| Roadable Aircraft: Development History |
VTOL Experience to change the world: Roadable Aircraft is the culmination of 10 years of development and 3 VTOL Prototypes.
Roadable Aircraft’s pursuit of excellence has been to research the best engineering information available and study the formulas, notes, and test data from experiments that have become the benchmark or "state of the art", by those who were the cutting edge before us. In 1990 RAI pioneer and experimental aircraft builder Robert Mac Bride was meeting Charles Hiller the "Godfather" of modern VTOL technology and taking notes at the Hiller VTOL Museum. Hillers flying platform had been developed for the US ARMY, but they could see know strategic purpose in 1956 so it was abandoned after many successful tests. |
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We saw an opportunity to build upon Hillers success with modern aerospace design engineering and composite materials and a lightweight (185 lbs) putting out 950 hp (425hp reaching 16 counter rotating propellers inside the ducted fan. Kind of like supping up a design for a Model T with a supercharger and electronic fuel injection.
That was just the beginning. An education would not be complete without testing those theories and extending the envelope beyond the data reflected previously, in real world conditions under our own, patented designs, making our own destiny.
That is what Prototype 1 & 2 represent, education & knowledge. Education can be expensive, knowledge is costly but gives us the power to make decisions that have never been made or invented before. |
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| Education, knowledge and research are what we are building on, but confidence ….is priceless…and we are confident, in our design, our calculations made from information and R&D gathered from our first 2 vehicles that where we are going will assure Roadable Aircraft a place in history. |
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| Hiller’s notes were a starting point from which we would gain much before cutting our own edge. |
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| Robert McBride at the Hiller Museum 1990 |
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Roadable Aircrafts First prototype takes shape 1990-1992 (Lower Left)
Several propeller designs were tested (Center and Right) |
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| RAI Ugly Duckling US NAVY & RAI CRADA Co Developed Patented VTOL UAV Technology at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) between 2000 and 2004 Pt. Mugu California. |
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| Above: 6 foot (¾ scale) Remote Controlled UAV platform. The vehicle was designed specifically for "flight control system tests" using electric motors conducted at RAI’s interior hangar space facility while under co development agreement with US NAVY. |
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| RAI’s Rolls Royce Jet Turbine |
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| "Prototype 1 was the first step in an evolution of conceptual refinements and technological innovations that would pave the way for the next two VTOL vehicles. With the arrival of advanced computer assisted auto flight, Global Positioning (GPS) & Global Navigation (GNS), Roadable Aircraft is fusing cutting edge technology with lessons from Hiller, Bell and Robinson, as well as 18 years of our own research and development". Keith Michael Field RAI Chairman /Founder |
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| The "Flyer" circa 1991 was built on the success of
Hiller’s flying platform and the fusion of advanced technologies. |
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| Data was gained from tethered flight tests that would become the criteria for our future designs. |
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1993 RAI’s first Prototype “The Flyer” wins 1st Place & Best Invention of the Year
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| The Discovery Channel Invention Convention in San Francisco |
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| Roadable Aircraft Int. An evolutionary step for mankind… Straight Up Pictured Below RAI Prototype 2 prepares for flight tests 2000 |
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| RAI is an evolutionary step for all mankind. The dream of personal flight is shared by everyone and soon will be realized with advanced VTOL technology made affordable for personal transportation from Roadable Aircraft. |
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| RAI VTOL Vortex is a fusion of aerospace technologies that blur the line between Ferraris and Aircraft, able to take off and land like a helicopter. The V1 Vortex is a 4th generation prototype, which is the culmination of 18 years, and 3 prototypes, completion of a 3 year CRADA with US Navy with patented VTOL Technology. |
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| Roadable Aircraft Powered by Rolls Royce Jet Turbine C20 Weight 185 lbs./ Producing 950 HP / 425 HP reaches the propellers |
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| The Concept takes shape 1996 for the 2nd prototype. Several successful tethered flight tests between 1997 and 2004 concluded fiberglass duct was not rigid enough and would need to be composite carbon fiber. |
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| Projected Manufacturing Needs |
| For the future manufacturing needs, RAI projects a World Class Manufacturing Plant of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. to house the following departments: |
• Sales, Marketing and Administrative offices.
• Complete prototype machine and fabrication shop.
• Space for volume engine production.
• A CAD/CAM lab.
• A computer controlled machining facility.
• Composite controlled machining facility.
• Engine assembly and testing facility
• Fully instrumented engine dynamometer test facilities.
• Wind Tunnel
• About 4 acres of land for flight-test. |
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