PAL-V
The PAL -V is a three-wheeled flying car. The concept combines the tilting technology for road vehicles the company Carver ( Carver One ) with the flight characteristics of the gyroplane. The first test flight of the prototype took place in March 2012. The vehicle will be delivered to customers from 2015 series. The name of PAL -V is an acronym for Personal Air and Land Vehicle, to German personal air and land vehicle.
Construction
Initial plans for the PAL - V existed before 2004. The concept is based on the designs of the Dutch engineer John Bakker under the corporate umbrella of PAL - V Europe BV.
For operations in the prototype of a pusher propeller of a rotary piston engine of the Swiss manufacturer Mistral is driven, which makes 148 kW (200 hp). The rotor is passively displaced by the wind to rotate and thereby produces the necessary lift. While driving on the ground rotor, drive propeller and tail are collapsed. The engine transmits its power then through a chain drive to the rear wheels on.
The PAL - V is designed as a two-seater and achieved both on the ground and in the air a top speed of 180 km / h For take-offs and landings a slope of up to 200 m long and 30 m wide is required.
By August 2012, the prototype already completed 15 hours of flight time, it was shown that a country range of 1200 km and a flight range of 500 km are realistic. Another prototype is to be completed by 2013, a certification of the PAL - V in accordance with FAR CS to reach 27. According to current plans, the certification should be reached by mid- 2015 and a pre-production are included.
Use
According to the company, the PAL - V both the official rules for vehicles, as well as the requirements of air in accordance with FAR 27, CS satisfies Thus, it can be moved legally on the ground and in the air. For operation in air, a private pilot license (PPL ) with the appropriate type rating is required; at the bottom of a car driver's license is required.
In most European countries -offs and landings for private pilots have so far allowed only on designated airfields. In the long term, the developers hope to a change of individual, so that a flexible exchange of the road in the air is possible. For this, however, a large number of small grid positions are needed, such as parking lots should be located on the roadside itself. Furthermore, they are thinking " highways " to create with the help of satellite navigation in the airspace.
The company is concerned with marketing specifically doctors and other special users. In 2008, the Dutch police announced that she was basically interested in buying 40 PAL -V. The unit price is about 200,000 - amount to 300,000 euros.