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Letter from the President, May 2002

Dear Skycarâ Fans:

Skycar Development
In our April report I acknowledged that a change was being applied to the nacelle/airframe interface to improve the overall Skycar performance. This change that is now covered by patents pending will provide the following improvements in the Skycar's operation:

  1. Greatly reduce the problem of foreign object ingestion (FOD)
  2. Eliminate the need for variable pitch fans
  3. Improve theoretical thrust production for a given horsepower and fan diameter
  4. Reduce duct energy losses due to aerodynamic friction
  5. Place the VTOL lift center of the nacelles at the center-of-gravity


The Skycar is being re-assembled following this modification. During re-assembly we are making a number of improvements to the nacelle separate from the nacelle/airframe interface. These changes include improved deflection vanes together with vortex generators to improve vane flow. The result is a 12% increase in gross thrust or a 35% increase in net payload capability.

Final re-assembly will be complete by mid-May at which time the first extended hovering flight should take place.

Aerobot Highlights
Moller International was contracted by the California Transportation Department (CALTRANS) to develop a remotely piloted, electrically driven aerial vehicle for bridge inspection. MI had previously developed a prototype for CALTRANS that was successfully tested in the lab and in local tests, but it was not fieldable due to the size and nature of the ground-based electrical power supply. The new vehicle will be mobile with a truck-mounted power supply. In addition, the vehicle will be designed to maintain it position in space using Global Positioning System (GPS), and vehicle to ground radar and magnetic heading.

Engine Update
New, more powerful two rotor engines to replace the ones presently used in the Skycar are moving towards completion. The present Skycar units are single rotor engines of 530cc displacement producing 75 horsepower each. Nearly all parts are now in process, with expected completion in Q3 of 2002.

Yours truly,

Paul S. Moller