Aerocar 2000

The Aerocar 2000 is a roadable aircraft currently in development in the US. Its designer, Ed Sweeney, was inspired by Moulton Taylor's Aerocar of the 1950s (and is the owner of the only still-flying example of this vehicle). The Aerocar 2000 is intended to add a removable "flight module" consisting of wings, tail, and powerplant to a modified Lotus Elise roadster. In conception, this is far closer to the AVE Mizar of the early 1970s than to Taylor's designs, the vehicle portions of which were purpose-designed and built. Another difference with the original Aerocar (and similarity to the Mizar) is that the flight module is not designed to be taken away from the airfield. Finally, while the Aerocar used the one engine to drive both the road wheels and the propeller, the Aerocar 2000 (again like the Mizar) uses two separate engines. In the Aerocar 2000's case, the flight engine is a twin-turbocharged V-8 motor from a Lotus Esprit. A far lighter three-cylinder engine and gearbox from a Chevrolet Sprint is to be installed in the road module to power the vehicle on the ground.

The flight module is expected to be marketed for home building.

Specifications (Aerocar 2000, as designed)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: ft in ( m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
• Height: ft in ( m)
• Wing area: ft² ( m²)
• Empty: 2,850 lb (1,290 kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 3,450 lb (1,565 kg)
• Powerplant: Lotus V-8 engine, 350 hp (261 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 168 mph (270 km/h)
• Range: 300 miles (480 km)
• Service ceiling: ft ( m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

Related content

Related development: Lotus Elise

Comparable aircraft: AVE Mizar

Designation sequence: