Will This Copter Car Fly?

By Gregory Mone Posted 01.04.2008 at 1:25 pm 3 Comments

The PAL-V, or personal air and land vehicle, would drive like a car, take off like a plane, and fly like a gyrocopter. Drawn up by a Dutch firm called Spark Design Engineering, the PAL-V would feature a foldaway rotor and propeller, and a 213-horsepower engine that runs on regular.

But don't get ready to make a down payment just yet. The designers are still waiting for the funding to build a prototype, but they say it would be easy for the average driver to handle, and would fall under the FAA's sport pilot certification category, which means potential owners wouldn't need endless hours of training to operate it legally.

IEEE Spectrum, which reviews the design in a recent issue, suggests that this flying trike, which first turned up a few years, may not get off the ground.—Gregory Mone

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3 Comments

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popsci

01/04/08 at 5:14 pm

First off it is a trike with the single wheel in front. And a skinny trike at that. Remember trike ATVs? There is a reason they were banned. They tip over, especially when braking and turning.

Next, the artist concept doesn't show power to the main rotor. How is this to go? Electric motor? They're heavy. Added weight is bad for a bird.

What wings for take-off? The things by the propeller? in 50 feet? You will need one helluva headwind.

Speaking of propellers, can you imagine your average American on the road or in the parking lot with one of these? "Oops, er, sorry about that. I meant to put it in reverse. Maybe the hospital can reattach it. I'd give you a lift, but only have room for one in here."

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popsci

01/05/08 at 6:46 am

Read the article again. This is a gyrocopter, which by definition means the main rotor is not powered, but freewheeling. It simply provides lift while a rear-end pusher prop would provide thrust. You are correct about the wheels, this would not be good as a ground vehicle, but they should suffice for taxiing purposes.

I have lusted for an ultralight gyrocopter for several years. These things can fly with less than a quarter of this 200+ hp beast.

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SU-47

02/03/08 at 3:34 pm

my dream come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!