Karem TR53 AeroTrain

[Triton]

Model of Karem TR53 AeroTrain on display at the AHS International forum in Montreal 2008.

Comparison of Karem TR53 AeroTrain to Boeing 737-600.

Artist's depiction of Karem TR-53 AeroTrain

Sources:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A75e2b273-ba06-4608-902b-9bd73993a5a1

http://karemaircraft.com/index-2.html

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/aircraft-pictures/2009/05/aerotrain-tiltrotor-could-be-f.html

 

[Orionblamblam]

The tail surfaces are disturbingly small.

 

[AeroFranz]

I can see how Karem could claim to be using differential prop for yaw control...not sure how he would address pitch with the tiny tail though....

I had never seen their website. It's singularly devoid of technical information

 

[Stargazer]

Karem seem to be everywhere at the moment, but we still need to see anything from them that actually takes to the air. Aviation history is full of startup companies that promised a lot and never delivered. So I really look at their proposals with a lot of wariness...

 

[yasotay]

Karem seem to be everywhere at the moment, but we still need to see anything from them that actually takes to the air. Aviation history is full of startup companies that promised a lot and never delivered. So I really look at their proposals with a lot of wariness...

Actually Abe Karem was behind the predessors to the Predator UAS and developed A-160 UAS. If the contractor gets no interest from the government to fund development where do the funds come from? Look what happend to Jay Carter. Years of investing his own funds and flying demonstrators. Look at Piasecki too. If the government is not willing to provide any support that will allow small companies to find investors they will never get anywhere and you are stuck with the whims of the larger production companies who are as risk adverse as the government.

My opinion

 

[Sundog]

Karem seem to be everywhere at the moment, but we still need to see anything from them that actually takes to the air. Aviation history is full of startup companies that promised a lot and never delivered. So I really look at their proposals with a lot of wariness...

Actually Abe Karem was behind the predessors to the Predator UAS and developed A-160 UAS. If the contractor gets no interest from the government to fund development where do the funds come from? Look what happend to Jay Carter. Years of investing his own funds and flying demonstrators. Look at Piasecki too. If the government is not willing to provide any support that will allow small companies to find investors they will never get anywhere and you are stuck with the whims of the larger production companies who are as risk adverse as the government.

My opinion

Don't forget, it's in the major aerospace corporations best interest to prevent such companies from getting funding as well and they let their reps know it.

 

[Trident]

I can see how Karem could claim to be using differential prop for yaw control...not sure how he would address pitch with the tiny tail though....

Cyclic blade control?

 

[OM]

The tail surfaces are disturbingly small.

...Hell, the props make the B-36's look impotent!

 

[AeroFranz]

Cyclic blade control?

Not a bad guess. Weird, though. The V-22 and XV-15 had pretty large horizontals ???

 

[Trident]

I suppose the easiest solution would be to swivel the nacelles to point the thrust vector though, the mechanism is there anyway.

 

[AeroFranz]

I think that the thrust vector passes very close to the longitudinal location of the cg, giving very limited moment arm. I'm still puzzled...

 

[Trident]

Yes, that's a point :-\ Looks like cyclic would be more appropriate for pitch control after all, despite the added complexity (and associated failure modes).

 

[Triton]

Artist's impressions of Karem TR53 AeroTrain.

Source:
http://www.karemaircraft.com/aerotrain.html