Hoverbike Flying Closer to Reality

Hoverbike Flying Closer to Reality

Another long-standing dream of many technological¹ inventors is quickly approaching reality. U.S.- and British-based firms are cooperating in the development of an individual flying platform they call a hoverbike. They say it may revolutionize the concept of flying, including in the U.S. military.

The device, a quadcopter, is in the initial stages of testing before a human pilot takes a seat in it.

The concept was developed by New Zealand inventor Chris Malloy, who wanted to build a small, cheap aircraft for driving cattle and surveying land.

His British-based company, Malloy Aeronautics², manufactured the prototype, which the U.S. technological company Survice Engineering is testing for possible military use.

“This craft was designed from the ground up, for someone to get on and off," said Mark Butkiewicz of Survice. "This one provides the stability of having four rotors, so you’re not sensitive to gravity issues. They are not so separated that you have problems getting on and off the craft.”

During a demonstration³, the remotely-controlled scale model performed beautifully, carrying a dummy⁴ pilot called "Buster." The U.S. Army thinks it could someday carry soldiers, flying low over rugged⁵ or dangerous terrain⁶.

A full-size model is already being built in Britain, but testing by a human pilot will depend on the craft’s safety and reliability⁷.

“We’re looking at several ways to improve that, including the ability to operate with one rotor out," Butkiewicz said. "That capability⁸, I think, will make sure that it is reliable and safe for both military and civilian⁹ use.”

The full-size hoverbike will be powered by a gasoline engine turning an alternator to provide power for its four electric rotors. There will be two versions, with one and two seats. They will fly up to 96 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour), with a range of up to 240 kilometers (150 miles).

Butkiewicz said no firm dates have been set for the testing of the full-size model.

“Talking with the U.S. Army counterparts, we are looking into a three-to-five-year development effort, so that would be a good time frame to expect additional progress on the hoverbike,” he said.

For now, Malloy Aeronautics is selling a battery-powered scale model of its Hoverbike for about $1,000 to $1,600, useful for aerial photography or light deliveries.

1 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

2 aeronautics   

n.航空术，航空学

参考例句：

• National Aeronautics and Space undertakings have made great progress.国家的航空航天事业有了很大的发展。
• He devoted every spare moment to aeronautics.他把他所有多余的时间用在航空学上。

3 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

4 dummy   

n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头

参考例句：

• The police suspect that the device is not a real bomb but a dummy.警方怀疑那个装置不是真炸弹，只是一个假货。
• The boys played soldier with dummy swords made of wood.男孩们用木头做的假木剑玩打仗游戏。

5 rugged   

adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的

参考例句：

• Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
• The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。

6 terrain   

n.地面，地形，地图

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

7 reliability   

n.可靠性，确实性

参考例句：

• We mustn't presume too much upon the reliability of such sources.我们不应过分指望这类消息来源的可靠性。
• I can assure you of the reliability of the information.我向你保证这消息可靠。

8 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

9 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。