May 1 2008Oh Hell Yes: The Personal Rocket-Copter
We've seen personal helicopters here before, but nothing with the added awesomeness of jet-power. Well now from the same company that brought us the Rocket Belt (Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana) comes the Libelula (named after a part of a woman's nether-region if I'm not mistaken) Rocket Helicopter. It's currently just conceptual, but they actually sold the Rocket Belts, so this may become a reality as well (oh hell yes, please). "By using tiny rocket motors at the tips of the rotor blades, the Libelula eliminates the torque which makes a tail rotor necessary in a conventional helicopter." Now, as a guy who judges how much fun something will be based on the level of danger involved, I give the rocket-copter a "moderate-to-high" ranking for fun potential. If they added bombs and missiles it'd score a solid "high". If it came with a faulty fuel gauge, one of the blades was just barely attached, and people shot at you every time you flew it I'd give it an "extreme" rating. Which, besides having unprotected sex with my ex-girlfriend, is the only activity to rank so highly.
Strap on rocket powered helicopter lets you demonstrate your bravery [dvice]
Reader Comments
1. Freddy K - May 1, 2008 5:28 PM
Oh hell yeah. I'm so getting one of these. Hurry up and come out with a prototype dammit!!
Go go gadget copter!!!
2. hoov - May 1, 2008 5:57 PM
FAKE! SCAM! NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! Sorry to burst your bubble Geekologie writer guy, but I believe Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana roughly translated is Mexican Aerospace Technology... And as we all know, that's impossible!
3. Bonjoor - May 1, 2008 6:21 PM
Hey mais c' est le fantacoptère !
4. SmokingGirl - May 1, 2008 6:34 PM
Si...fly.
5. Science Girl - May 1, 2008 6:45 PM
Libelula = dragonfly
The design is so cool!! But I'm wonder if that's gonna really get comercial.
6. poop-daddy - May 1, 2008 8:17 PM
i chuckle. i'm way too phat for this thing. i'd crasph it on my deck. yoph.
7. j_major - May 1, 2008 8:42 PM
people are stupid! if this rocket-copter actually starts selling, there would be lots of accidents and killings because of misusing. imagine your local DUI driver with blades!
8. hojo - May 1, 2008 9:17 PM
Looks fun at first, but on second thought, I am unilaterally opposed to anything which requires me to route straps through my ass-crack. No thong-acopter for me thanks.
9. buzz_clik - May 1, 2008 9:48 PM
Just don't forget to power it down after landing at the mall to do a spot of shopping, otherwise it's that scene from (Romero's) Dawn of the Dead all over again.
10. cohnsey - May 1, 2008 10:05 PM
How much does that thing cost?
11. Cyberwulf - May 2, 2008 4:19 AM
I'm sure use of that would require a special licence if they ever actually made it.
12. Ace - May 2, 2008 6:54 AM
"By using tiny rocket motors at the tips of the rotor blades, the Libelula eliminates the torque which makes a tail rotor necessary in a conventional helicopter."
No it doesn't.
13. Bernhard - May 2, 2008 8:36 AM
In related news:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWG-rq8X1Mg
14. Scott - May 2, 2008 9:46 AM
I think this is how the pixie dust guy lost his finger.
I think they should combine the rocket bike from Wed with this and make it into the ultimate kill yourself and others machine!
15. Ace - May 2, 2008 10:09 AM
Wait...maybe it does.
16. hojo - May 2, 2008 10:56 AM
The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103, which specifies a powered "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h or 64 mph), and a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots (45 km/h or 27.6 mph). Restrictions include flying only during daylight hours and over unpopulated areas. (wikipedia)
Soooo... if they can hit that mark, no license required.
17. crazygut - May 2, 2008 11:25 AM
First tip in making a personal helicopter. put the blade high enough, that if you stretch your arm over your head, you wont loose your hands...
18. SlowMonkey - May 2, 2008 12:39 PM
This sure would make the morning commute worthwhile. Added entertainment bonus: the mayhem that ensues when a cop tries to get someone to "pull over/down" and they make a run for it.
It is a good time to be alive.
19. Someone else - May 3, 2008 12:34 AM
Ace, you were right the first time.
Or, I guess it might if the goal is to prevent the blades from turning at all. That's possible. Then the blades would stand still while pilot-dude spins really quickly. Precious.
20. Someone else - May 3, 2008 12:37 AM
Oh.... I get it now. The pack doesn't spin the blades at all. The rockets are entirely responsible for spinning the blades. i'll shut up now.
21. corkmasterc - May 6, 2008 5:24 PM
when are they making a "rofl-copter"?