"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles)
08/08/2014 at 15:15 • Filed to: planelopnik, flying car, motorcycle, tips
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"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles)
08/08/2014 at 15:15 • Filed to: planelopnik, flying car, motorcycle, tips | 2
| 8 |
The utopian dream of a flying car is basically a sham. Its an unrealistic goal that will never happen for many reasons, but the good news it that the closest chance yet to turn wheels into wings might be "Two Wheels Flying." Or in this case " Three Wheels Flying."
The Dutch company PAL-V Europe NV has been developing the gyrocopter/motorcycle mashup for a few years now, and has finally put the product for sale hoping to deliver customer orders in 2015. What makes the PAL-V One's chances of success are that it fits nicely into international standards for both air and land. Plus, utilizing only 3 wheels for road use allows it to operate under less stringent standards because it only needs to meet motorcycle regulations for road use, which don't require the same extensive crash testing and costly safety equipment as automobiles.
The PAL-V doesn't take off vertically like a helicopter, but uses the rear facing propellor for forward thrust and the free spinning rotor blade provides the lift required to leave the ground. In flight mode, the PAL-V becomes an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which designs date back to the 1920's. Requiring only 540 feet to get airborne, the craft is intended to fly in visual conditions and will require a sport pilot license.
In less than 10 minutes the transition to motorcycle is complete. Mechanical-hydraulic suspension allows the driver to lean into turns eliminating the deadly "Reliant Robin Effect." Patented tilting technology invented for the Carver, which you might remember being featured on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , is used to create this fantastic lean as you swoop through corners.
The buzz of flying cars comes and goes with the likes of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! before that, but it seems the paradigm might be shifting in favor of our lane splitting brethren.
Images from PAL-V Europe NV
PelicanHazard
> Chris Clarke
08/08/2014 at 15:26 |
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If this makes production, how long until some dumbass decides to try and takeoff on the commute home and causes inordinate amounts of damage?
Cé hé sin
> Chris Clarke
08/08/2014 at 15:26 |
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Oh, a trike ( a thing quite likely to kill you) that converts itself into an autogyro (another thing quite likely to kill you). What could possibly go wrong?
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Chris Clarke
> Cé hé sin
08/08/2014 at 15:38 |
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Who cares! I'm flying!
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Chris Clarke
> PelicanHazard
08/08/2014 at 15:38 |
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damage? maybe. Inordinate? probably not.
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PelicanHazard
> Cé hé sin
08/08/2014 at 15:43 |
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Autogyros are actually pretty safe. The giant rotor is unpowered, severely limits max speed, and guarantees safe autorotation down to the ground in case of any failure not affecting the rotor. You don't really plummet to the ground in an autogyro emergency as much as come down harder than normal.
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Cé hé sin
> PelicanHazard
08/08/2014 at 15:49 |
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They have their moments though if you believe this
ttyymmnn
> Chris Clarke
08/08/2014 at 19:46 |
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That prop retraction is sick . One step closer to Helicopter Cavalry!
Atlantian
> ttyymmnn
08/09/2014 at 21:21 |
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They look like really easy and soft targets for modern day anti-air artillery, though.