From the Founder:

January 2, 2002

Hello & Happy New Year!

I hope this new year finds all is well with you and yours.

Quite a bit has happened over the last six months since I have updated this news page.

I was invited and attended the annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) / World Aviation Congress Conference on Flying Cars and Roadable Aircraft in Seattle, WA. Branko Sarh has hosted this conference for the last 8 years. The conference was scheduled for September 11. That's right… 9-11 ! Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks that very morning forced the cancellation of all activities. I am looking forward to going back in 2002 to finally make our presentation.

Fortunately for us, Jake Schultz invited all of the attendees to a dinner that evening for continued discussions of the future of roadable aircraft. Jake has authored a book on the life and projects of one of the fathers of roadable aircraft, Molt Taylor. The picture shown was taken on the evening of 9-11-2001 at Jake's home (& aviation museum). Pictured attendees from left to right are:
Standing - Palmer Stiles, Branko Sarh, Ron Borovec, Bruce Harman, Jake Schultz and Mike Czajkowski
Sitting - Mr. & Mrs. Paul Moller, and Me (Mitch LaBiche) in front row.

All of the people pictured are contributors and key participants in the continuation of the roadable aircraft movement.

My experiences after the terrorist attacks on 9-11 is yet another example of the need for a vehicle that can fly and drive. After facing the fact that I was stranded in Seattle, I rented a car and started the 2,500 mile drive back to Houston (from Seattle). During this trip I was reminded time and time again of the improved utility of a dual mode vehicle. In this unusual situation, all aircraft were grounded. So airplanes were essentially useless. Only cars were allowed to move. However, on the 2nd day of the 3 day trip, the FAA aircraft grounding was recended and I could have found the nearest airport, converted to an airplane, and traveled home in just a few hours.

Progress continues on the FSC-1. Modifications are being made to the ¼ scale model to allow for internal mechanisms for aerodynamic testing. I hope to have some pictures of the testing to put in the news in the near future. The full scale Prototype #1 is still under construction. I will also have some of those pictures for the web site.

We have received some inquiries and are entertaining the idea of producing T-shirts and hats of the FSC-1 for sale. Email us with your comments or suggestion as to your interest in purchasing one.

Finally, since this is the official site in getting news and information out about the FSC-1, I will try to have updates on a more frequent basis. Thanks for your continued interest and support.
Best Regards,

Mitchell LaBiche

P.S. We are accepting "limited-terms" deposits for initial production slots. Contact us regarding the terms and conditions for this one of a kind opportunity.

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July 31, 2001

Hello,

We had an exciting weekend at EAA Airventure 2001. We were especially excited to make our first public presentation of our project amidst people who have an understanding of the importance of this topic. We would like to thank Ron Borovec for inviting us to attend and make this presentation. Ron has been organizing and hosting the Roadable Aircraft Forum at Oshkosh for the last ten years. In a sample polling of the audience in attendance, the FSC-1 received overwhelming purchasing support over all other existing vehicles and proposed concepts. In an audience consisting primarily of people with their own ideas and projects, it was interesting to find out how enthusiastic they were with the FSC-1 project. Comments such as “You're right on track!” were very common.

LaBiche Aerospace is currently finishing the ¼ scale model for final aerodynamic testing. Information uncovered from this testing will be rolled into the prototype number one vehicle fuselage shape and control systems.

The 4130 steel frame for the vehicle is under construction at the LaBiche Aerospace hanger development facility. All suspension system and wheel components are in house and undergoing preparation for installation.

We are now accepting “limited” non-refundable deposits for initial production slots. Contact us regarding the terms and conditions for this one of a kind opportunity.

Mitchell LaBiche