known manufacturer designation american man personal helicopter developed mid-1950s intended operated inexperienced pilots minimum minutes instruction expected standard reconnaissance machine united_states_army early testing showed craft promise providing mobility atomic battlefield extensive evaluation proved aircraft fact difficult control operation pair crashes project abandoned single model craft display design development early 1950s developed system control mounted underside aircraft machine steered pilot simple shifting weight kept stable actions natural known control similar principle mechanics riding bicycle hoped concept allow pilots operate aircraft little training time testing proved idea merit companies including began development concept concept proposed man flying platform received company designation expected able carry pounds cargo auxiliary imp gal fuel tank extend range miles addition pilot addition cargo lifting line shaft carrying loads underneath craft machine simple cross shaped frame pilot standing platform secured safety harness harness secured aircraft engine motor manufactured mercury marine engine controlled twist grip motorcycle style throttle transferred power foot diameter rotating belt drive chain reduction unit aircraft landing gear consisted end arm frame large rubber float middle allowing amphibious capability arrangement later replaced pair conventional helicopter type testing originally designated later designated named prototype flight november free flight taking place january flights totaling hours flight time conducted results early test flight program considered promising dozen examples type ordered serial numbers predictions craft provide transport modern version old horse cavalry providing airborne eyes ears army test program transferred virginia captain took test flying duties designed easy fly early testing indicated soldiers learn operate craft minutes claiming minutes instruction required addition proved faster flying platform designs evaluated army quickly determined craft difficult fly expected safe hands inexperienced pilot addition low mounted proved prone kicking small rocks debris series free flying test flights lasting minutes suffered pair accidents crashes occurred similar conditions rotating collided blades shattering causing immediate loss control resulting crash aerodynamic testing conducted scale wind tunnel discovered forwards speed limited pitching motion tip clearance sufficient inability determine precise cause combined fact personal lifting device concept failing live expectations led decision terminate project awarded test flying work going test fly helicopters seeing combat vietnam war retiring rank colonel parachute development entirely new type parachute extremely fast opening characteristics developed use testing flying platforms designed use miles hour altitudes low feet proved insufficient reliability use personnel parachute aircraft display dozen examples type ordered single example survived aircraft currently display fort virginia specifications data general characteristics crew pilot height air bags handle bars weight gross weight fuel capacity imp gal powerplant mercury marine motor main diameter performance maximum speed mph cruise speed mph range nmi endurance minutes service ceiling
De Lackner HZ-1 Aerocycle