What you need to know about the First Flying Car of this millennium
Dutch car company PAL-V is considered the first car company to successfully take its flying car off the ground.
The patented vehicle drives like a sports car with its slim, aerodynamic body that can fit 2 passengers. It runs on gasoline and has a foldable push propeller that directs it forward and is lifted off the ground by an auto-rotating rotor. The slow rotation of the rotor provides a quieter experience than helicopters and has short take-off and landing capabilities that allow drivers to land anywhere.
The PAL-V ONE can run at speeds up to 180 km/h, both on land and in the air. It flies below 4,000 feet allowing someone on the go to travel without interference from commercial air traffic. The two-seat car and gyroplane hybrid is set up to comply with existing road and air traffic regulations so it can travel anywhere. It also has a cutting-edge, ‘tilting’ system that glides like a motorcycle.
Another great thing about this flying car is its safety feature. In the event that the engine fails, the PAL-V ONE can safely land on the ground with the help of the auto-rotating rotor. The aircraft engine is flight certified and powered by gasoline. Other versions are also being developed so it can run on biodiesel or bio-ethanol.
In 2014, the PAL-V ONE flew over the Gilze Rijen Airport in the Netherlands, six years after the first prototypes were created. A few notable institutions involved in the project include the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory, Delft University and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. PAL-V was launched by a group of Dutch entrepreneurs and industry leaders specializing in aviation, automotive, research, and marketing.
The company was picked by Maxim Magazine as their top pick for flying cars. PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse is proud to have his company recognized for the work they have done “to create a flying car that actually conforms to existing regulations and is safe to fly.” To drive the flying car, one needs a Sports Pilot License in the US or a Recreational or Private Pilot License in Europe.
With over 135,000 monthly searches on Google, the flying car is not just a concept from a Jetsons episode anymore. Today, so many are eager to know what’s next for the flying car industry and PAL-V has certainly made the first round in realizing this dream.
BBC reported that the company accepted its first batch of orders only from customers in the Netherlands. The first Pal-V One cars, at an estimated price of $395,000, started production in 2014 and set for delivery in 2016.
Today, the company has produced another model called PAL-V LIBERTY, a special limited edition that is set to cost €500,000. The company is said to produce only 90 of this flying car model with 45 reserved for the European market.
—
April is pursues a career in digital marketing where she helps industry leaders increase business through thought leadership. She works with top level executives and business owners to strengthen their personal brand as an expert in their industry thereby opening doors to more partnerships and new business. Add her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.