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Unique in the era of fail-safe aircraft design is the two-spar telescopic wing. This paper examines the structural integrity of this wing for use on the Advanced Flying Automobile as described in the “Design Concepts and Market Opportunities for Flying Automobiles”, Reference 1.

This paper examines in greater detail the steering mechanism of an Advanced Flying Automobile as described in the “Design Concepts and Market Opportunities for Flying Automobiles”, SAE Paper 921570 and “Design and Styling of an Advanced Flying Automobile”, SAE Paper 932603. The desire to design and manufacture a flying automobile, one from which both the driver and the pilot would receive maximum benefit, was prompted by the various conceptual designs. The steering system employs multi-function control unit which serves the front wheels, the elevators and the ailerons. In the flight configuration, 90 degree movement of a steering wheel in either direction, causes the ailerons to translate to their extreme angular position while the front wheels turn a minimal amount. Whereas the steering wheel turns greater than 90 degrees have no effect on the movement of the ailerons. Pulling and pushing of a steering wheel controls the movement of the elevators.

This paper describes the advantages of door-to-door private transportation system and the benefits to the U.S. business community, industry and economy. Annually millions of travel time hours are lost by traveling population caught in traffic jams due to overcrowded freeways. The average speed during rush hours drops to 16-20 mph and it can take up to two hours to get from suburbs to the place of business and vice versa. Door-to-door travel time reduction for trips up to 400 miles, using one mode of transportation and the existing infrastructure, is possible with a vehicle like the Advanced Flying Automobile.

This paper describes the results of a study determining the feasibility of a reciprocating automotive engine for the Advanced Flying Automobile (AFA). The use of an automotive engine is brought about by the high cost of certified aircraft engines and the technological gap created over the past 50 years of manufacturing know-how. The research effort compiles knowledge required to convert the Corvette LS1 engine for highway and flight application. This study shows that LS1 engine is practical for the AFA design.