Tuesday 11th November 2008

Sky's the Limit...

At last - a flying car for the road?

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Road Sport : who needs a/c?

The company behind a new flying car project has now released plans to create a ‘Road Sport’ model.Wiltshire-based paramotor manufacturer Parajet has come up with a very convincing-looking attempt at a flying car, and has now confirmed a high-performance model will be part of the range.

Parajet's 'Sky Car' has been rumoured for some time, and was featured in the national press over the weekend. In a challenging maiden voyage, the company hopes to complete a 3,700-mile journey by air and land to Timbuktu in Bali early next year.

Once this mammoth journey has been completed the firm is looking to start selling the Road Sport version in 2010. The prototype Sky Car is essentially a Rage off-road buggy, with a Parajet fan bolted onto the back. But what makes this so special is Parajet's use of a foldaway parafoil wing, which uses recent advances in aerodynamic technology and materials to provide control and stability from the flexible structure.

The buggy is powered by a 140bhp bio-ethanol powered engine - a modified version of that found on the Yamaha R1 superbike. This is mated to a CVT (constant variable transmission) automatic gearbox from a snowmobile, and the results are potent. Parajet say that their fully road-legal Sky Car will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds on land, and will run to a maximum speed of approximately 111mph. The Road Sport is expected to be even quicker.

Prototype testing off-road

But long before those sorts of speeds, the road could be forgotten altogether. The Sky Car can take-off at just 35mph, and in a distance of under 200 metres, making it ideal for working from short runways and hostile terrain.

In the air, the buggy is said to be capable of 80mph at altitudes of up to 15,000 feet. It wouldn't even require a pilot's licence, as the craft still counts as a powered-parachute. If the buggy survives its gruelling maiden voyage, production versions could retail from as little as £35,000, but particularly exciting is the suggestion of the high-performance sports version, which is expected to cost around £60,000.

Precious few details have emerged about the 'Road Sport' version, however the computer-generated images on Parajet's website look absolutely spectacular, with a single-piece wraparound body integrating a rollcage, and the huge fan at the back resembling a supercar-style spoiler. Parajet are keeping tight-lipped about the Road Sport until the maiden voyage of the Sky Car is complete, however have hinted that more details will emerge at the launch of the buggy in January.

And if it's even faster than the buggy (as its name suggests), this will be one awesome machine.

Computer image shows radical commute

[dazsmith69]

ill take one

[109 Bob]

Reminds me of this somehow.

[Wammer]

I remember seeing this at the Goodwood festival of speed and i thought it was a hoax until i spoke to the Guys and saw a video. This is an amazing vehicle but i can only see it being used as another extreme sport device.

[Dave Dax builder]

Where we're going we don't need roads......
(Dr Emmet brown)

[dkennedyvxt]

Traffic Jam ahead...no problem.....bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Where do I sign?

[anonymous-user]

So do you need a runway to land? If so I think (even ignoring the complete ridiculous insanity of the rest of this idea) that it would make using one of these a bit tricky.

Imagine a load of yummy-mummies in these things...or the first rep who gets cut-up and indulges in some air-rage...

[CypherP]

That is awesome! I hope it makes the trip, as i'd really love to see these in production.. My only gripe is that although its been stated there is no need for a pilots license, what is going to happen when there are a few thousand of these flying about the place, on course with numerous helicopters, small engined planes very busy roads below.

I can't imagine trying to take off from a motorway in rush hour just to get to work a bit quicker.. Although parking on the roof would be pretty cool...

[WorAl]

JimSuperSix said:

So do you need a runway to land? If so I think (even ignoring the complete ridiculous insanity of the rest of this idea) that it would make using one of these a bit tricky.

Imagine a load of yummy-mummies in these things...or the first rep who gets cut-up and indulges in some air-rage...

A microlite only need 10m to take off, so i doubt a runway is needed.

Fantastic, I want I want I want.....gimme gimme gimme....

[Beefmeister]

Being an engineer, all my head is telling me is that surely there must be the ability to have a fold-out wing arrangement, so its like a hangglider when opened?

Should take too much to do, could be all manually done, and would surely be more stable than an aerofoil above it like in the images?

[Simian24]

http://www.moller.com/skycar.htm

[anonymous-user]

Simian24 said:

http://www.moller.com/skycar.htm

He's been 'developing' that for donkeys years. Never got anywhere with it (other than the video clips of it hovering attached with safety ropes to a crane). This looks like more of a feasible idea - at least it will be a damn site more affordable.

[eddie1980]

Beefmeister said:

Being an engineer, all my head is telling me is that surely there must be the ability to have a fold-out wing arrangement, so its like a hangglider when opened?

Should take too much to do, could be all manually done, and would surely be more stable than an aerofoil above it like in the images?

Yes, but then its a fixed wing so you need a licence, and it probably wont live with engine failure as well.

[John_S4x4]

I think that this is great. 140Bhp with 500Kg weight approx is 280Bhp per ton, which will plenty nippy. I reckon they could easily fit a 180bhp bike engine in the back of the next generation car.

Have a look here http://www.skycarexpedition.com/next_generation.ph...

This is there next version of the car with bodywork. Looks alot less like a buggy, quite a nice effort, like a cartoon Vector WX.

I hope there expedition goes well, and they don't have too many problems, flying over the desert.

[Roland.R]

Great way to deal with idiot pedestrians who walk behind you as they watch you reverse!

[annodomini2]

Be interested to see how they got the engine flight approved.

[LeBrun]

I think that's absolutely awesome! A hell of a technological achievement if you ask me!

[R4PID]

I love the idea. It's great but we're along way from seeing them owned and used by you and I for practical everyday purposes. Far too many variables to make it a viable alternative to the regular road car. No policing, weather conditions, limiting the range of where it can travel and how high etc etc. These are all hurdles that can be overcome but not without a forward thinking, radical government on side which we just don't have.

[southgate]

Thats absolutely bonkers, and i love it!

If they can make it fly safely and work out the legislation, I would definately consider one.

Can't imagine you could go up to 15,000ft with no license! Must need some training to stop you going into a helicopter or light plane?!?

[german tony]

It's flying to Mali, not Bali but aside from that I want 1. Now please.

[southgate]

Insurance?

"I'd like you to quote me happy for my flying car"