Aerocar International 's Aerocar (often called the Taylor Aerocar ) is an American roadable aircraft designed and built by Moulton Taylor in Longview, Washington in 1949. Although six examples were made, it never entered large-scale production. It is considered one of the first practical flying cars .
39-512: Taylor began designing a roadable aircraft in 1946. During a trip to Delaware, he met inventor Robert E. Fulton, Jr., who had designed an earlier roadable airplane, the Airphibian , with detachable wings. Taylor's prototype, the Aerocar, utilized folding wings that allowed the road vehicle to be converted into flight mode in five minutes by one person. When the rear license plate was flipped up,
78-451: A user-fee association , this allowed the airport to continue as a port of entry, and removed the need for a Customs officer to travel from Portland International Airport. The airport handled 259,263 flights in 2008, surpassing Portland International in this category. In 2009, the airport received a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand taxiways as part of the airport's master plan. President Barack Obama landed at
117-456: A 6,600-foot (2,000 m) runway (Rwy 13R/31L), a 3,820-foot (1,160 m) runway (rwy 2/20), a 3,600-foot (1,100 m) runway (rwy 13L/31R), and an FAA control tower. Runway 13R/31L is ILS - and PAPI -equipped. The air traffic control tower, a 48 feet 10 inches (14.88 m) standard Type O design (by I. M. Pei , pentagonal steel tower with pentagonal aluminum cab), is staffed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. The tower receives
156-415: A deal with Ling-Temco-Vought for serial production provided he could obtain 500 orders. When he was able to obtain only half that number, production plans ended. Only six examples were built. One is still flying as of 2008, and Taylor rebuilt another into the only Aerocar III. There are four Aerocar Is, one Aerocar II, and one Aerocar I that was rebuilt as Aerocar III. N4994P (1949, originally N31214 )
195-476: A radar feed from the Falls City ARSR to supplement radio communication and binoculars to locate aircraft in its airspace. The small main terminal includes two rental car companies, airport offices, and a waiting area for the passengers flying on the daily Intel charter flights. There is also a single-officer-staffed U.S. Customs and Border Protection office to process international flights. Previously,
234-418: A roadable vehicle by a conversion process that left aircraft sections behind during road use. The process consisted of removing a three-bladed propeller and placing it on a hook on the side of the fuselage, cranking down support casters, and disengaging lock levers connecting the flight unit to the road unit. The wing and aft fuselage are detached for road use. In the mid-1990s, one of the surviving Airphibians
273-640: Is a corporate, general aviation and flight-training airport serving the city of Hillsboro , in Washington County , Oregon , United States . It is one of three airports in the Portland, Oregon , metropolitan area owned and operated by the Port of Portland . Established in 1928, it is Oregon's second busiest airport (in terms of total aircraft operations) at over 200,000 operations annually. HIO covers 900 acres (360 ha) and has three runways. Located in
312-513: Is also a hub for many major local corporations, including Nike , Teufel Nursery , and Intel. The predominant activity at the airport is flight training, accounting for more than half of the overall operations. It was formerly the base of operation for the Life Flight Network, the medical evacuation provider for the region. Operated by Oregon Health & Science University , Legacy Health System , and Providence Health System ,
351-621: Is connected to the metropolitan area by TriMet buses and the MAX Blue and Red lines' Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station . The transit station is located to the south of the airport, across the Westside Commons (formerly the Washington County Fairgrounds). The primary public access point, including to the terminal building, is from Cornell Road , on the south side of the airport. Facilities include
390-679: Is featured flying overhead on the cover on the book "A Drive In the Clouds" by Jake Schultz. In December 2011, N101D was being offered for sale at an asking price of USD1.25 million. N102D (1960) is yellow and green. The last Aerocar built and the only one still flying, it is owned by Ed Sweeney and is on display at the Kissimmee Air Museum located at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida. N102D
429-484: Is powered by a 140 hp Lycoming O-320 . The trailer wheels for the wings in towed configuration are deployable from a compartment on the outside of each wing's leading edge. The propeller driveshaft contains fine ball bearings that swing outward with centrifugal force, creating stiffness and damping. The four retractable wheels are extended for takeoff and landing, partly retracted for road travel, and fully retracted in flight. Taylor attracted some interest from Ford in
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#1732781135800468-487: Is red with silver wings. It began as one of the original Aerocars, which Taylor bought back from a customer when it was damaged in an accident on the ground in the 1960s. Taylor rebuilt it as the Aerocar III, replacing the original cabin with a sleeker, more streamlined front-wheel drive version (although it still "fell far short" of the sporty lines Taylor wanted to give it ). The automotive unit weighs 1,100 lbs and
507-789: Is yellow with silver wings. It was the very first Aerocar and is on display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is maintained in flying condition but is not flown. N101D (1954) is owned by Greg Herrick's Yellowstone Aviation Inc. It is maintained in flying condition and is on display at the Golden Wings Flying Museum located on the south west side of the Anoka County-Blaine Airport in Minneapolis. This aircraft
