https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVE_Mizar
The AVE Mizar (named after the star Mizar) was a roadable aircraft built between
1971 and 1973 by Advanced Vehicle Engineers (AVE) of Van Nuys, Los Angeles,
California. The company was started by Henry Smolinski and Harold Blake, both
graduates of Northrop Institute of Technology's aeronautical engineering school.
The prototypes of the Mizar were made by mating the rear portion of a Cessna
Skymaster to a Ford Pinto. The pod-and-twin-boom configuration of the Skymaster
was a convenient starting point for a hybrid automobile/airplane. The passenger
space and front engine of the Skymaster were removed, leaving an airframe ready
to attach to a small car. AVE planned to have its own airframe purpose-built by
a subcontractor for production models, rather than depending on Cessna for
airframes.
According to Peterson's Complete Ford Book, by mid-1973, two prototypes had been
built and three more were under construction. One prototype was slated for
static display at a Van Nuys Ford dealership, owned by AVE partner Bert
Boeckmann. The other prototype, fitted with a Teledyne Continental Motors 210
horsepower (160 kW) engine, was unveiled to the press on May 8, 1973. It then
began a series of taxi tests at Van Nuys Airport. AVE made special arrangements
to do flight testing at the U.S. Navy's test facilities at Naval Air Station
Point Mugu, California. AVE stated that Federal Aviation Administration
certification flights were underway in mid-1973.
The Mizar was intended to use both the aircraft engine and the car engine for
takeoff. This would considerably shorten the takeoff roll. Once in the air, the
car engine would be turned off. Upon landing, the four-wheel braking would stop
the craft in 525 feet (160 m) or less. On the ground, telescoping wing supports
would be extended and the airframe would be tied down like any other aircraft.
The Pinto could be quickly unbolted from the airframe and driven away.
Production was scheduled to begin in 1974. AVE had stated that prices would
range from US$18,300 to US$29,000.
Role
Roadable aircraft
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Advanced Vehicle Engineers
Designer
Henry Smolinski
Introduction
1973
Number built
2
Developed from
Ford Pinto, Cessna Skymaster
On a test flight from Camarillo Airport in California on August 26, 1973,
according to test pilot Charles "Red" Janisse, the right wing strut base
mounting attachment failed soon after takeoff. Because turning the aircraft
would put too much stress on the unsupported wing, Janisse put the aircraft down
in a bean field. After the roadway was closed to traffic, Janisse drove the
otherwise undamaged aircraft back to the airport.
On September 11, 1973, during a test flight at Camarillo, the right wing strut
again detached from the Pinto. With Janisse not available for this test flight,
Mizar creator Smolinski was at the controls. Although some reports say the Pinto
separated from the airframe, an air traffic controller, watching through
binoculars, said the right wing folded. According to Janisse, the wing folded
because the pilot tried to turn the aircraft when the wing strut support failed.
Smolinski and the Vice President of AVE, Harold Blake, were killed in the
resulting fiery crash.
Even though the Pinto was a light car, the total aircraft without passengers or
fuel was already slightly over the certified gross weight of a Skymaster.
However, in addition to poor design and loose parts, the National Transportation
Safety Board reported that bad welds were partly responsible for the crash, with
the right wing strut attachment failing at a body panel of the Pinto.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: three passengers
Length: 28 ft (8.5 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Performance
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft ()
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