SoloTrek™
XFV™
[First released on 20/Jan/2001 - Current version
7.62.00 on 03/Oct/2004] |
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Specifications:
Power
Plant: 120 Hp
Fuel capacity: 65 lb
Empty weight: 295 lb
Normal TOGW: 530 lb
Max TOGW: 700 lb
Width: 104 inches
Length: 62 inches
Height: 90 inches
Fuel endurance: 130 nm
Hover endurance: 2+ hours
Maximum ceiling: 8,000 ft
Maximum speed: 70 kias
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SoloTrek™
XFV™ is a new kind of flying vehicle from Trek
Aerospace (former Millennium Jet Inc.) that transports an individual
in a standing position, efficiently and quietly, at speeds up to 80
mph. Because it is able to take off and land vertically (VTOL), like
a helicopter, SoloTrek™ XFV™ can easily operate out of extremely
confined spaces. Unlike an airplane with long wings, SoloTrek™
XFV™ never requires an airport runway.
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The
operator steps onto the machine and secures himself/herself in a
standing position. Then, using ordinary automobile gasoline, SoloTrek™
XFV™'s engine comes to life, energizing two counter-rotating
ducted fans. These fans produce the thrust necessary to lift the
machine and move it along toward its destination. By manipulating
the tilt and revolutions per minute (RPM) of the ducted fans, the
operator commands SoloTrek™ XFV™ to take off vertically,
dash to the ultimate destination, then land on any level surface
larger than a dining room table.
The big difficult in modeling this craft was due its shape. To model
the pilot's body, for the first time attempted in the X-Plane's
history, was such a pain, but it did worth every bit.
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Full functional custom panel.
Through this view the pilot can see both the internal helmet's digital
displays w/HUD and the external instruments and controls at pilot's
arms. This SoloTrek™ model is equipped with GPS.
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The
amazing first generation prototype
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The following
features are designed into the real SoloTrek™:
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ can be operated only by authorized (licensed & properly
trained) personnel. The machine will become enabled only after
a retinal eye scan, incorporated as part of the machine's heads-up
system, verifies the operator as a person trained and authorized
to fly the machine;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ will not become enabled unless the operator has programmed
in his/her correct weight into the aircraft;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ “manages” the operator's control inputs. This helps
to ensure that various flight maneuvers are kept controllable,
and within the operator's ability to deal with them safely;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ can be safely flown and landed in the event of a complete
electrical system malfunction. The craft “persuades” the operator
to land when the fuel state reaches an unsafe level. The persuasion
becomes increasingly strong as the fuel state becomes increasingly
unsafe;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ “encourages” the operator to land as soon as practical
if onboard sensors detect developing anomalies in any life-critical
systems or components;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™'s control system can be customized for operators with
different levels of experience: novice, intermediate, and advanced;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™ has been designed to accommodate operators within
the 5 to 95 percentile range of sizes and weights;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™'s fuel system ensures that contaminated fuel never
reaches the engine;
- SoloTrek™
XFV™'s ballistic parachute deploys automatically to provide
an additional level of security for operating at altitudes greater
than 100 feet above the ground.
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A
major focus of the Trek Aerospace effort is the use of fixed-pitch
fan blades for the transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
Forward flight is to be achieved by the operator leaning forward 15-20
deg.
In its initial configuration, the XFV is being tested with a piston-powered
Hirth F30 engine used to power ultralights. A switch to a small gas
turbine engine is expected on production vehicles. |
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One
candidate is the Williams International WTS-125 that powers the Canadair
Peanut. The WTS-125 produces 125 shp., giving SoloTrek a margin of
about 55 shp. above the nominal power needed for liftoff.
Another is a small turbine developed for M-Dot Corp. for an unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV) that has since been canceled. |
Versions History
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VERSION
7.62.00 (03/Oct/2004)
(=) Updated the HUD instruments inside the digital-helmet
"cockpit";
VERSION
7.30.00 (07/Dec/2003)
(+) Ducted fans officially implemented by X-Plane. Perfect
thrust output;
(+) Reshaped helmet (on external 3D view model) with customized
painting;
(+) Terminated the annoying beep-beep sound while flying;
VERSION
7.10.00 (01/Oct/2003)
(+) Propellers driven by only one engine like in the real
craft;
(+) Ducted fans redesigned (see-through from up or down
in external view);
(+) Ducted fans with 10 degrees of tilting freedom (like
the real one);
(+) Instruments view resized to take advantage of the enlarged
viewscreen area;
(+) Instruments view optimized to take advantage of the
new zoom feature;
(+) New set of instruments inside the digital-helmet "cockpit";
(+) Artificial-Horizon sphere on-screen;
(+) Enhanced HUD information (AOA cue & slip indicator);
(+) DME and OBS numeric readouts on the "In-Sight-HSI";
(+) Working emergency parachute;
(+) Re-addressed landing lights;
(+) Fine tuned thrust, range, speed and altitude limits;
VERSION
6.70.00 (30/Sep/2003)
(=) Fixed the last issues with stabilization and software
crashes in X-Plane v6.70;
VERSION
6.25.01 (05/Oct/2002)
(+) Added a small switch at top right corner of the helmet
to control HUD dimmer;
(=) Fixed some display lettering that were not been presented
in the altimeters;
VERSION 6.25.00 (15/Sep/2002)
(=) The instruments panel was totally rebuild in design
and function;
(=) The propulsive system was totally revamped by the constructor's
numbers;
(=) Improved flight and hover performance -- very realistically
now;
(=) The engines are not vectored anymore -- more fidelity
now;
(+) It was added the cruciform working surfaces at both
engines bottom;
(+)
The rear skid was rectified (re-added the tail dumper);
(-) The emergency parachute was disabled due to feature
issues :(
VERSION
5.60.03 (former v1.3) (13/Jul/2001) - Thanks to Mr.
Larry Setty help
(=) The engines are vectored again as they were in the original
model;
(=) Improved flight performance -- more realistically now;
VERSION
5.60.02 (former v1.2) (10/Jun/2001)
(=)
Corrected the helmet's display LCD bar colors, thanks to
Austin accepting my suggestions;
(=) The engines are not vectored anymore due to compatibility
issues;
(=) The rear skid was simplified (removed the tail dumper);
(=) Upgraded to X-Plane v5.60;
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Note:
I changed the version numbering scheme
for my models to be more representative of the actual X-Plane
version they were built compatible. The number shown is the minimum
necessary for the model to work well.
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For whom desires to model also the planned SoloTrek™ brother,
the DuoTrek™ (shown above at right) please check at the Trek
Aerospace site. SoloTrek™, XFV™, DuoTrek™, Millennium
Jet and Trek Aerospace are trademarks registered by Trek Aerospace
and the two small illustrations above, plus the prototype photo shown
here are also their property. This does not conform copyright violation. |
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Almost
everything here done by me: Marcelo M. Marques - codename 31 M.M.M
mmarques@frontier.com.br
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