At least two flying car models are likely to start flying in low level airspace in 2020.
US-based, China-owned company Terrafugia is reported to have begun taking orders for its Transition flying car, with the first handover to customers taking place in 2020. Transition features a combined internal combustion engine and a LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate chemistry) battery. As an automotive vehicle and a light sport aircraft, the Transition is built for both aviation and automotive safety to comply with Federal Aviation Administration and National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration standards. Dynon is providing the EFIS (Electrical Flight Information Systems) and BRS is providing a full frame parachute system to the project.
Meanwhile on 12 November 2018 the PAL-V from the Netherlands will be launched to customers in the Gulf, at an opening ceremony at the Dutch Embassy in Kuwait. PAL-V is finalizing its last steps of pre-production certification: compliance demonstration. According to Mike Stekelenburg, PAL-V’s Chief Engineer: “We deliberately chose to design, engineer and manufacture our flying car with proven instead of immature technologies, complying with existing road and air regulations (EASA and FAA). This approach focuses on safety and enables a realistic and imminent product delivery date. The company planning for full certification in 2020 when the PAL-V will hand over the keys of the PAL-V Liberty to the first customers. “In the meantime, PAL-V’s pioneer clients are building experience at flying schools around the globe in preparation for deliveries,” according to the company.
(Image: the Terrafugia Transition)
