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Moller Skycar
The Moller
M400 Skycar is in fact a flying car and it is the first vertical
takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle in the world. It is much faster
than a light aircraft and can achieve speeds up to 375 mph.
Moller Skycar |
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The Moller
M400 Skycar flying automobile can reach this speed while achieving
20 miles per gallon on ethanol fuel and a range of 750 miles. As
well as flying, the Moller Skycar is perfectly comfortable on the
ground driving from A to B (although most likely not on highways).
Driving the
Skycar is easy. All you need to do is move the directional controls
and a computer does the rest. However, because of the avionics capabilities,
you still need a pilot's license in order to drive the flying car.
The Moller Flying Car is designed to be able to hold four passengers,
however plans are underway to create a six person model as well
as a one person version.
Do not worry
about storage space for the Moller Skycar as the model is designed
to be able to fit inside a single car garage. Moller is hoping to
get the flying car FAA power lift certified in the near future as
well.
The technology
of the flying car consists of an airframe which is designed to be
lightweight and it is made from composite fiber reinforced plastic
that can take the weight of four passengers.
The engine
was designed to be similar to that used by the Harrier jump jet.
Moller International has decided to use eight small rotary engines
inside the flying car providing all the power.
Because the
Moller Skycar is equipped with eight engines, if one fails then
there are still seven engines working that will afford for continuation
of flight and a safe landing There are also redundant computer systems
at work should the main one fail or crash.
The fuel system
is equipped with monitoring systems that will warn the pilot / driver
of when the fuel is running low. The flying car also comes with
automatic stabilization should wind speeds change. The rotary engines
also have few moving parts meaning less wear and tear compared to
most plane or car engines.
One of the
most flexible aspects of the Moller flying car is that it can use
almost any fuel from natural gas to ethanol to diesel. This means
if you travel worldwide then you can always refuel with whatever
is available in your given location.
The Moller
Skycar would be ideal as a response vehicle to be used like an air
ambulance or search and rescue vehicle. The flying car is also equipped
with dual parachutes that are attached to the vehicle's front and
rear airframe. These will guide the vehicle to the ground should
an accident occur.
Limited numbers
of the Moller Skycars are already becoming available. The FAA is
expected to certify the vehicle no later than December 31, 2008
and afterwards the flying car is headed towards the commercial marketplace.
There are already
one hundred reservations and down payments on the M400 Skycar. The
sky car, right now, is expected to cost around $500,000 although
this may change as more models are produced. Model kits are already
available as well as other flying car merchandise in anticipation
of the commercialization of this unique flying car.
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