Moller International, which has been developing flying cars for over 30 years, will begin production of the Skycar M200. This vehicle is designed to fly at about 10 feet off the ground, and is powered by 8 rotary engines.
Inventor, Dr. Paul Moller, is calling it the âultimate off-road vehicleâ because âyou can speed over rocks, swampland, fences, or log infested waterways with ease because youâre not limited by the surface.â Moller goes on to say: âthe electronics keep the craft stabilized at no more than 10 feet altitude, which places the craft within ground effect where extra lift is obtained from operating near the ground...
This lets you glide over terrain at 50 mph that would stop most other vehicles.â
Imagine never having to deal with wet or snowy roads, pot holes or damaging the habitat. Pretty neat idea if Moller can pull it off. Early adapters can expect to shell out about $90K for the privilege of looking down at other motorists.
Full story and video here.
Imagine never having to deal with wet or snowy roads, pot holes or damaging the habitat. Pretty neat idea if Moller can pull it off. Early adapters can expect to shell out about $90K for the privilege of looking down at other motorists.
Full story and video here.
actualsize says:
08:04 AM, 07/23/07
That is so cool!
And it reminds me of the early days of ESPN - when they didn't have enough sports to fill 24 hrs. They used to show hovercraft races that were staged on golf courses.
Sign me up. Oh, wait. $90k? Never mind.
firstwagon says:
10:25 AM, 07/23/07
8 rotary engines????
I know how much gas one rotary engine can burn. 8 running at full power to keep this thing up will suck an enormous amount of fuel.
Neat toy but little use.
The noise of 8 engines and their fans would be earsplitting too (I'd guess that's why the video uses a music soundtrack instead of the actual audio)
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:19 AM, 07/24/07
Yes, I would have liked to hear what the prototype actually sounds like, and imagine it's extremely noisy (possibly similar to 8 small Ritter Wind machines at full blast).
There will be a lot of issues to be solved (parking? space between aircars when flying? Effects on surrounding vehicles? Insurance? ).
ateixeira says:
01:10 PM, 07/24/07
For less than the cost of the latest Audi sports car you could fly OVER your neighbor's R10, though. LOL
cptnmike says:
05:49 PM, 10/16/07
Re the credibility of the “Sky Car”: I visited the factory recently in Davis CA and spoke to the “engineers” and Dr. Moller regarding when to expect the M400 Sky Car. I received only evasive responses to my questions. So, DONT HOLD YOUR BREATH. You’ll not likely see the M400 flying as advertised in our lifetime. As to my authority to make such pronouncements: I have a degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT, am a graduate of the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River MD, and have over 22,000 hrs, flying jet aircraft. So if you believe the hype about the M400, then Ive got some great swamp land in Florida I’d like to sell you.