Cloud Flyer

The proto-type "Cloudwalker" worked like a charm, but complicated construction and the amount of lead required to trim it made me decide to drop the design. I put on the old thinking cap. Enter the  "Cloud Flyer"

 From previous successes and failures I have a pretty good idea of what works and of the problems I needed to remedy.

I had always used the pilots weight to counter the weight of the simulator. This is fine if only one person is using the unit or you don't want to use multiple monitors. You can trim by adding weights, but this is a pain and gives limited adjustability. Using a 25 lb monitor requires more than 100 lbs of trim weight to counteract the mass. 120 lbs or more extra mass gives sluggish handling and a whole bunch of flexing.

The "Cloudwalker" had to be setup for the heaviest pilot that will be using it. At 180 lbs I require about 220 lbs of weight to fly a reasonable stable sport plane. If I weighed 250 it would probably take another 100 lbs.  This was totally unacceptable

All my previous designs have the floor high making it very uncomfortable for tall and short  pilots for extended periods. For me after 10 minutes my feet were off the pedals. That was another priority.

The prototype is very good. The trim is so simple to use I can't understand why it took so long to discover. Turning a crank will level it in a few seconds. It is very comfortable, like sitting in an easy chair, I can fly for hours.

The old design got between 8 and 10 degrees of travel. The Cloud Flyer is truly amazing with  12 degrees dive and 15 degree climb. Bank to either side is 12 degrees. These measurements are in the high performance settings (seat raised for sensitive flying like an Extra)

Adjustability has been one of the goals with the "Cloud Flyer". Trim was the biggest, but I also included

• adjustable length for tall or short pilots

• adjustable sensitivity so you can fly skittish stunt planes or trainers

• adjustable control stick position

• adjustable control stick travel

 Getting into the older designs was always a challenge. The frame work is very mobile and if you were not ready it would toss you on the floor. With the "Cloud Flyer" you can stand on either of the rails when you enter and it doesn't move and the top of the frame is fixed and can be used as a handhold to support you getting in or out.

I have built my first three production "Cloud Flyers" to test the design before I put them up for sale. Little flaws are surfacing and being corrected, that's what prototyping is all about.

Dragon's Den

9,000 km in 11 days, sounds like something Jules Verne would have created and almost as exciting. Nearly run down by maniac truckers and a stunned Cadillac driving, garage sale, geriatric idiot. Toronto traffic has to be experienced to be believed. All things considered a real adventure.

The Dragons studio is on the 10th floor and 40,000 sq ft. As I was leaving they were taking a monster truck up in the freight elevator. The production is very polished and professional and the Dragons are... the Dragons.

Kevin O'Leary gave me some fantastic advice that has led me down another path that may prove to be very profitable. He said I needed to get the cost down so they could sell for $1000, make them out of plastic. Made me think and on the four day drive home I figured it out. Eliminated 1/3 of the parts and 2/3 of the expensive ones. It will cut the cost of production in half. I've built a prototype and it works even better.  I've hired an award winning designer to tweak it and started negotiating with a big player to get it to the market at an affordable price, so if you have been dreaming about a motion simulator start putting the cash aside, it is on the  way!

New

• The control stick moves in relation to the seat, not attached to the base

• Adjustable center of gravity to fit ANY weight of pilot without adding weight

• Adjustable control stick and pedal lengths so tall or short pilots can now reach the controls

• Adjustable control stick pivot so the stick movement can personalized

• Ability to adjust the overall sensitivity to fly stable heavies or skittish aerobatic planes

• Size, weight and ergonomics are far friendlier

 It's a

WINNER!

Interested, email me at   docsh@shaw.ca for more information

Coming Soon

Cloud Walker Electric Paramotor

One of my passions is paragliding and my frustration with the weather has given me an interest in paramotors. My first weighed over 100 lbs and that was ridiculous, so I built a lightweight unit. Weighted a trim 40 lbs, but the high performance engine was a pain to work with so I gave it up. The model airplanes showed me a different angle and I'm almost ready to test a very revolutionary electric unit. It weighs under 10 lbs without batteries and will break down to fit in a small suitcase.

It was ready to go when an electronic component failed so it looks like I won't get to test it until after the Dragon's Den

interested? drop me a line at docsh@shaw.ca