Flying bicycle takes to the air

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

12 years ago

Journalists watch the remote-controlled Flying Bike with a test dummy during its presentation in Prague on Wednesday. Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that can fly. Controlled remotely, the bike carrying a figurine successfully took off Wednesday inside a large exhibition hall in Prague and landed safely after a five-minute flight.

The remote-controlled Flying Bike with a test dummy is ready for its during presentation fly in Prague on Wednesday. Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that can fly. Controlled remotely, the bike carrying a figurine successfully took off Wednesday inside a large exhibition hall in Prague and landed safely after a five-minute flight.

Two men watch the remote-controlled Flying Bike with a test dummy during its presentation in Prague on Wednesday. Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that can fly. Controlled remotely, the bike carrying a figurine successfully took off Wednesday inside a large exhibition hall in Prague and landed safely after a five-minute flight.

PRAGUE — Is it a bike? Is it a plane?

Three Czech companies have teamed up to make a prototype of an electric bicycle that successfully took off Wednesday inside an exhibition hall in Prague and landed safely after a remote-controlled, five-minute flight.

Looking like a heavy mountain bike, it weighs 95 kilograms (209 pounds). It has two battery-power propellers in the front, two in the back and one each on the sides.

A dummy rode in the saddle.

Milan Duchek, technical director of Duratec, a bicycle frames maker, says more powerful batteries will be needed before a human takes a two-wheeled flight.