 1st round, coffee or beer, your choice bud) It is getting a lil scary, I am close to actually doing this. "Flaming death from above" OR "did you see that?" snork.....
 

mechanickid

New Member
Aug 7, 2008
419
0
0
nh
Re: Flying MBs

wow i love the sound of selling hotdogs off a little boat on the ocean! that would be so awesome!!! im going to do it someday.
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

wow i love the sound of selling hotdogs off a little boat on the ocean! that would be so awesome!!! im going to do it someday.
If you want it, I have an out of date biz plan your welcome to for floating concession stands/hot dog carts. It is based on NY Harbor and 3 yr old prices, but your welcome to it. You would have to redo the graphs, #s and pie charts but looks great. Loan officers only read the first paragraph (executive summery) any way. I have a ton of time in to researching this, email me with any questions. Or any one know how I can post a word document on the web?

Boats are dirt cheap now. Good for setting up. Bad for traffic.
 
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Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
252
63
up north now
Re: Flying MBs

There's a guy in Rolla MO that markets a vtwin 4 stroke airplane engine. I think it is actually a Vanguard engine that has be stripped of its shrouding and has different exhaust and Webber carb. He uses a belted redrive to turn the prop. Max hp is 40 for short duration and 32 hp sustained. The engine is 5 grand and includes a custom prop. It may not be enough hp for an amphib though. You'll have to sell a lot of hotdogs.......................

That's the guys @ backyard flyer. Those are Generac engines.
 

mechanickid

New Member
Aug 7, 2008
419
0
0
nh
Re: Flying MBs

If you want it, I have an out of date biz plan your welcome to for floating concession stands/hot dog carts. It is based on NY Harbor and 3 yr old prices, but your welcome to it. You would have to redo the graphs, #s and pie charts but looks great. Loan officers only read the first paragraph (executive summery) any way. I have a ton of time in to researching this, email me with any questions. Or any one know how I can post a word document on the web?

Boats are dirt cheap now. Good for setting up. Bad for traffic.
thats great thanks, but its going to be a while b4 i do anything like that.
 

jacliny

New Member
Oct 20, 2008
63
1
0
Ridge,New York
Re: Flying MBs

Dan, i think the OCC guys built a chopper with one of those engines, it looked pretty cool as usual. think they had it buttoned up to a six speed tranny. Ive got a four stroker build comming up next week, it will be my first, maybe a couple of them will do the trick for us! (notice i said us!). Intellegence has a limit, you know the high IQ scores, but ignorance knows no bounds!! lol. I have a couple of model wings hanging in here that i know will lift at least 40 lbs each, sooo we're half way there! almost. again with the "we"
! This just keeps getting better and better!
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

LI Joe, I just saw your post. Sorry about not replying sooner.
I found hang glider school upstate! They have a one day introductory class. I am gonna do it in the spring. Whats the worst that can happen? No real chance of burning then crashing. Just the crashing part. I am thinking take Carol and the MB Make a weekend out of it. Pretty country up that way. You good folks are invited. I will tell them that we represent the "international flying motor biker boat association" (IFMBBA) and ask for a group discount. rotfl Sad to report I actually do find that funny
 

jacliny

New Member
Oct 20, 2008
63
1
0
Ridge,New York
Re: Flying MBs

Dan, i want to be a member of the IFMBBA! Ill glady jump off a cliff with you! and your right cant crash and burn, just crash! not so bad!Repairable!
Started that four stroke kit today, what a bummer disappointed in the quality of the kit for sure, hope they make good on some of the parts. Needed some cheering up after a day like today. Count us in for the cliff jumping excurtion. We are looking forward to it. Is everyone in this forum as sane as we two? I have the feeling this is going to be one heck of a summer!!!!
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
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Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

WOW, bummer about the kit. Which kit or who did you get it from? Just sucks. Please give updates as you go. Is it bad parts or just all crapola?

LOL @ "sane"!
 

jacliny

New Member
Oct 20, 2008
63
1
0
Ridge,New York
Re: Flying MBs

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the forum, and Dan, I'm thankfull that we have a few more months of life left before or maiden flight!
Joe
 

Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
115
48
59
Moosylvania
Re: Flying MBs

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the forum, and Dan, I'm thankfull that we have a few more months of life left before or maiden flight!
Joe
Happy, happy Tday Joe and all!!!

rotfl , I was thinking we would survive the first few flights, take offs and landings due to fear and doing what we were tought. Later, when we "know what we are doing" make a big dark burnt spot in the earth.