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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: G-005-a: tech, lavt
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 22:51:37 -0500
SUBMISSION: TOME: LAVTs
DESIGNER: Todd Montgomery (Quiktek)
E-Mail: tmont@****.wvu.edu

DESCRIPTION: Articles and Information about
Low-Altitude Vectored Thrust Vehicles
for SRII. Basically flying cars. Laws
and such.

Direct article from Magnus BBS of Chicago
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Date: February 23, 2054
Time: 03:23:57 PST

TSCS - Traffic Speed Control System

The UCAS Traffic Speed Control System (TSCS) was put online on
December 18th., 2038. This system, contracted to Fuchi Industries,
controls the traffic lights and speed monitors across a city, or
district. With this advance the need for police monitoring of traffic
speed under the Federal Transportation Act was eliminated. The speed
monitors contain sensors to monitor a vehicles speed and optics to
identify the vehicle by its license plate. Once a vehicle is
identified as exceeding the posted speed and identified by the optical
system, the vehicle is logged in the police records as speeding and a
ticket is sent to the offenders bank and a draft is taken directly
from their account. This system was further upgraded in 2041 by the
addition of a transmitter in all licensed vehicles for the UCAS. This
transmitter which connects to either the autopilot or replaces the
license plate itself, eliminates the need for the speed monitor
optical system. Although some systems still use the optical system to
pinpoint fleeing criminals and the identify stolen cars. This
contract, the largest UCAS civil contract to go to Fuchi, reportedly
has raised City, State, and Federal revenues by 500%. "The system more
than procures enough funds to supplement itself.", said Arthur
Cronner, Assistant Treasurer for the City of New York. Since the
implementation of this system, many other North American nations have
adopted the system as part of their own highway systems.

>>>>[ We are certainly all familiar with the TSCS. But what is not
known very well is the fact that the system is as corrupt as
everything else political. There are a lot of extra fees tacked onto
these tickets and a lot of tickets given to people with multiple
_licensed_ vehicles. Since this is a Federal Highway System (FHS)
component, a collection of what was seperate states Department of
Motor Vehicles departments, all the funds go directly to the Fed.
Nice! The cities or the security agencies that patrol don't get a dime
directly. But they suppliment their incomes by issuing tickets from
security patrols. The system really is low tech. in the
telecommunications department. The system is drone to intrusion and
doesn't really put up much of a fight. For unlicensed vehicles, this
system is the great loophole. Anyone with a little skill can dump a
fake ID connection to their license and make some poor fool take the
money draft. When these system spot an unregistered vehicle, they log
the vehicle and a report is sent to the local FHS department and
another report is sent to the regional security agency. Needless to
say with all the Go-Gang activity, these systems log a LOT of
unregistered vehicles. The only things to worry about are the systems
with optics. They log a scan of all unregistered vehicles and the
vehicle is marked stolen. Fortunately, the optical systems are very
few now because of their expense. But they still do pose a threat to
the rigger community. Although very slight. ]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:22:47/02-23-54>

Some new forms of Vehicles:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

An Excert from the WorldNet NewsFAX, February 23, 2054; 03:23:43 PST

Ford, Saab, and Mitsubishi Release LAVTs for Public Use

LAVTs,Low-Altitude Vector Thrust vehicles, were put on the public
market today all over the UCAS, CAS, and NAN. Ford released its
Aerodyne(tm) series of LAVTs by releasing the Jayhawk. Saab has
released its Ultra'. And Mitsubishi released its Vector and Artemis
models. The first day sales figures are estimated to be 10M, 8M, and
12M for the three manufacturers respectively. In accordance with
Federal Transportation Act, FTA-4563, the LAVT owners are required to
pass federal tests in order to receive their license, as well as,
their vehicles. All three of the manufacturers provide training
classes and practice vehicles for their customers. The price of LAVTs
depends very heavily on the manufacturer and model. But with all
three manufacturers offering 36 to 60 month payment plans with APRs of
12.0% and less, a growing number of upper middle and lower high class
families are thinking of LAVTs as their solution to growing traffic
threats and problems. Several large corporations, Fuchi, Ares, MCT,
etc. , are planning to purchase LAVTs for use by regional executives
and visiting officials. And in accordance with FTA-4564, Ford, Saab,
and Mitsubishi have already provided public security forces [Lone Star
in Seattle areas] with security level LAVTs.

