The Personal Air and Land Vehicle or PAL-V One can be configured as a three-wheeled automobile or flying gyrocopter (Click Image To Enlarge)
Flying Car Makes Successful Maiden Flight
In early April 2012, the Dutch company PAL-V Europe NV announced that it had successfully concluded test flights of its flying car, PAL-V One or Personal Air and land Vehicle. Two weeks prior to the announcement, several test flights were conducted at the Gilze Rijen Airport (The Netherlands). The PAL-V One flies in the air like a gyrocopter with lift generated by an auto-rotating rotor and forward speed produced by a foldable push propeller on the back. On the road it drives like a sports car. No new infrastructure is required because it uses existing roads and airstrips.
PAL-V One during its maiden flight (Click Images To Enlarge)
This unique PAL-V One marks the beginning of a new era in flying automobiles. The first deliveries of the commercial version are expected in 2014.
Video below.
About The PAL-V One
The PAL-V ONE is a two seat hybrid car and gyroplane: a personal air and land vehicle. What makes the PAL-V ONE attractive is the convenience of fully integrated door-to-door transportation.
On the ground this slim, aerodynamic, 3-wheeled vehicle has the comfort of a car with the agility of a motorcycle thanks to its patented, cutting-edge, ‘tilting’ system. It can be driven to the nearest airfield and take off just like any other airplane. The single rotor and propeller are unfolded to make the PAL-V ONE ready to fly.
PAL-V One during its maiden flight (Click Images To Enlarge)
When airborne, the PAL-V usually flies below 4,000 feet (1,200 m), the airspace available for uncontrolled Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic; so there will be no interference from commercial air traffic. Furthermore, the PAL-V is powered by a very robust, flight certified aircraft engine. It runs on gasoline. It can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h (112 mph) both on land and in the air.
The PAL-V ONE has a very short take off and landing capability, making it possible to land practically anywhere. When not using controlled airspace, you can take off without filing a flight plan. Flying a PAL-V is like a standard gyrocopter. It is quieter than helicopters due to the slower rotation of the main rotor. It takes off and lands with low speed, cannot stall, and is very easy to control. The gyroplane technology means that it can be steered and landed safely even if the engine fails, because the rotor keeps auto rotating.
The PAL-V One Experience
On the road, the PAL-V ONE accelerates like a sports car. The razor sharp cornering makes you feel like you are skiing elegantly and effortlessly down a beautiful mountain. When flying, the PAL-V is very safe and easy to handle, opening up new dimensions of the personal freedom you have always wanted to experience. Fly-drive to an island, soar over that traffic jam, sail above water, create your own virtual bridge, cross that mountain range as freely as a bird. Go wherever you want to go whenever you feel like it and… fully enjoy the new experiences your PAL-V ONE offers!
Transformation From Airplane To Automobile
Converting the PAL-V ONE from airplane to automobile is a very easy process which takes about 10 minutes. Once the engine stops, the propeller folds itself automatically into the driving position. Pushing a button then lowers the rotor mast into the horizontal position. The same motion lowers the tail. The outer blades are folded over the inner blades via hinge mechanisms. The last steps in the process are to push the tail into its driving position and secure the rotor blades. This conversion can be executed by the driver/pilot after just a short training lesson. To convert from driving to flying mode, simply reverse the sequence.
Styling and Design
The distinctive look of the PAL-V is the result of an uncompromising design approach that integrates both aerodynamic and stylistic requirements. It is dynamic without being overbearing and delivers elegance rather than extravagance. The result is a timeless exterior that maintains excellent aerodynamics. What the driver/pilot sees, hears, and feels is all in harmony. The reward is total involvement: a level of engagement and experience that truly stimulates the senses.
PAL-V DVC Tilting Technology
The PAL-V drives using the patented DVC™ tilting technologies invented for the Carver ONE (a two-passenger land vehicle). Watch movie: “carver driving”
Steer it like a car and it banks like a motorcycle. It sounds deceptively simple, and it truly is! At the heart of the PAL-V lies the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system which automatically adjusts the tilt angle of the vehicle to its speed and acceleration, enabling a plane-like ’tilting while cornering’ performance.