546-512: The Aerocar 2000 . N103D (1956) has been repainted to red/black with red wings. It has been owned by Carl Felling and Marilyn Stine of Grand Junction, Colorado since 1981. It once flew Fidel Castro 's brother, Raúl Castro , in Cuba . The aircraft was damaged after landing on a rural road when a startled horse ran in front of the wing. A temporary fix was made using a flattened five-gallon can, and
585-467: The Columbus Day Storm of 1962 without damage after its evening traffic reporting flight. W. John Jacob was piloting the aircraft at that particular time and should be credited with the successful landing during extreme wind conditions (perhaps more than 100 mph), but Ruth Wikander, who was in the aircraft to assist him, received the acclaim. Ruth Wikander was an active member of the 99's,
624-664: The South Pole was displayed at the airport. With the outbreak of World War II in 1941, the city received federal money again, and the city approved local financing to improve the airport again, with the costs of the improvements totaling around $ 600,000. During and after flooding along the Columbia River in 1948, the Hillsboro facility was used by some commercial operators due to the closure of then Portland-Columbia Airport (now Portland International), which lies along
663-403: The Aerocar III, but no production resulted. The single prototype is displayed at Seattle's Museum of Flight with the registration N100D . Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62 General characteristics Performance Airphibian The Fulton FA-2 Airphibian is an American roadable aircraft manufactured in 1946. Designed by Robert Edison Fulton Jr. , it
702-511: The Aerocar during traffic-watch transmissions). Several pilots provided the AIRWATCH service beginning with World War II veteran pilot Guilford Wikander, President of Wik's Air Service, Inc. Guilford was followed in order by his sister Ruth Wikander, W. John Jacob, Wayne Nutsch and Alan Maris. Scotty Wright reports Nutsch having 350 flying hours in N103D performing AIRWATCH duty. Traffic reporting
741-547: The Hillsboro Airport to relieve pressure on the busy Portland International Airport. This was during a time when the Port of Portland was discussing building a new larger airport or possibly adding a third runway to PDX to handle growing demand for air travel and air cargo. Saltzman suggested shifting some commercial flights to Hillsboro, while shifting some cargo flights there had previously been discussed. As of 2006,
780-507: The International Organization of Women Pilots. In 1962 Ruth Wikander drove the Aerocar as an automobile while trailering the wings in the annual Portland Rose Festival parade. The Aerocar was an integral part of KISN Radio along with photos of famous rock musicians and KISN DJ's of the times. Last flown in 1977, the aircraft is no longer airworthy and has been in storage ever since. It is currently listed for sale for
819-418: The Port of Portland planned to spend $ 134 million through 2025 to improve the Hillsboro facility. Plans call for a third runway, increased hangar space, and additional automobile parking on-site, among other items. Construction on the third runway was to begin as early as 2010, but legal challenges put the plan on hold. In 2007, a staffed customs office was added to the airport. Paid for by funds generated by
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#1732781135800858-404: The aircraft made it to Boston without incident, for more comprehensive repairs From 1961 to 1963 the Aerocar was operated under contract between Star Stations (Don Burden) and Wik's Air Service, Inc. It was used as a traffic-watch (AIRWATCH) aircraft for KISN (910AM) radio station in Portland, Oregon where it was flown by "Scotty Wright" (Scotty Wright was the alias used by the acting pilot of
897-634: The airport in Marine One in February 2011 as part of a visit to nearby Intel. The Port spent $ 9 million to repave the 2/20 runway and combined two taxiways into a single one in 2013. Construction started on the third runway in June 2014. Nike founder Phil Knight built a personal hangar at the airport next to the Nike hangar in 2014, while Global Aviation added a new hangar that same year. The third runway
936-417: The back of the car so it did not have to be removed when the Aerocar went on the road. Aerocars could drive up to 60 miles per hour and had a top airspeed of 110 miles per hour. An early-1950s "Industry on Parade" film shows Taylor driving and piloting his Aerocar, as well as footage of manufacture. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) granted the Aerocar civil certification in 1956, and Taylor reached
975-436: The building was the home of KUIK -AM radio station and a restaurant on the top floor. The airport was originally Hillsboro's municipal airport, which the Port of Portland bought in 1966. It has been developed to support all forms of general aviation and is home to four fixed-base operator (FBOs). Many people, including celebrities, politicians and sports-stars choose to use Hillsboro for its ease and discreetness. The airport
1014-481: The north-central area of Hillsboro, and west of Portland, it hosts the annual Oregon International Air Show . The airport includes a Federal Aviation Administration control tower, three paved runways, hangars, fueling facilities, and a small passenger terminal. Hillsboro Airport is also a port of entry , with a single-person U.S. Customs and Border Protection office. Hillsboro airport goes back to 1928. Dr. Elmer H. Smith purchased 100 acres (40 ha) of land near