Direct article from Magnus BBS of Chicago
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Date: February 23, 2054
Time: 03:25:46 PST

Low Altitude Vectored Thrust (LAVT) Vehicles

In 2051, UCAS Government and several other governments made provisions
for laws to govern the use of Low Altitude Vectored Thrust vehicles
(LAVTs), STD-17-LAVT001 through STD-17-LAVT298. Such vehicles were
planned to be introduced by three of the major auto. manufacturers by
the year 2055, Ford, Saab, and Mitsubishi. These vehicles were to be
designed for low altitude (less than 150 meters) transports of people
and cargo. The laws passed by UCAS are very stringent with regard to
emmisions, noise level, and economy. So stringent in fact that it was
assumed that most manufacturers would abandon the LAVT concept for a
while. But the researchers pushed on to meet the laws and make
civilian LAVTs a reality to traffic congested metroplexes, like New
York. and LA. The research has paid off, This year (2054) all four
manufacturers plan to introduce their lines of LAVTs. And in accord
with government regulations, security configured LAVTs are to be
distributed to Security agencies that are to enforce the government
regulations.

>>>>[ Back in October of '53, Ford presented the Lone Star Security
Agency with the Ford LAVT Enforcer. This security configured LAVT was
put into active duty by Lone Star on December 28th. 2053. I have also
heard that Saab and Mitsubishi have provided other agencies, Knight
Errant, NYPD Inc., etc. with their own pre-public releases. ]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:27:18/02-23-54>

The propulsion plants used in these craft are very complex for
civilian vehicles. The detailed design varies from manufacturer and
model, but the basic design is taken from the Rolls Royce Pegasus IIIc
Micro-Turbofan used in some racing "Rocket Cars". This engine uses a
basic Turbine design, but the intakes use a special compression system
to compress the air as it is forced into the combustion chamber. This
system can produce incredible amounts of thrust than would be expected
from an engine the size of a V12 block. The Pegasus IIIc was just the
start though. The economy and noise of these engines would have to be
adjusted to the point were they were feasible for public use.
Currently, patents are held by all three LAVT manufacturers for their
specific engine improvements. Generally the support systems, Noise
Reduction, Emmissions Control, and Control Service Control, are
slightly more complex than would be found onboard commercial jet
aircraft. These power plants were also required to provide electricity
to the LAVT electric systems.

>>>>[ The Rolls Pegasus IIIc is a great engine. The compression is its
real selling point. And since it is patented tens ways to Sunday, it
is one of a kind. The way that the thrust is channeled to the
different thrust controllers is pretty T-Bird like in function. But
the amount of thrust being channeled is a lot less than any
T-Bird.]<<<<
--Cooper<03:26:14/02-23-54>

The laws that govern LVTs are below.

LAVTs must follow the same roadways as land craft. But at altitude
levels between 20 meters and 150 meters. Speed of LAVTs are not to
exceed limits determined by zone descriptions. Speeds are to be
enforced with specially modified TSCS systems.

Zone Desciption Max Speed (by law)
1 Suburban Areas 140
2 Buidlings < 100m 110
3 Buildings > 100m 90

No LAVT shall exceed the 150 meter ceiling. If a craft does so then it
will be considered an aircraft and MUST contact air traffic control or
be considered unidentified and be under investigation.

It is permissable for a craft to request permission from air traffic
control to exceed 150 meters. But a flight plan must be filed on-line
and the craft must thereafter conform to all air traffic regulations.

In accordance with STD-17-LAVT003, all commercial LAVTs are to have
three modes of operation, Hover Vehicle (HV), Wheeled Vehicle (WV),
and Low Altitiude Vector Thrust Vehicle (LAVT). HV Mode conforms to
STD-06-HOVER015, the standard in use for Hovercraft vehicles
worldwide. WV Mode conforms to STD-03-WHEELED027, the new
international standard for Wheeled Vehicles. LAVT Mode must conform to
the standards below:
* LAVT Mode is illegal under altitudes of 4 meters from earth ground
unless government provisions have been made.
* LAVT Mode must conform to STD-10-HELI248 and STD-10-HELI249 which
determine location for Helicopter class vehicle to land and takeoff.
* Ceilings of 1000 meters are to be minimum for LAVT mode. And 5000
meters are to be maximum for 1st. generation LAVTs.
* Autopilots of civilian rating 3 are REQUIRED on all LAVTs. The
autopilot, in addition to performing its usual duties, will not allow
the the above standards to be broken.

