SoloTrek XFV
Encyclopedia
The SoloTrek XFV was a single-person VTOL
aircraft. It was first flown in December 2001 by Millennium Jet Inc, a private company run by Michael Moshier. Millennium Jet subsequently changed its name to Trek Aerospace Inc
. The SoloTrek had one seat and was propelled by two ducted fan
s located above and on either side of the user, leading some to class it as a type of backpack helicopter
. It ran for around 2 hours on gasoline
fuel. According to Michael Moshier, SoloTrek was capable of hovering for up to two hours, flying at 100km/h and travelling more than 200km.
One such model is featured in the movie Agent Cody Banks
, though it is shown to be 'flying' only by the use of special effects.
SoloTrek remains an extremely unusual design; to apply the name 'jet pack
' is incorrect; the pilot was strapped into the exoskeleton frame which took the weight of the machine whilst landed, though it performed the same aim. In numerous trials at Millennium Jet's facilities in Sunnyvale, California, the machine "appeared to perform perfectly".
During these flights, and for obvious safety reasons, the SoloTrek was 'tethered' to a sort of crane during test flights, to prevent uncontrolled ascent or travel. The tethers were designed to retract during lift-off to avoid being sucked into the exposed ducted fans at the top of the machine, but during a flight shortly after a rain shower in December, 2002, the tether failed to retract and became tangled in the propeller blades, which disintegrated. Pilot and machine dropped to the ground, but whilst the pilot walked away unharmed, SoloTrek would not be so lucky. Unable to stick to the tight development schedule that its backers demanded, Trek Aerospace lost funding, forcing reorganization in 2003.
After reorganization, Trek Aerospace extensively redesigned the aircraft, creating the Springtail EFV. This machine first flew in October, 2003, and went on to successfully complete its DARPA contract in 2005.
Trek Aerospace continues to develop ducted fan vehicles.
The original SoloTrek XFV is on display at the Hiller Aviation Museum
in San Carlos, California
.
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...
aircraft. It was first flown in December 2001 by Millennium Jet Inc, a private company run by Michael Moshier. Millennium Jet subsequently changed its name to Trek Aerospace Inc
Trek Aerospace
Trek Aerospace Inc is a small engineering company based in Folsom, California, USA. Despite its name, Trek Aerospace currently manufactures only terrestrial ducted-fan-powered aircraft and watercraft. The company's products have received some media attention....
. The SoloTrek had one seat and was propelled by two ducted fan
Ducted fan
A ducted fan is a propulsion arrangement whereby a fan, which is a type of propeller, is mounted within a cylindrical shroud or duct. The duct reduces losses in thrust from the tip vortices of the fan, and varying the cross-section of the duct allows the designer to advantageously affect the...
s located above and on either side of the user, leading some to class it as a type of backpack helicopter
Backpack helicopter
A backpack helicopter is a helicopter motor and rotor and controls assembly that can be strapped to a person's back, so that he can walk about on the ground wearing it, and can use it to fly. Its harness, like a parachute harness, should have a strap between the legs, so that the pilot does not...
. It ran for around 2 hours on gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
fuel. According to Michael Moshier, SoloTrek was capable of hovering for up to two hours, flying at 100km/h and travelling more than 200km.
One such model is featured in the movie Agent Cody Banks
Agent Cody Banks
Agent Cody Banks is an American action comedy film directed by Harald Zwart. Its story follows the adventures of the 15-year-old title character, played by Frankie Muniz, who has to finish his chores, avoid getting grounded, and save the world by going undercover for the CIA as a James Bond type...
, though it is shown to be 'flying' only by the use of special effects.
SoloTrek remains an extremely unusual design; to apply the name 'jet pack
Jet pack
Jet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack, and similar names are various types of devices, usually worn on the back, that are propelled by jets of escaping gases so as to allow a single user to fly....
' is incorrect; the pilot was strapped into the exoskeleton frame which took the weight of the machine whilst landed, though it performed the same aim. In numerous trials at Millennium Jet's facilities in Sunnyvale, California, the machine "appeared to perform perfectly".
During these flights, and for obvious safety reasons, the SoloTrek was 'tethered' to a sort of crane during test flights, to prevent uncontrolled ascent or travel. The tethers were designed to retract during lift-off to avoid being sucked into the exposed ducted fans at the top of the machine, but during a flight shortly after a rain shower in December, 2002, the tether failed to retract and became tangled in the propeller blades, which disintegrated. Pilot and machine dropped to the ground, but whilst the pilot walked away unharmed, SoloTrek would not be so lucky. Unable to stick to the tight development schedule that its backers demanded, Trek Aerospace lost funding, forcing reorganization in 2003.
After reorganization, Trek Aerospace extensively redesigned the aircraft, creating the Springtail EFV. This machine first flew in October, 2003, and went on to successfully complete its DARPA contract in 2005.
Trek Aerospace continues to develop ducted fan vehicles.
The original SoloTrek XFV is on display at the Hiller Aviation Museum
Hiller Aviation Museum
The Hiller Aviation Museum, located in San Carlos, California, USA at the San Carlos Airport, is an aircraft history museum. The museum was founded by Stanley Hiller, Jr., in June 1998. and is endowed by members of the Hiller Family . It specializes in Northern California aircraft history and...
in San Carlos, California
San Carlos, California
San Carlos is a city in San Mateo County, California, USA on the San Francisco Peninsula, about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. It is an affluent small residential suburb located between Belmont to the north and Redwood City to the south. San Carlos' ZIP code is 94070, and it is within...
.
External links
- SoloTrek XFV
- Ducted Rotor Test
- http://www.unrealaircraft.com/qbranch/solotrek_xfv.php
- http://www.trekaero.com/