If you want a really crazy idea, build a small glider to take the wheel-chair and tow it from the Ercoupe!
OK, I¹m getting my hat and coat.... Mike On 14/4/09 12:14, "Ed Burkhead" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Didn¹t Jack also have enough arm strength to use an arm-powered chair? > > I suspect any powered chair must weigh more. > > The usual 9 cubic foot baggage compartment may well be big enough for a chair. > Perhaps quick release mechanisms would let the batteries (and/or wheels) be > removed and lifted in separately allowing his assistant to do it through the > regular window/door opening. > > If any structure needed to be modified, I¹d suspect the rear-window zone would > be least structural. The fact that the Alons have the sliding canopy shows > that the rear canopy area can be separated from the plane while keeping the > plane¹s structural strength. Don¹t Alons have some reinforcement of the upper > edge of the rear cockpit? I imagine using that identical structure might get > easiest approval. > > A hinge at the back of the window/door structure combined with pneumatic > lifts like are used in car rear hatches could make opening and closing it more > practical. > > Perhaps even a full bubble canopy could be installed, hinged at the front > windshield support (probably requiring reinforcement) would let both Kim and > the chair be lifted in and out more easily. > > Heck, perhaps flight testing could show that the canopy is optional, allowing > the plane to leave the canopy at home and fly as an open top convertible like > Leonard Page¹s Wasp. (Didn¹t Leonard fly the Wasp with no canopy part of the > time? Did he have any problem with turbulent air over the empennage?) > > I don¹t expect there¹s any way to use an external pod on a low-slung plane > like a Coupe. Especially so for a 14² thick load. > > These are un-expert thoughts for you to discuss with an expert DER. > > Good luck, Kim. > > > > > ________________ Alon A2 A-188 G-HARY www.ercoupe.co.uk
