SKYVECHILE
The Moller Sky car is a prototype personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing)aircraft — a "flying car" — called a "Volantor" by its inventor Paul Moller, who has been attempting to develop such vehicles for forty years. The design calls for four ducted fans encasing the propellers, which prevents bystanders from being exposed to moving blades as well as improving aerodynamic efficiency at low speeds.
The craft said to be currently under development, the M400, is purported to ultimately transport four people; single-seat up to six-seat variations are also planned. It is described as a car since it is aimed at being a popular means of transport for anyone who can drive, incorporating automated flight controls. It is proposed that in a model for the general public, the driver may only input direction and speed. Piloting knowledge would be unnecessary; however, training will be required.
Further, developers claim that by using eight inexpensive Wankel rotary engines - compared to jet engines, the vehicle's price may eventually fall close to that of a luxury car ($100,000). The fuel consumption is claimed to be 20 miles per gallon— similar to that of a big car— but this has been calculated as unrealistic. According to the developers, operation of a Sky car will produce as much noise as traffic on a nearby freeway when taking off, and this will only last for a few seconds, because it climbs so quickly.
The Sky car demonstrated limited tethered flight capability in 2003 by hovering only. Scheduled tethered flight tests, which were to occur in mid-2006, were apparently canceled. Moller upgraded the Sky car’s engines in 2007, and the improved prototype is now called the "M400X". According to a 2008 article in the media, a prototype is supposed to be flying in 2012, with certified versions "a few years later".
Moller International's website claims that only $100 Million has been spent in R & D at Moller International,
The company is also developing a more advanced model called M600, with an intended capacity for 6 passengers or a payload of about 2000 lbs (900 kg).
No comments:
Post a Comment