Larry Neal’s Super Sky Cycle
Posted By RichC on February 16, 2006
Thanks to EAA friend Mark Keener and his scrutiny of all things aviation, a video clip of Larry Neal flying his Super Sky Cycle was brought to my attention – its an interesting flying motorcycle prototype nearing kit production. I know what you’re thinking, “But Rich, the media has been telling us about these kinds of things for decades, why is this any different?” Maybe it’s not, but on the surface, it looks pretty good.
The Super Sky Cycle design by Larry Neal was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,978,969 on Dec. 27 2005 and will help open the door to technology protection in regards to his rotorcraft. What’s particularly unique is that this motorcycle looking ‘flying machine’ is that he has a patent that covers a vehicle with a folding rotor shaft and transmission to power either the drive propeller or wheels.†According to Neal, “The problem with flying cars in the past was what to do with the wings once you were on the ground. With a gyroplane, just fold the rotor blades and drive on down the road. Using rotor blades for the wings of a flying car makes the fly-drive Super Sky Cycle a new kind of vehicle.â€
Larry Neal and investors in ButterflyLLC, plan to market their “fly-drive” vehicle as an experimental kit. In a press statement that explains a few of the components that are incorporated in the Super Sky Cycle. It is powered by a Rotax 582 engine (commonly used in a variety of Ultralight Aircraft) and uses a three-blade 60-inch propeller and unpowered folding rotor blades for lift. Although this patented flying motorcycle is based on the Monarch Butterfly experimental aircraft, the Super Sky Cycle has just recently made its maiden flight. (December 23, 2005) Neal’s new fly-drive vehicle is capable of flying as slow as 20 mph, cruises at 50 mph using half throttle, and tops out at 65 mph. It has been designed to land in about 20 feet and when folded will fit in a standard garage.
I’m slowly progressing on a plan based experimental airplane project myself (Sonex), and like all aviation enthusiasts continue to admire almost all personal flying machines. In my blog, I’ve enjoyed commenting on 1930’s aircraft which have similarities to Larry Neal’s projects, like the Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro, or pondering the vision of a company designing the AMV-211 concept. It is interesting to monitor and contemplate what the future of personal aviation has to offer.
Want to know what Larry Neal is planning next? All one has to do is to see what on the workshop table. (ie. a two-place Super Sky Car!)
For those of you thinking about attending “Sun’n Fun†fly-in at Lakeland, Florida (April 4-10), be sure to say hello to Larry Neal and check out his Super Sky Cycle. BTW … he plans on demonstrating it in both flying and driving modes.
Larry Neal and his Super Sky Cycle – WFAA News Clip
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