Moller International (fka MLER)

[j5mith]

A note regarding test flying -- Supposedly the safety line was *also* required because with the configuration of these vehicles at the time, a single engine failure would cause either vehicle to invert instantly.

This makes perfect sense with the M400 prototype, which only had four engines at the time (one at each corner). I'm sure this (along with power limitations/lack of availability of two rotor engines) is why the M400 was never flown manned.

The issue isn't quite so clear cut with the saucer, but then again it was also flying with what was probably a much more primitive control system. So a single engine failure would still have been pretty hairy.