The driver’s input via steering torque is distributed between the front wheel steering angle and the vehicle tilting angle. This distribution is automatically adjusted to varying speeds and road conditions to ensure an optimal balance at all times. At lower speeds, the steering torque is directed to the front wheel angle and the passenger compartment remains upright. At higher speeds the steering torque is mainly directed to the tilt angle of the cockpit.
The genius of the DVC™ technology is in its simplicity: essentially a mechanical-hydraulic system. It relies on proven technology resulting in a reliable responsive, and above all, extremely safe steering system.
With the PAL-V ONE, tilting in corners becomes second nature.
Technical Specifications
Click Image To Enlarge
Pricing
Not Available Yet
COMMENTARY: PAL-V Europe NV was started in 2001 by Ir Robert Dingemanse co-founder and CEO to design a roadable aircraft. It evaluated many potential technologies and created numerous concepts in cooperation with well-known research institutes and universities. The most important breakthrough was the maturing of the DVC tilting technology in 2005. This brought into reach the design of a real flying car instead of a roadable aircraft. This technology allowed for safe driving without compromises while having a high centre of gravity and a narrow aerodynamic shape necessary for flying. The first real “flying car” concept was born!
Having designed and patented their findings and concepts, PAL-V Europe NV hired a team of very skilled engineers with automotive, aviation and motorcycle backgrounds and started the engineering of its proof-of-concept prototypes. World-class partners were selected and contracted for several system elements. This led to the first flight of PAL-V’s proof-of-concept prototype in 2012.
Since then the company entered the next phase of development, engineering the first commercial version, optimizing the design, and starting up production. This will result in the market launch of the first model: the PAL-V ONE: the first, exclusive, limited, historic edition in its line-up of flying car models. The next chapter in the history of mobility is being written, by PAL-V, today!
A team of top engineers has been working on the first prototypes since finalization of the design concept in 2008. Renowned institutes such as the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory and Delft University have also been involved in the development. The driving prototype was fully tested in 2009 and now the flying-driving prototype has made its first flights. The PAL-V complies with existing regulations in all major markets, which means that the vehicle is allowed both in road traffic and in the air. Robert Dingemanse, CEO and co-founder of PAL-V commented:
“We are very proud to announce this successful maiden flight of the PAL-V and we now invite investors to create the future with us. We know there is a lot of interest for the PAL-V. Prior to announcing these test flights, we were already approached on a daily basis by potential customers and dealers wanting to be part of this exciting project.”
A PAL-V offers the choice of flying like a plane or driving like a car. This means fast door-to-door mobility for private individuals as well as professionals and organizations. The flying range will be between 350 (220 miles) and 500 km (315 miles), depending on the type, pay load and wind conditions. Driving, a PAL-V will have a range of about 1200 km (750 miles). It runs on gasoline like a conventional car and there will also be versions that use biodiesel or bio-ethanol. It can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h (110 miles/h) both on land and in the air.
On the ground the slim, aerodynamic, 3-wheeled vehicle combines the comfort of a car with the agility of a motorcycle thanks to its patented, cutting-edge, ‘tilting’ system. Driving, a PAL-V accelerates like a sports car and drives through curves like a motorcycle.Flying, a PAL-V is like a standard gyrocopter. It is quieter than helicopters due to the slower rotation of the main rotor. It takes off and lands with low speed, cannot stall, and is very easy to control. This makes a PAL-V one of the safest types of aircraft. Obtaining a licence requires only 20 to 30 hours of training.Thanks to its very short take off and landing capability, it is possible to land a PAL-V practically anywhere. For take-off, a strip of 165 meters (540 feet) is enough and it can be either paved or grass. Governments are already preparing for increasing traffic with Personal Air Vehicles like the PAL-V. In the United States and in Europe government-funded development programs are determining the infrastructure of ‘digital freeways’ to provide a safe corridor using GPS technology. The technology is available today to allow personal air traffic to grow safely. PAL-V Europe N.V. is determined to play a leading role in this market.
Courtesy of various press releases issued by PAL-V Europe NV
keep me posted!
Posted by: Paul Kelly | 11/11/2012 at 03:54 PM
Cool! If I win the lotto I'm in!
Posted by: Gerard | 08/19/2012 at 01:21 AM