NASA Puffin concept returns to the birth of aviation

Posted By on January 23, 2010

Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk

NASA’s Puffin electric-powered, super-quiet personal VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft concept is ideal for those wanting a quick commute to work on a traffic congested morning … particularly if you’ve got a charging station on your buildings helipad  … and who doesn’t? Puffin Concept

The USMC V-22 Osprey looking aircraft could offer a bit more promise than jetpacks or “Sky Cycles” for those of us dreaming of personal flight without the need for clear runways. Nevertheless, by the time this concept is ready for test flights, it is going to require a new kind of pilot … most like one with the skills and backbone of Orville and Wibur Wright — belly flying (video below).

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Comments

  • Randy Mossberg

    Saw that the other day and was wondering if you were going to include it in you blog. I chuckled after seeing it appear this morning. BTW, I agrre with those who seeing government as out of control. Although I know I’m dreaming, TERM LIMITS for congress!

  • Randy Mossberg

    Saw that the other day and was wondering if you were going to include it in you blog. I chuckled after seeing it appear this morning. BTW, I agrre with those who seeing government as out of control. Although I know I’m dreaming, TERM LIMITS for congress!

  • Matthew

    The old experimental planes like this couldn’t be landed because the pilot couldn’t see downward and because the changes in thrust required due to being close to the ground were too rapid for engines (or humans) to keep up.

    Modern computers and some novel flight control devices might make this possible without superhuman piloting skills.

    I’m opposed to the idea on general principles: You can use a lot smaller engine if you use a runway. I imagine one of these, with all that power, would be a seriously fast airplane if you could design props that would work well both at hover and at high speed.

    They would certainly have to fix the belly flying thing, though. I mean, c’mon.

  • Matthew

    The old experimental planes like this couldn’t be landed because the pilot couldn’t see downward and because the changes in thrust required due to being close to the ground were too rapid for engines (or humans) to keep up.

    Modern computers and some novel flight control devices might make this possible without superhuman piloting skills.

    I’m opposed to the idea on general principles: You can use a lot smaller engine if you use a runway. I imagine one of these, with all that power, would be a seriously fast airplane if you could design props that would work well both at hover and at high speed.

    They would certainly have to fix the belly flying thing, though. I mean, c’mon.

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.