Progress on Starcar 4 985512

This paper records progress on design and construction of a roadable airplane called Starcar 4. Starcar 4 is intended to be simple, with one seat, two wing panels, three wheels, and a gross weight of 1200 lbs. The wing panels are removed by hand and hung on the sides for road travel. The core of the structure is a 4130 steel tube frame, covered by a composite aeroshell. The propulsion system is based on a modified Subaru motor and four wheel drive transaxle, which drives a pusher propeller in place of a rear axle. The project has been underway since late 1996 and was first published at the 1997 World Aviation Congress. Engineering design is now well advanced, a wood frame mockup has been built, and the chassis is under construction for delivery at the end of 1998. Road tests will take place in 1999, and the aeroshell and wings should be completed in the year 2000.