1053-413: The operator could connect the propeller shaft and attach a pusher propeller . The same engine drove the front wheels through a three-speed manual transmission. When operated as an aircraft, the road transmission was left in neutral (though backing up during taxiing was possible by the using the reverse gear). On the road, the wings and tail unit were towed behind the vehicle. Taylor also put the propeller on
1092-559: The price of US$ 2.2 million. N107D (1966) is an Aerocar Aero-Plane , or Aerocar II. It is not a roadable aircraft but is based on the original Aerocar design. It uses the wing and tail section from the Aerocar. It seats four and is powered by a 150 hp IO-320 Lycoming engine. Only a single example was built. As of 2006, it was located in Colorado Springs, Colorado owned by Ed Sweeney, the owner of N102D. The sixth Aerocar ( N4345F ), Moulton Taylor's final flying car effort,
1131-543: The river. The three commercial carriers at Hillsboro were Coastal Airways, Columbia Air Cargo, and General Air Cargo. This was the flooding that wiped out the city of Vanport , and due to that disaster relief supplies were flown into the Portland area by the United States Air Force using the Hillsboro Airport. The field was also considered as a possible naval air station in 1946 and again in 1955, but
1170-405: The town to use as an airport, as he owned the first airplane in town. In the early 1930s, after Smith died, the city purchased the airport for $ 7,500 and received a federal grant to improve the facilities. They built two runways, one 3,000 feet (910 m) long and the other 2,800 feet (850 m). In July 1936, Richard Evelyn Byrd 's "Stars And Stripes" Fairchild FC-2 aircraft used to explore
1209-419: Was added to allow international business flights at the airport after lobbying by Congressman Les AuCoin and business leaders. After advance notice, customs inspectors from Portland would be sent to the airport to process the passengers. Hillsboro Airport is often mentioned as a reliever airport for Portland International Airport . In 1999, Portland City Council member Dan Saltzman suggested expanding
Aerocar - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-578: Was an aluminum -bodied car, built with independent suspension, aircraft-sized wheels, and a six- cylinder 165 hp engine. The fabric wings were easily attached to the fuselage , converting the car into a plane. Four prototypes were built. In December 1950, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) (later to become the FAA ) certified one of the prototypes and gave it an 1A11 Aircraft Specification, N74104. Lou Achitoff,
1287-478: Was eventually built, opening in April 2015. On July 3, 2017 a man climbed a perimeter fence near Hillsboro Aero Academy and attempted to steal a Robinson R22 helicopter. After a brief chase with police he was fatally shot. As of July 2024, Intel Air Shuttle operates corporate flights to San Jose and Phoenix from Hillsboro Airport. Located in Portland's western and Washington County suburbs, Hillsboro Airport
1326-592: Was eventually rejected by the Navy. In early 1960 several companies were located at the airport, including Tektron Instruments and Georgia Pacific . In 1964, the Hillsboro City Council made an official request to the Port of Portland to take over ownership of the airport. The facility had deteriorated due to inadequate funding, and the Port agreed to take over ownership after some legal wrangling in 1965. On August 28, 1966, an air traffic control tower
1365-479: Was from 7:00 AM–8:30 AM and 4:30 PM–6:00 PM. During the Aerocar's AIRWATCH missions, it was painted white with red hearts and had the letters KISN on the top and bottom of the wings. The aircraft was equipped with an emergency police/fire receiver for use in reporting emergency events on KISN radio stations broadcast. When flown for KISN it was based at Wik's Air Service, Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro Oregon. On one of its more eventful flights for KISN it survived
1404-592: Was opened after construction costs of $ 400,000 with staffing by the FAA. In April 1975 the current main terminal that includes offices and a restaurant opened, followed by the opening of the new 6,300-foot (1,900 m) runway on September 1, 1976. The airport received scheduled regular airline service during the late 1970s, on Farwest Airlines to Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, as well as to Medford and North Bend/Coos Bay airports. In 1989, customs call out service
1443-1039: Was restored by Fulton III, along with David Dumas and Deborah Hanson. Later, it was put on display for several years at the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa , Ontario , Canada in their main display hall, but in 2009 it moved to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (annex of the National Air and Space Museum ). Since 2022 it has been on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum General characteristics Performance Hillsboro Airport Hillsboro Airport ( IATA : HIO , ICAO : KHIO ), also known as Portland–Hillsboro Airport ,
1482-542: Was the CAA test pilot. The N74154 is the aircraft that is today in the main building of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, having previously been on display in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center . The craft made its debut in November 1946 at Danbury, Connecticut . Financial concerns forced Fulton to sell to a company that never developed it. The Airphibian took the approach of converting from an aircraft to
1521-580: Was the only Aerocar built with the larger O-360 Lycoming powerplant giving it much better performance. It is the only road legal and driven Aerocar left. It is currently flown by the owner's son Sean Sweeney. It was previously owned by actor Bob Cummings , who used it in his TV sitcom The New Bob Cummings Show . It also appeared on the TV show James May's Big Ideas on BBC2 , aired in September 2008. Inspired by this vehicle, Ed Sweeney began development of
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