Jacques Rautenbach
It’s the staple of countless science fiction comics and movies: a flying car. Just think of Mila Jovovich’s scantily clad body against a backdrop of flying cars in the Fifth Element.
But, to the surprise of many sceptics who thought it a dream fit only for Steven Spielberg and other special effects fundis, a fully functional flying car is being tested and demonstration models should be available in about 18 months.
The craft is called a Skycar, or a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (VTOL), and is being developed by Moller International.
So far the Skycar’s flight has only been tested to 1,2m above ground level and has only flown in a forward direction inside a 400kph wind tunnel, as the company’s liability insurance prohibits flight outside of its property. However, the company is confident that it will have fully functional units available in 18 months for marketing purposes.
The Skycar – which is intended to replace conventional ground travel – looks a bit like the first third of a glider with two fans attached to the sides, making it a relatively small craft in comparison to conventional aircraft.
Like a Harrier Jump jet, the Skycar takes off vertically. It sports two models, a two-seater and a family size four-seater that is designed to whisk you off at more than 560kph, with a fuel consumption of 10km to the litre.
Dr Paul Moller started developing the key technologies in 1961 with the aim of developing an aircraft that could provide practical high-speed personal transportation.
The initial development was hindered by the power restrictions of the engine technology at the time. The company found engines then available had inadequate power-to-weight ratios. In 1983 the company acquired Rotary engine technology and began the development of an air-cooled, high-power engine that resides in an aluminium casing, weighs less than 20kg and produces 65 horse power.
The emphasis on the design is practical easy flight and safety. The Skycar contains eight engines that are independently governed by computers. Unlike conventional small airplanes or light helicopters this translates into incredible safety.
The Skycar incorporates flight redundant, independent computer systems for flight management, stability and control, leaving little control of flight in the hands of the pilot. Only a small interface for directional control is available.
Other safety features include multiple parachutes that are capable of recovering all the passengers and the Skycar itself. In addition, the car is able to make emergency landings almost anywhere due to its ability to land vertically.
The Skycar engines are designed to operate on multiple fuels and are typically configured to run on unleaded petrol, though they have been demonstrated to run on diesel and natural gas.
The cost? Try an initial purchase price of $1-million. Not exactly your affordable family saloon, but Moller International claims that the price could fall to as low $60 000 once it goes into mass production.