All LAVTs must be capable of attaining an altitude of 5 meters in
HV Mode at 60 kph for use in engaging LAVT mode.

WV and HV Mode must be propelled by the propulsion system at a level
that is not harmfull to pedestrians.

>>>>[ The HV mode was the hardest to meet. WV mode was fairly easy to
engineer. Use the turbine at idle, connect up a small set of electric
generators. Power the wheels by electric. Same technigue used in some
early planes to generate onboard electric. HV mode was different. The
feds made the restrictions so that the LAVTs had to be able to operate
in traffic with a hover mode. I have heard that Saab pulled it off by
using a very sophisticated combination of micro control thrust ports
that are used ONLY for HV mode. The main force to get the thing in the
air is still the same power plant, but the level of thrust output is
supposedly safe. ]<<<<
--Cooper<03:29:39/02-23-54>

LAVT Takeoff and Landing Procedures

LAVTs may use Helicopter Pads of Class M or better.

Under the UCAS LAVT Transportation laws STD-17-LAVT049, LAVTs are
limited to ground use until regional governments pass local laws to
control LAVT takeoff and landing constraints. It is the local
governments responsibility to use the set aside government funding for
LAVTs to determine local laws governing LAVT takeoff and landing.

In Seattle: As well as Los Angeles and parts of Chicago. In NAN Territory
this is a national standard.

LAVT takeoff ramps are to be constructed on major highways. These
ramps will be in their own special lanes and will have these
dimensions:
Length of Rise: greater than 100 meters
Heighth of Rise: greater than 5 meters
Length of Level Top Platform: greater than 50 meters
Width of Ramp: greater than 4 meters
Length of Descending Ramp: greater than 100 meters
Basic Shape: /------\
/ Ramp \
__Road Level_ / \___Road Level__

Each ramp will have a small communications system which LAVTs must
contact before takeoff and landing. This ensures that no two LAVTs are
to use the ramp at the same time. This control is to be done directly
by the autopilot which will not allow the LAVT to perform a
disasterous action.

These LAVT ramps are to assist LAVTs in gaining the required altitude
for activation of the Vector Thrust engines. LAVTs can activate the
engine upon entering the ramp section. A Speed of 60 kph must be
attained before the Level Top Platform of the ramp is reached. It is
here that the vehicle may fully engage the vector thrust engine and
lift off in a VSTOL manner. From there the LAVT must reach 20 meters.
Vehicles may land on the Level Top Platform of the ramp in either VTOL
or VSTOL manners and use the descending ramp to join with traffic in
either HV or WV modes.

Until these ramps are constructed, LAVTs may use fast lanes to attain
speeds of greater than 60 kph so that an altitude of 5 meters may be
reached. Upon reaching this altitude an LAVT must engage LAVT mode and
proceed to 20 meters. After the ramps are constructed, LAVTs must use
them for attaining LAVT mode.

In New York: As well as parts of Chicago. Japan has adopted this as a
national standard. And in Downtown Seattle and other congested areas.

LAVT Pads are to be constructed. These pads which may be placed in
parking lots, top of buildings, or placed with special permission.
Pads are to be of no less than 40 feet in diameter and provide limited
communications to LAVTs Autopilots requesting Landing/Takeoff
clearance. The LAVT autopilots will disallow any Landing/Takeoff
which puts the LAVT in danger of collision.

LAVT Pads are to allow LAVTs in HV or WV Mode to join traffic.

LAVTs require a separate governmental license to operate.
LAVT skill is another concentration under Vectored Thrust Skill.

