Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - What about small airplane windshield? Maybe also side windows and roof?

kach22i · 06-20-2012, 11:16 AM

In one of the Terrafugia flying car videos on Youtube, a female engineer in a hanger explains the process they went though to get both automotive and FAA approvals. The car/plane is registered as an "Off-Road" vehicle which can occasionally operate on the public roads.

She said they had to hire an engineer from the automobile industry, happened to be one with electric car experience in order to get the project done. Claimed the automotive aspects were trickier to comply with than the FAA.

Anyway, they use a polycarbonate windshield (legal on an off-road vehicle) which is coated to protect it from the abrasion of the windshield wipers (a car thing).

The earlier canard bumper was ditched in favor of a longer nose with crush/crumple zone.

Many other interesting things in that video. Unfortunately, Terrafugia has too many videos to sort through so I cannot find it for you.

06-20-2012, 11:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
kach22i Master EcoModder Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 4,178 Thanks: 127 Thanked 2,802 Times in 1,968 Posts	In one of the Terrafugia flying car videos on Youtube, a female engineer in a hanger explains the process they went though to get both automotive and FAA approvals. The car/plane is registered as an "Off-Road" vehicle which can occasionally operate on the public roads. She said they had to hire an engineer from the automobile industry, happened to be one with electric car experience in order to get the project done. Claimed the automotive aspects were trickier to comply with than the FAA. Anyway, they use a polycarbonate windshield (legal on an off-road vehicle) which is coated to protect it from the abrasion of the windshield wipers (a car thing). The earlier canard bumper was ditched in favor of a longer nose with crush/crumple zone. Many other interesting things in that video. Unfortunately, Terrafugia has too many videos to sort through so I cannot find it for you. __________________ George Architect, Artist and Designer of Objects 2012 Infiniti G37X Coupe 1977 Porsche 911s Targa 1998 Chevy S-10 Pick-Up truck 1989 Scat II HP Hovercraft You cannot sell aerodynamics in a can............