Start up Navig Aero Partnership, project kick-off Summer 2014, funding or investor partner sought. Website © 2014 Ben Collins email
N a v i g A e r o
C r e a t o r o f t h e d r e a m s o a r e r
Aircraft design discussion
Private aircraft and sailplane architecture evolved quickly over the early years of the last century, settling into the familiar cross shaped monoplane. Aircraft are still under constant detail development, but the basic architecture has stagnated.
Companies like Pipistrel and Diamond really refined these concepts and offer planes at justifiable prices given their type of complex construction. Pursuing an interest in aviation remains an expensive pastime out of reach of most people. The question is though, why?
Consider that aeroplanes are simpler than cars - simpler gearbox, smaller engine, less raw materials, fewer components. Yet typically cost at least five times more to buy and own.
We also live in a world dominated by either traffic, poor roads or dramatic geography. In many countries a journey by aeroplane could make much more sense in fuel economy, time and pleasure. So why are private aircraft so under utilised?
The questions can be generally answered by; low volume manufacture, fractured customer base, labour intensive processes and expensive materials de rigueur for aircraft and also high ownership costs. But why so expensive? Go to the fridge and study the PET fizzy drinks bottle, 0.3mm plastic has replaced 5mm of glass in a one-penny-engineering-masterpiece.
So why don’t we build aircraft from cheaper materials with simpler processes?
This is what Navig Aero seeks to address.
An architecture breakthrough
There are historical and current aircraft that have broken the conventional architecture envelope such as the exciting new E-Go and most of Burt Rutan’s incredible design portfolio.
The dreamsoarer is a clean sheet design with a revolutionary adaptive airframe, designed to fly exceptionally yet be made from realistic materials and processes on a conventional production line similar to low volume car production. It follows more the philosophy of ”nature is the best designer” and ding an sich rather than drawing from aircraft historical precedents.
Transport
The world is dominated by wheeled vehicle travel and flying via airport hubs.
The dreamsoarer is an aircraft that can take off and land almost anywhere, from rough ground to snow or water. This means journeys can be made directly, quickly and efficiently with minimum carbon impact. The dreamsoarer glides at more than 22:1, so we need only use fuel for going upwards and across, simply turning off propulsion for the downward leg.
For many journeys worldwide, this can become the most logical form of travel.
Ascending carbon free
In fact, if we get lucky with thermals, some of the other flying up and sideways can also be carbon free. An alternative to thermalling is climbing free in strong winds >20knots, in the same way a seagull rises facing into the wind, made possible by extreme wing polymorphing.
The dreamsoarer can be a step change paradigm in private aviation worldwide through better architecture - you can learn more about the project philosophy in FAQ and video.