Orders taken for worlds first "plausible" flying car

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Pal-V, a two-seat hybrid car and gyrocopter, was recently voted the 'most likely to become a reality' - and today the firm behind it finally opened preorders for the vehicle priced at $400 K
https://www.pal-v.com/en/

'After years of hard work, beating the technical and qualification challenges, our team succeeded in creating an innovative flying car that complies with existing safety standards, determined by regulatory bodies around the world,' RobertDingemanse, CEO of PAL-V announced.

Following the successful test programs of their concept vehicles in 2009 and 2012, PAL-V started designing the commercial products that were launched today.

'While other flying car manufacturers' concepts require modified regulations and in many cases not yet existing technologies, PAL-V deliberately chose to engineer, design and build a flying car with proven technologies and fully compliant with existing regulations,' the firm said.

'This leads to a first product delivery date that is realistic and imminent.'

'Later in 2017 we will start building a preproduction series followed by the manufacturing of the first PAL-VLiberty's for our early 'pioneer' clients.

Deliveries of road and air certificated models are scheduled by the end of 2018.

While driving, the lowered suspension and tilting 'cockpit' adds to the sports car feel, the firm says.

The two-seater vehicle converts from a three-wheeled motorcycle to a gyrocopter in 10 minutes.

It has 230hp, four-cylinder engine and reaches speeds of up 112 mph in the air or on the road.

The Pal-V One features a 230hp, four-cylinder engine powered by petrol.

Its 27 gallon tank means pilots can fly for up to 220 miles at low altitudes - around 4,000ft - or drive for up 750 miles.

It is made of carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,500lbs.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/world’s-first-production-road-and-air-legal-flying-car-sale-prices-specs-pictures

 

[qubit]

So it's a foldable helicopter, just like a foldable bicycle. Yawn.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

i am struggling to see the similarity

 

[P4-630]

It's the future man!!!

Seeing myself groceries shopping with this copter vehicle

 

[qubit]

Caps, just realized that there could be a little potential problem with it: the big fat UK number plate stuck on the front all flat and sticking into the airflow as per the law isn't gonna help with the aerodynamics lol. I suspect they're gonna have a special one made though, all nice and curved and flush fitting.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Caps, just realized that there could be a little potential problem with it: the big fat UK number plate stuck on the front all flat and sticking into the airflow as per the law isn't gonna help with the aerodynamics lol. I suspect they're gonna have a special one made though, all nice and curved and flush fitting.

if its classed as a bike it wont need a front number plate.

 

[qubit]

if its classed as a bike it wont need a front number plate.

A flying bike, lol. That's a real stretch. It's really just a personal helicopter that can drive.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

It's effectively a gyrocopter aircraft with two engines. Its Rotax engine-based dual propulsion drivetrain includes one engine for driving and one for flying, with an unpowered large rotor on top that provides lift, while an engine-powered blade on the rear of the vehicle gives thrust.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Lmao, as IF they're going to allow the public who can barely drive cars without hitting anything, drive a vehicle that can fly. Maybe if you have a full pilots license, and the insurance to go with it, but i doubt it very much, it's a health and safety nightmare.

 

[dorsetknob]

if its classed as a bike it wont need a front number plate.

Then its not a Flying Car its a flying trike/motercycle

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

reading the links in post 1 will help..................

 

[dorsetknob]

For Texans does it come with an accessory pack

Spoiler: had to ask

 

[jboydgolfer]

they dont even allow Amazon to use Drones in the US,

For Texans does it come with an accessory pack

no but it comes with decals for Texans

 

[Liviu Cojocaru]

This is a cool thing but I don't think it will be sold in more than a couple of units, the world is not prepared for this yet

 

[Evo85]

Until somebody dies in it(and they will) and the company is sued and bankrupted.

Just because something is cool, doesn't make it a good idea.

 

[GhostRyder]

It looks cool, wonder how long it can fly and how easy it is to switch to fly mode. Though no matter what, so far I still see one major issue with any flying car. The main issue is I imagine myself flying around in the vehicle, then I see a red light appear on the dash that says "Check Engine". Then I am a smoldering crater in the ground.

 

[alucasa]

This thing + cellphone = a disaster waiting to happen

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Transfer the nightmare on the roads with all the idiots, to the air with the same idiots crowding the skys in flying vehicles. It would be like the nazi blitz all over again.

 

[qubit]

This thing + cellphone = a disaster waiting to happen

Yeah, good point. Or just imagine: there are enough useless drivers out there now who are a menace on the road, so imagine these buggers in the air!

One thing I can see happening are people's heads getting chopped off by the rotor blades due to said dumbass drivers.

 

[SaltyFish]

Yeah, good point. Or just imagine: there are enough useless drivers out there now who are a menace on the road, so imagine these buggers in the air!

One thing I can see happening are people's heads getting chopped off by the rotor blades due to said dumbass drivers.

I think the novelty of decapitating will wear out to the point where the old-fashioned tradition of simply running over people would be more popular over time if only because it provides a similar thrill with significantly less effort required (victims dropping prone or supine really puts a hamper on your decapitating spree).

My longtime concern with flying cars is them blotting out the sky like a swarm of locusts as drivers swerve all over avoiding traditional 2D traffic limitations. Can you imagine Shanghai, Mumbai, New York, London, etc. with several million flying cars all over?

 

[R0H1T]

This thing + cellphone = a disaster waiting to happen

Let's try that again
Investigators Claim Exploding iPhone 6s Caused Egypt Airline Flight MS804 To Crash Killing 66

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

If any one thinks that this means flying for the masses then they are wrong. The "thing" costs 400 K add in the cost of a private pilots licence and a suitable landing pad at your home and the costs alone become prohibitive.

 

[R0H1T]

If any one thinks that this means flying for the masses then they are wrong. The "thing" costs 400 K add in the cost of a private pilots licence and a suitable landing pad at your home and the costs alone become prohibitive.

Uber (f)lite™

 

[alucasa]

People will make cheaper copies.

Like, get a bike, two badgers in SLI, cheap plastic helicopter blades, and off you go.