Short Summary

Have you ever wanted to fly like a humming bird?...hovering at will...manuvering with seemingly effortless transitions from one point to another.  Who among us has not dreamed of what it would be like to “break the surly bonds of earth”, and fly...not super fast...not super far...not even like Superman...just the exploration of the freedom of flight itself.

   

           

The Quadralight Project is going to fulfill a lifelong dream for many...this Indiegogo campaign is designed to take the first small step toward VTOL flight, (Vertical Take Off & Landing), for anyone that has ever shared the dream.  Mine started when I first watched the test flights of the “Jet Pack”, back in the 1960’s...then came James Bond escaping the bad guys with a Jet Pack, landing next to the beautiful young woman waiting next to a sports car they both drive away in...yea, okay I'll admit it...I wanted a Jet Pack, I wanted a Jet Pack really, really bad...and so did millions of others.  (Check out the scene from "Thunderball" at this address:   http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/File:Bond_39_Je...   ).

The problem is a Jet Pack is expensive to operate, and extremely limited regarding its total flight time capabilities, (and beautiful young women always grow old and ugly, but then so does James Bond...which is why they keep changing the guy that plays him in the movies)...such is life.  Check out these videos, but keep in mind that each flight only last about 30 seconds:  http://mentalfloss.com/article/12559/heres-your-jetpack .

None the less, Quadralight technology will take us where the Jet Pack was supposed to.  During the last few years the development of the rc “Quad” has created a plethora of new technical solutions regarding Vertical Take Off & Landing, (VTOL), capabilities at the level of a small unmanned “drone”.  However the mass to power ratio required to produce a large enough lift/thrust component to support manned flight has been hindered by technical limitations...until now.

What We Need & What You Get

By the time the Quadralight project produces a "production prototype" she will be an electric hybrid aircraft.  That means that electric motors will power each of her propeller assemblies, and the motors will get their energy from an electric generator that is powered by an internal combustion engine.

However...this campaign is designed to produce a single "working prototype" that will confirm the aerodynamic predictions, and operational perimeters that the Quadralight should have...in specific, our most important objective is to verify the yaw, pitch, and roll capabilities of the weight-shift control system.

As a result, all the major power/thrust components are available "off the shelf", and only the airframe itself will be an intrinsic, one of a kind assembly.  This approach will save a lot of time, but will still yield the required technical data base to determine the most appropriate control system interface for future production models.

The minimum budget requirement to produce the Quadralight working prototype is approximately $27,300...(including the cost of the engine/propeller assemblies, rpm synchronization electronics, and raw materials for the airframe itself).  In addition, there is an Indiegogo fee somewhere between 4% and 9%, and the associated perks vary between approximately 9% and 20% of the pledge value.  (Labor cost are expected to consist of a slice of pizza and can of soda every three to four hours...I know what you’re thinking...”make sure the pizza only has one topping”.  Fear not...we’ve got labor covered).

The bottom line is this:  Our best estimate regarding the minimum budget for the Quadralight prototype comes to approximately $32,500, (Including the shipping cost of the engine/propeller assemblies from Ohio).  This may sound like a lot of money, but we assure you it is not.  What we are doing must be done correctly, there is a very small tolerance for error...error of any kind.  That being said...we are making sure that the intrinsic technical details regarding the power to thrust conversion are accomplished by experts that have years of experience engineering thrust systems for ultralight aircraft...and in our case the Hirth F-23 engine is the ideal choice...50 hp, with a total weight of just 78 lbs...(about 35.5 kg.  http://www.recpower.com/F-23%202%20cycle%2050hp...  ).

The technologies have several common denominators, but there are also intrinsic new challenges, such as synchronizing the rpm’s of four engines, and making certain that the rpm power curve of the engines match the thrust rpm requirements of the associated propellers.  Still after all things are considered, the only real challenge that didn’t involve “off the shelf” hardware was the design of the airframe itself...the mainframe configuration of which is shown in the model.
 

The perks reflect the Quadralight project’s focus on vertical take off and landing, (VTOL), flight capabilities.  This includes three types of rc “Quads”, commonly referred to as “Drones”, and a more conventional helicopter with counter-rotating main rotor blades, which can be used to play a game called “Balloon Riding”...such fun, (watch the video, and you’ll see what we mean...it was produced in the Philippines in 2012 for a project called "Airobotics"...our apologies to Kenny Loggins...right click the link, and then select "open link in new tab".   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGYEZEzwZRI  ).

The positive impact that Quadralight technology can have on our world is widespread.  The advantages of search and rescue operations aided with incredibly inexpensive access to VTOL flight capabilities are obvious...as is the ability to have EMS “boots on the ground” at an accident site in a fraction of the time a ground based ambulance can arrive at the scene.

In addition, our military forces will have a new technology that can provide intelligence through surveillance...remote control emergency evacuation capabilities for trapped, or wounded combatants...automated logistical supply capabilities...and a plethora of other uses those guys will dream up.

Quadralight technology will make VTOL flight capabilities affordable, easy to operate, and inexpensive to maintain for purposes we have yet to even consider.  “Float like a Butterfly...Sting like a Bee...when the Quadralight flies, it’s something to see”.  Please join us...and together, we will light up the sky.

Regarding the “Risk & Challenges” of the project...obviously the Quadralight is a flying machine, (I helped build my first one in 1970...in the picture that’s me in the cockpit)...and one thing that all machines that fly have in common, is their ability to stop flying, and fall out of the sky.  When that happens it can be very dangerous...and at times...even fatal.

Quadralight technology is a dream the TDF team has shared for many, many years.  The technical capabilities are finally within reach...we are aware of the risk involved...and we solicit your support as we invite you to vicariously experience the moment of creation, when a new machine spreads it’s wings, and flies for the very first time...(if we beat our goal we'll have a live webcam online during the initial test flight program, which should be very intense...we sincerely appreciate you're support).

Cecil & the Quadralight Team

PS...an emergency recovery parachute system is also not included in the initial budget...so initial flights will be limited to just a few meters above the ground, (unless we exceed our budget of course), but once she’s ready, we expect her flight ceiling to be in excess of 3,000 meters.  She will make you proud to be a part of her creation.