LISA Airplanes has completed test runs and frozen materials choices for the first production unit of its high-speed, amphibious AKOYA skiplane. Composites play a big part in the plane's structural components.
The AKOYA is a two-seater amphibious plane that can land on and take off from water, land on snowy surfaces, travel at least 1,600 kilometers (or 1,000 miles) before refueling, and reach speeds of 250kmh (or 135 knots). Its retractable landing gear is equipped with skis. The plane can land on a field less than 200 meters long, and it can fold its wings to be parked inside a garage.
LISA Airplanes conducts flight tests of its high-speed, long-distance AKOYA amphibious skiplane, whose structures are made primarily of composites. The plane is shown taking off at low speed from France's Bourget Lake. (Source: LISA Airplanes)
Unlike traditional amphibious planes, the AKOYA does not have a float, hull, or step, which improves aerodynamics and flight performance. Instead, the company's patented design uses two underwater fins called Seafoils, which let the plane lift its fuselage out of the water quickly. The fins also provide stability during takeoff and landing on water, giving the craft better tolerance in choppy seas.
The airframe, including wings and fuselage, is made entirely of composite materials, which are also used in several small parts of the plane. These materials include fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon prepreg, and lightweight sandwich structures consisting of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic with a polymer foam core.
"All the weight-bearing primary structures are made of carbon prepreg or carbon sandwich," Vincent Cordeau, supply chain manager at LISA Airplanes, told us. "The Kevlar is used to protect zones against perforation and tearing. For instance, the area under the fuselage has a Kevlar external layer. Fiberglass layers are used to make external layers for waterproofness and finish quality."
Actually this and the Terrafugia, which we've written about, show the flying car is just around the corner. The Terrafugia, which I've personally seen and sat in, has wings that fold up and can operate on the road or in the air. This week, Terrafugia announced that its prototype plane, the Transition, had completed its first flight and it's aiming to get the car/plane to market by next year. I've also read about another company who is working on the flying car and claims to have already tested a maiden flight. The company is PAL-V and it has a video on its Web site of the craft's first flight.
This is definitely impressive, especially watching it in action. Naperlou, your neighborhood sounds pretty unique. Have you read about the Terrafugia Transition? Check it out here.
Beth, this is a very high-end, upscale, custom built, leather-seats type of aircraft for private use. williamlweaver, you made me laugh--yes, this does make me think of our 1950s flying cars. And naperlou, sounds like you live near a community that's already set up for the AKOYA.
I want one! We have a neighborhood in our town called Aero Estates. They have their own runway, and all the houses have 3 car garages and a hangar. The taxiways are in the back between the houses. With one of these, I could park it in the third bay of my conventional garage and just tool down the street to the runway. Almost a flying car.
So maybe now that the price of composites is coming down we will see more innovative designs like this? Designers and engineers can only do so much with aircraft aluminum and fiberglass. Can our 1950s flying car be far behind?
Very cool looking design and it definitely seems to be pushing the envelope in terms of use of composites. I can't tell from the look of the plane what it's intended use case is? If it can fit in a garage, is this a plane for individual consumers (obviously flight enthusiasts) or is it viewed for more commercial use?
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