One Australian expat is re-imagining the
future of general aviation. Lyn Gallacher
met innovator Richard Glassock at his
ofce in Nottingham, UK.
australianflying.com.au 65
cle
different kinds of propulsion
systems, control actuators,
airframes and human factors
are studied here, but it is the
electrification of aircraft that is
really taking off.Bikes in the sky
Richard’s current project, a f lying
motorbike, is part of his passion
to develop a future for personal
air transport. And this is how we
met. We both have an interest in
saving Australia’s small airports.
Richard knows that without small
airports there can be no place for
small aeroplanes. From his point
of view–that of an Australian
living abroad–he can’t believe how
much we take for granted (our
uncomplicated airspace, our f lat
terrain, our good climate) andhow much of this we are carelessly
throwing away. “New machines,”
he says, “are coming. Can we not
wait five years?" What he means is
that a great opportunity still exists
for Australia, although it has yet
to dawn on many that this new
paradigm is possible and probably
inevitable. Australia has some of
the most sparse airspace in the
developed world to test and
advance this new
technology, but we
don’t value it. The
new technology
is still some
way off, but
Richard is
adamant that
we really
do need to re-
think our attitudesand approach to innovation in
aviation. So many great things are
just about to happen and they will
benefit society at large if they are
not repressed.
Of course, one of those great
things is his f lying motorbike.
It is actually more accurately
an electric aircraft enabler that
attaches to the bottom of aMAIN: The REx lying motorcycle
is connected under the aircraft
and supplies power to an electric
aircraft, and transport once you
arrive.
ABOVE LEFT: This box-wing
design is another Glassock
innovation in the pipeline.
ABOVE: Glassock’s
turbo-electric solar concept.
BELOW: The Air Ute concept
would have one electric
motor under each wing.July – August 2018 AUSTRALIAN FLYING