LaBiche FSC-1
Encyclopedia
The LaBiche Aerospace FSC-1 is a prototype Flying Car
Flying car
A flying car or roadable aircraft is an aircraft that can also travel along roads. All the working examples have required some manual or automated process of conversion between the two modes of operation....
and is an example of a practical flying car capable of utilizing today's automotive and aviation infrastructure to provide true "door-to-door" travel.
Design and development
The FSC-1 can be parked in any garage or parking space available for cars and is the first known vehicle capable of automatic conversion from aircraft to car at the touch of a button. LaBiche has flown a 1/10 scale model, tested a 1/4 scale model and is now testing the FSC-1 prototype #1 (as of Oct 2007). Currently, the FSC-1 requires a pilot and driver's licenseDriver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
to operate. However, upon approval from the FAA, development is underway for utilizing a new satellite navigation "hands free" flight system to travel from airport to airport that will eliminate the need for a pilot's license. Numerous safety systems and fail safes are also employed on the FSC-1, such as a recovery parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
.
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The "Flying Sports Car-1" FSC-1, developed and marketed by LaBiche Aerospace under the name FSC-1, is a 5 seat, single engine, integrated style flying car
Flying car
A flying car or roadable aircraft is an aircraft that can also travel along roads. All the working examples have required some manual or automated process of conversion between the two modes of operation....
. The LaBiche FSC-1 was introduced as a roadable aircraft (flying car) to fulfill the needs of a personal vehicle that is capable of "true" high-speed, "door-to-door" travel, utilizing current automotive and aviation infrastructure.
History
Development of the FSC-1 began in the late 1980s after Mitchell LaBiche, founder of LaBiche Aerospace, became stranded for several days due to foul weather while on a typical cross-country trip in a light aircraft. While only 60 miles away, the weather was clear. Yet there was no way to move the aircraft to the clear weather. This painful challenge stirred the designer to come up with a modern, flexible, and practical vehicle capable of true "door-to-door" travel.The idea of flying cars (or roadable aircraft) had long been known. However, initial work centered on VTOL
VTOL
A vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
vehicles. After several years of research, market analysis, and customer surveys, the requirements for the FSC-1 were developed.
Today
LaBiche Aerospace is now testing the full scale prototype #1 (as of Oct 2007). The vehicle is now on sale. However, the latest news on the LaBiche website is from September, 2007.Specifications LaBiche FSC-1
- Official Model Designation - LaBiche 460sc
(designates - 4 seats, 6.0 liter, super-charged engine)
Engine
- One mid-mounted, 450 hp (336 kW ) General Motors, LS-2, supercharged, V-8, all aluminum engine driving two sets of two bladed co-axial, counter-rotating propellers. The same engine also powers the rear wheel through a transaxle.
Aircraft Mode
- DIMENSIONS:
- Wing span: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)
- Length: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
- Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.38 m)
- WEIGHTS:
- Empty equipped: 2,497 lb (1,135 kg)
- Max. takeoff: 3,800 lb (1,727 kg)
- PERFORMANCE:
- Max. speed: 261 knots (300 mph, 483 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 225 knots (260 mph, 416 km/h)
- Take off speed: 63 knots (73 mph, 117 km/h)
- Minimum landing speeds: 60 knots (70 mph, 111 km/h)
- Minimum landing distance: 455 feet (140 m)
- Take off distance: 476 feet (145 m) using patented "Rear-Wheel Powered Assist Takeoff"
- Take off distance (Norminal): 1231 feet (375 m)
- Initial climb: 2,438 ft/min (804 m/min)
- Service ceiling: 34,100 ft (10,400 m)
- Range: 845 nautical miles (1,565 km)
Car Mode
- DIMENSIONS:
- Width: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Length: 18 ft 2 in (5.79 m)
- Height: 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m)
- PERFORMANCE:
- Max. speed: 180 mph (156 knots, 290 km/h)