1950s - Aviation, Experimental: Hiller Model 1031-A-1 (?) Flying Platform Tested

1950s - Aviation, Experimental: Hiller Model 1031-A-1 (?) Flying Platform Tested MS USN / ONR Flying platform parked on land, test pilot Philip T. Johnston approaches & climbs onto framework; man removes small metal ladder. 08:21:22 Three men hold ropes at sides, another holds rope to pulley from tower(s) w/ harness as platform slowly lifts & moves forward, stops & hovers; moves back & forth two or three feet off ground. 08:22:09 Closer shot, platform rises to five or six feet & backs, then descends & lands. 08:22:33 Reporter w/ microphone approaches & says: “This is quite a machine you have here; I suppose you’ve come as close as anyone to operating a flying carpet. How does it feel? Well, it feels fine & the nice thing about it is its very easy to fly. What do you think is the truly revolutionary characteristic of this machine? Well, I mentioned earlier it is so easy to fly; we do it by shifting our weight, is the way we control the aircraft. 08:22:57 By that you mean you don’t have any mechanical controls as we normally think of them in an airplane, as a stick & a rudder? No, we have a throttle that all aircraft have, but we control it by shifting our weight & using our feet, etc. That’s about all. I see, and how long have you been flying this machine, Phil? OhI have about three and a half hours on it at the present time. And I understand the machine uses the principle of a ducted fan; what do you think of that principle & do think it has future possibilities? Well as you can see we’re having pretty good success w/ it right now & we think it can be utilized by large aircraft also. You believe that machines that carry more than one person can use the ducted fan principle? We believe that, and I think we can prove it. I see. 08:23:43 Test pilot on platform puts on helmet, another man starts two motors w/ pull cord; pilot flies without protective / safety guide ropes. Lands. 1950s; Science Fiction; VTOL; Test Flight; Oddities; Flying Saucers; NOTE: Hiller model 1031-A-1 on display at Smithsonian was advanced model of 1031; construction was completed by Sep54 & tested in tether flight. It was adapted w/ improved transmission to maintain control in case of one of the two engines failing.