Published in Transportation

First flying car goes on show

by on09 July 2018


So now you can have a flying car stop going on about it... still no word on jetpacks

Later this month, the “world's first flying car production model”, the PAL-V Liberty, will take flight at Farnborough International Airshow, on July 16.

The biennial public airshow is a trade exhibition for aerospace and defence industries, and this year it will host the PAL-V Liberty and its aviation debut.

PAL-V Liberty is the name of the futuristic aircraft that resembles the offspring of a car and helicopter, however the Dutch makers of the machine describe it as a gyroplane.

“The PAL-V is not a helicopter. In flying mode the PAL-V is a gyroplane which means its blades are powered by the wind. As long there as is airflow they rotate and act like a continuously open parachute.”

The flying car is getting close to completion, with the company saying it's currently going through the last step of the certification process: compliance demonstration.

"It takes a lot of testing to prove that the PAL-V Liberty complies with the regulations", said Mike Stekelenburg, PAL-V's Chief Engineer, explaining that the design philosophy of using proven technology, rather than those still requiring new regulations “enables a realistic and imminent first product delivery date".

Robert Dingemanse, CEO of PAL-V, stated: "The production model is the moment of truth. The moment where the wall between fiction and facts is torn down” also noting that "Once full certification is granted in 2020 we will hand over the keys of the PAL-V Liberty to our first customers."

And yes, there are already pioneer clients gaining experience at flying schools in preparation for deliveries commencing in 2020.

 

 

Last modified on 09 July 2018
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