Moller M400 Skycar: Difference between revisions
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Moller International demonstrated a series of successful, stable tethered hover flights from 2001-2003 with their M400 prototype "Skycar". Additional flight tests will be conducted once Moller engineers have completed the upgrades to the Skycar's nacelles with the larger engines (projected for 2007). The improved prototype has been named the "M400x". |
Moller International demonstrated a series of successful, stable tethered hover flights from 2001-2003 with their M400 prototype "Skycar". Additional flight tests will be conducted once Moller engineers have completed the upgrades to the Skycar's nacelles with the larger engines (projected for 2007). The improved prototype has been named the "M400x". |
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This M400x is intended to transport four people (another version, the M600, is designed for 6 passengers). It is described as a Sky'''car''' as the design of the craft complies with the Department of Transportation requirements as a street legal vehicle and will be driven up to 35mph to and from local heliports, vertiports and airports. The first certified version of the |
This M400x is intended to transport four people (another version, the M600, is designed for 6 passengers). It is described as a Sky'''car''' as the design of the craft complies with the Department of Transportation requirements as a street legal vehicle and will be driven up to 35mph to and from local heliports, vertiports and airports. The first certified version of the M400x craft will be flown by a pilot with advanced FAA flight certifications, but in later versions, the flight controls are expected to be completely computer automated such that a passenger will only input destination and no pilot expertise will be required. |
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By using eight inexpensive Wankel rotary engines, the price may eventually fall close to that of a quality car, though the first units available are expected to cost close to $1 million USD. |
By using eight inexpensive Wankel rotary engines, the price may eventually fall close to that of a quality car, though the first units available are expected to cost close to $1 million USD. |
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Revision as of 20:25, 30 October 2006
The Moller Skycar is a prototype personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft — a "flying car" — called a "volantor" by its inventor Paul Moller, who has been attempting to develop such vehicles for many years.[1]
Description
Moller International demonstrated a series of successful, stable tethered hover flights from 2001-2003 with their M400 prototype "Skycar". Additional flight tests will be conducted once Moller engineers have completed the upgrades to the Skycar's nacelles with the larger engines (projected for 2007). The improved prototype has been named the "M400x".
This M400x is intended to transport four people (another version, the M600, is designed for 6 passengers). It is described as a Skycar as the design of the craft complies with the Department of Transportation requirements as a street legal vehicle and will be driven up to 35mph to and from local heliports, vertiports and airports. The first certified version of the M400x craft will be flown by a pilot with advanced FAA flight certifications, but in later versions, the flight controls are expected to be completely computer automated such that a passenger will only input destination and no pilot expertise will be required.
By using eight inexpensive Wankel rotary engines, the price may eventually fall close to that of a quality car, though the first units available are expected to cost close to $1 million USD.
The M400x proposed features include 275 mph (442 km/h) cruise speed, 375 mph (603 km/h) maximum speed, eight redundant, low-emission Wankel engines for safety, residential garage size, fuel consumption comparable to a family car, an emergency parachute for the entire craft and road capable for short distances (to be driven to a vertiport). Although current plans call for use of alcohol fuel, cheap, lightweight fuel, such as liquid hydrogen, could be used as an alternative to gasoline, as in the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE, although the lower energy density will limit range.
In 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission settled a civil case (Securities And Exchange Commission v. Moller International, Inc., and Paul S. Moller, Defendants) in connection with the sale of unregistered stock, and for making unsubstantiated claims about the performance of the Skycar. Moller settled this lawsuit by agreeing to a permanent injunction and paying $50,000.
Over $200 million USD have gone into the development of the Skycar (consider that the V-22 Osprey has a development cost exceeding $3 billion USD).
Presales
Moller has been taking refundable deposits on the M400 since 2003. Refund conditions include failure to meet rated performance or failure to obtain US FAA flight certification by certain dates.
[2][3]. As of 2nd Q 2006, Moller's projected date for FAA certification of the aircraft is set for December 31, 2008.
In October 2006, Moller attempted to auction its M400 prototype on eBay, with a reserve price of $3.5 million. It failed to sell through there were bids of over $2 million. [4] A previous attempt in 2003 to sell the M400 via eBay was also unsuccessful. [5]
Notes
- ^ A heavier-than-air "powered lift" craft, such as the Moller M400, is technically called an aerodyne.
See also
External links
- Moller International
- Moller International in Korea
- Skycar Africa(Pty)Ltd., the South African agent to Moller International
- A formal claim of fraud against Moller International from the SEC web site
- Moller Discojet brochure from 1974
- Overview of Skycar and transportation
http://downside.com/scams/moller/index.html http://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/comp17987.htm http://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17987.htm http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3475918/