Plane Driven PD-1
| PD-1 | |
|---|---|
| Prototype PD-1 in 2010 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Roadable aircraft |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Plane Driven, Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft |
| Designer | Trey Johnson |
| Status | In development |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 2010 |
| First flight | July 21, 2010 |
| Developed from | Glasair Sportsman 2+2 |
The Plane Driven PD-1 is a modification to the Glasair Sportsman 2+2 to convert it into a practical roadable aircraft. The approach is novel in that it uses a mostly stock aircraft with a modified landing gear "pod" that carries a separate engine for road propulsion.
The PD-1's wings fold along its sides, and the main landing gear and road engine pod slide aft along special rails, creating a driving configuration. The driving configuration compensates for the rearward center of gravity created by the folded wings, and provides additional stability for road travel.