>>>>[ What a confusing bunch of drek. Basically it boils down to is
that LAVTs can operate like cars and hovercraft in traffic. And can
only takeoff or land in specific places and ways. I assume that the
Hover Mode is much better handled than regular hovercraft. If it
wasn't then how did it make it to being legal to use in traffic. And
don't forget that these things can get up to 5 meters in altitude at
60 kph in Hover Mode. This is a minimum by LAW! In order to get an
LAVT license, a person must go through a lot of classes and testing.
Right know the LAVT manufacturers are making these classes required
before purchase of an LAVTs may be finalized. With the prices of this
1st. generation batch being upwards of 300KY, the likelihood of our
skies becoming filled with LAVTs is small. Supposedly the UCAS is
supplying up to 1.5 Billion Nuyen for LAVT support. With Japan
supplying almost twice that for its cities. It seems to me that both
governments want to make LAVTs usable by the public in a hurry. ]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:43:30/02-23-54>

>>>>[ Hey Dandy Eater, I am gonna make a term link so that what I says
will be legible to ya non-Cajun terms. ]<<<<
--Mickey<03:45:13/02-23-54>

***** Terminal Link Established
>>>>[ LAVTs are pretty sweet. I love them! I used to run a T-Bird in
the CAS Territory. All a LAVT is is a scaled down T-Bird with
civillian control systems. ... Well, add in a few other niceties and
your really close... I am in the middle of swinging a Saab deal right
now. Don't belive all the hype about autopilots and laws. I know of a
buddy who "confiscated" a NYPD Inc. LAVT and has done some minor mods
to disable all the autopilot overides and the altitude governers. It
may not make the security people happy when a rigger blasts on the
Vector engine in traffic, but it sure do make the perfect getting away
vehicle. Without the governers, the LAVT will be able to VTOL from
anywhere. Just remember that the VTOL takeoff capability still burns a
drek load of fuel. ]<<<<
--Mickey<03:45:57/02-23-54>

For pictures of the LAVTs below, check out CP2020 Chromebook II. The
Jayhawk is very similar to the Aerocop and the Vector is the Mach-5.

Price of Fuel: 1D6*30Y/liter, or 30Y to 180Y per liter.

Ford AeroDyne (tm) Jayhawk
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Price: $400,000
Handling: 4 (LAVT)/ 4/8 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Speed: 140/300 (LAVT): 30/90 (WV): 40/120 (HV)
B/A: 2/0
Signature: 2 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 3 (HV)
Autopilot: 3

Seating: Twin bucket seats + bench
Access: 2 standard
Economy: 1 km per liter
Fuel: IC/120 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars, Anti-Theft System (3)
Landing/Takeoff Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Availability: 24/18 dys
Street Index: 4

Mitsubishi Vector
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Price: $600,000
Handling: 3 (LAVT)/ 4/10 (WV)/ 3 (HV)
Speed: 160/320 (LAVT): 30/90 (WV): 60/180 (HV)
B/A: 2/0
Signature: 2 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Autopilot: 4

Seating: Twin bucket seats
Access: 2 Gull Wing
Economy: 0.8 km per liter
Fuel: IC/160 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars, Anti-Theft System (4)
Landing/Takeoff Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Availability: 26/20 dys
Street Index: 4

Ford LAVT Enforcer
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very similar in appearance to the Ford Jayhawk.
This Security LAVT fills a needed role in Helicopter support and
riot control. Currently in use by Lone Star, NYPD Inc, and Knight
Errant, these LAVTs will become even more prominent in the future.

Price: $800,000
Handling: 4 (LAVT)/ 4/10 (WV)/ 3(HV)
Speed: 160/320 (LAVT): 30/90 (WV): 60/180 (HV)
B/A: 2/3
Signature: 3 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Autopilot: 3

Seating: Twin bucket seats + bench
Access: 2 standard
Economy: 0.8 km per liter
Fuel: IC/250 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars, Anti-Theft System (4)
1 Firmpoint (Front), Remote Control Gear,
Rigger Control Gear
Landing/Takeoff Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Armaments: Grenade Launcher or Missile Launcher
Some have sacrificed trunk space for ammo ben
of front mounted LMG.

Sensors: Security I (4)
ECM/ECCM: None/Security I (1)
Availability: NA
Street Index: NA


____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> Veteran of the Bermuda Triangle
\/ Finger for PGP 2.3a Public Key <=> Expeditionary Force -- 1993-1951
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(GEEK CODE 1.0.1) GSS d- -p+(---) c++(++++) l++ u++ e+/* m++(*)@ s-/++
n-(---) h+(*) f+ g+ w++ t++ r++ y+(*)

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