Moller International reveals details of its latest flying cars
Baku, February 22 (AZERTAC). US outfit Moller International has completed the initial design phase for two new flying "Skycars" -- lightweight one- and two-man vehicles -- that are hoped will not require a full pilot`s license to fly.
"The Skycar`s design incorporates multiple redundancies and safety features and its Flight Control System (FCS) virtually eliminates the complexities of flying," the design team states, "ensuring that even a novice operator can master the skills needed to maintain precise control over the aircraft."
Moller International made the headlines in October 2002 when it unveiled the M400, a four-man vehicle that designer Paul Moller hoped would be used for short commutes. What set the vehicle apart was its super-lean engine and its ability to take off vertically. Now this design has been followed by two smaller aircraft called the 100 LS and 200 LS.
The 100 LS weighs 363kg and will travel at a cruise speed of 431km/h at 10,000ft. It will reach a "parachute safe height" in 10s while the larger 200 LS takes 11.3s. This craft`s fuel consumption is 7.4 gallons per hour and the craft will have a range of 434 miles (698km) when carrying two passengers.
But while Moller has created a working prototype of the M400, it`s only ever hovered above the ground and has yet to go into production. Could this be the case for the smaller vehicles as well? Bruce Calkins, the company`s General Manager, told Wired.co.uk that it`s all down to money: "The initial design phase is complete, however detailed design could require an additional nine to 12 months."
Beyond this, Moller is planning to build full-scale working prototypes, but, admits Calkins, this is dependent on finances. He says: "The timing for these next steps is dependent upon the company having sufficient funds for these efforts and while the Company anticipates that funds will be available, we cannot accurately predict the schedule or the priority that the company will put on this project at this time."
So it`s back to trains and automobiles for a while then.
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