Moller Skycar VTOL

JaceTheAce · January 31st, 2003, 11:50

Check this out on eBay. They are finally selling it. Mr. Moller, the guy that developed this aircraft is a good friend/mentor of my neighbor...developed and tested right here in Sacramento.

Moller Skycar

Doug, what do you think of these?

davetheflyer · January 31st, 2003, 13:08

I saw these in Popular Mechanics a couple of years back. At a half mil it's still a little pricy.

sxauer · January 31st, 2003, 15:43

hmm....its not an airplane, and its not a rotorcraft, so what kind of licence would you need to fly this?

darrenf · January 31st, 2003, 16:19

This thing has appeared in Popular Mechanics since the early 70's. Sure is taking long enough to get it flying and produced, can't be very fuel efficient. I guess this will be the next thing on TV after the commercials slamming SUVS have run their course.

JaceTheAce · January 31st, 2003, 16:52

[ QUOTE ]
hmm....its not an airplane, and its not a rotorcraft, so what kind of licence would you need to fly this?

[/ QUOTE ]

Answer to your question taken from the Moller website:

<font color="orange"> 4.21. Will I need a license to pilot an M400 Skycar?
Currently the Skycar is categorized as a "powered-lift normal" aircraft by the FAA. This means that, yes, you will require a "powered-lift normal" category pilot's license to operate a Skycar. However, it is our intention that the volantor will eventually evolve into a completely automated form of transportation making you a passenger - not a pilot/driver. At that point, no pilot's license would be required.

</font>

JaceTheAce · January 31st, 2003, 16:55

[ QUOTE ]
This thing has appeared in Popular Mechanics since the early 70's. Sure is taking long enough to get it flying and produced, can't be very fuel efficient. I guess this will be the next thing on TV after the commercials slamming SUVS have run their course.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about it not being fuel efficient, if everything the website says is true, it gets somewhat good gas mileage:

Passengers: 4
Top speed @ 20,000 ft: 380 mph
Cruise speed @ 29,000 ft (80% Max Range): 300 mph
Cruise speed @ 29,000 ft (Max Range): 210 mph
Cruise speed @ Sea Level (Max Range): 140 mph
Maximum rate of climb: 5500 fpm
Maximum range: 900 miles
Net payload: 750 lbs
Fuel consumption: 28 mpg
Operational ceiling: 29,000 ft
Gross weight: 2400 lbs
Installed engine power: 645 hp
Power boost (emergency): 70%
Dimensions (LxWxH): 19.5' x 8.5' x 7.5'
Takeoff and landing area: 35 ft dia
Noise level at 500 ft: 65 dba (Goal)
Vertical takeoff and landing: yes
Uses automotive gas: yes
Emergency parachutes: yes

January 31st, 2003, 11:50	#1
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,236	Moller Skycar VTOL Check this out on eBay. They are finally selling it. Mr. Moller, the guy that developed this aircraft is a good friend/mentor of my neighbor...developed and tested right here in Sacramento. Moller Skycar Doug, what do you think of these?

January 31st, 2003, 13:08	#2
davetheflyer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: KATL, Georgia, Tennessee Posts: 1,016	Re: Moller Skycar VTOL I saw these in Popular Mechanics a couple of years back. At a half mil it's still a little pricy.

January 31st, 2003, 15:43	#3
sxauer Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 124	Re: Moller Skycar VTOL hmm....its not an airplane, and its not a rotorcraft, so what kind of licence would you need to fly this?

January 31st, 2003, 16:19	#4
darrenf Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 3,348	Re: Moller Skycar VTOL This thing has appeared in Popular Mechanics since the early 70's. Sure is taking long enough to get it flying and produced, can't be very fuel efficient. I guess this will be the next thing on TV after the commercials slamming SUVS have run their course.

January 31st, 2003, 16:52	#5
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,236	Re: Moller Skycar VTOL [ QUOTE ] hmm....its not an airplane, and its not a rotorcraft, so what kind of licence would you need to fly this? [/ QUOTE ] Answer to your question taken from the Moller website: <font color="orange"> 4.21. Will I need a license to pilot an M400 Skycar? Currently the Skycar is categorized as a "powered-lift normal" aircraft by the FAA. This means that, yes, you will require a "powered-lift normal" category pilot's license to operate a Skycar. However, it is our intention that the volantor will eventually evolve into a completely automated form of transportation making you a passenger - not a pilot/driver. At that point, no pilot's license would be required. </font>

January 31st, 2003, 16:55	#6
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,236	Re: Moller Skycar VTOL [ QUOTE ] This thing has appeared in Popular Mechanics since the early 70's. Sure is taking long enough to get it flying and produced, can't be very fuel efficient. I guess this will be the next thing on TV after the commercials slamming SUVS have run their course. [/ QUOTE ] I don't know about it not being fuel efficient, if everything the website says is true, it gets somewhat good gas mileage: Passengers: 4 Top speed @ 20,000 ft: 380 mph Cruise speed @ 29,000 ft (80% Max Range): 300 mph Cruise speed @ 29,000 ft (Max Range): 210 mph Cruise speed @ Sea Level (Max Range): 140 mph Maximum rate of climb: 5500 fpm Maximum range: 900 miles Net payload: 750 lbs Fuel consumption: 28 mpg Operational ceiling: 29,000 ft Gross weight: 2400 lbs Installed engine power: 645 hp Power boost (emergency): 70% Dimensions (LxWxH): 19.5' x 8.5' x 7.5' Takeoff and landing area: 35 ft dia Noise level at 500 ft: 65 dba (Goal) Vertical takeoff and landing: yes Uses automotive gas: yes Emergency parachutes: yes

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