PAL-V Flying Car Makes Successful Maiden Flight
Riding on the heels of April 1, better known as April Fool’s Day, it’s harder than steel to believe that the PAL-V Flying Car is more than an elaborate hoax, but against our better judgement it seems like it might be real.
Based on the detail-rich site and video footage, we’re reluctantly ready to say that the outlandish three-wheel helicopter-mobile you see above might actually be more than a joke. Still, don’t expect a first drive or review any time soon. The PAL-V Flying Car functions as both a road vehicle and a helicopter which would make licensing complicated and ownership difficult.
Few people would possess the qualifications to use such a thing (we say thing because it’s not really a car).
Still, the Dutch company seems committed to both selling its product and authorizing customers to use it. The site has section that puts customers in touch with flight schools. In a press release it also claims that licensing to fly only takes about 20 to 30 hours.
Pricing isn’t available yet, but if there’s any truth to any of this it seems the U.S. government is already preparing for increased air traffic from vehicles like this.
A single passenger vehicle, the flying car can reach top speeds of around 110 mph on land and in the air, with a flying range of about 220 to 315 miles depending on wind conditions.
On the ground it’s said to drive — and accelerate, like a sports car thanks to its three-wheel setup and leaning capability that make it feel like a car-motorcycle hybrid.
Watch the video footage of its maiden flight below.
Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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A couple thoughts. One, where is the added technology to prevent air trafficcollisions, and I wonder what the cost of that alone would be? And two, if the thing needs a 'running' start to take off, what happens if you unexpectedly run intoground traffic? Do youor some computer(cost?) give you the proper distance to take off given wind and weather factors before you can safely leave the road before plowing into the car that is ahead of you? LMAO.. think it will be sometime before this is allowed for public use!Oh, AND WHERE IS THE BALLISTIC PARACHUTE(S) FOR THIS THING??!!!
The people that think this would have all kinds of problems taking off and need a parachute don't have a very good understanding of how well gyrocopters work and this looks like it gets air born at very low speeds and lands the same way. I think it is great the only drawback I see are cost and all the new laws radical liberals will enact to take all the fun and convenience out of it all in the name of safety. It's what they do best. I would love to have one if I could. Its nice to dream.