Results for: pal-v
PAL-V Liberty to Integrate Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display System
Aspen Avionics have announced that their Evolution Flight Display System has been chosen to integrate into Dutch company PAL-V’s Liberty flying car as the digital cockpit of choice. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aspen Avionics builds digital avionic technology for small commercial and general aviation aircraft, and has developed some of the aerospace industry’s first digital flight displays as drop-in...

PAL-V Liberty to Integrate Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display System

Aspen Avionics have announced that their Evolution Flight Display System has been chosen to integrate into Dutch company PAL-V’s Liberty flying car as the digital cockpit of choice. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aspen Avionics builds digital avionic technology for small commercial and general aviation aircraft, and has developed some of the aerospace industry’s first digital flight displays as drop-in replacements for analog mechanical gauges and controls. Aspen Avionics’ GPS-backed digital cockpits provide a full array of real-time flight data including altitude, air speed, weather, terrain, nearby air traffic, and navigational information.
According to Aspen International Regional Sales Manager Cory Relling, “We designed the Evolution product display over 15 years ago… With over 20,000 displays installed worldwide, we never imagined that an Aspen primary flight display would be among those installations in the first commercial flying car.”
The PAL-V Liberty has been in the works for around 20 years, and is a three wheel flying car. Certified to operate in European ground and airspace, the Liberty converts to a gyroplane by folding out its rotors and propellers, which are attached to the roof and back of the car. The company has been flight testing the vehicle since 2012, and expects to achieve flight certification in the next year or two, possibly rolling out the first models for sale sometime in 2022.
According to Aspen Avionics president and CEO John Uczekaj, “We’re very excited and honored to be part of this historic progression in the aviation industry.” The Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display System will be included as the PAL-V Liberty’s digital cockpit standard in all models.
Why it’s important: PAL-V has been making massive strides in delivering a vehicle that excels at both flight and ground-based driving. The inclusion of Aspen Avionics’ digital cockpit technology only strengthens the Liberty’s viability as one of the premier flying cars soon to be on the market. With the ability to drive on European roads, and making good progress towards its type certificate for flight, expect to see PAL-V’s Liberty on the street and in the air very soon.
Source // Yahoo News
Pal-V Liberty Hits the Road in Europe
PAL-V has taken a major step forward with its Liberty prototype by achieving street-legal certification in Europe, moving the company one step closer to commercialization. Starting earlier this year, the company worked with regulatory officials to pass the European road admission tests in a rigorous drive test program that tested the PAL-V Liberty’s brake systems, emissions, and maneuverability. Mike Stekelenburg,...

Pal-V Liberty Hits the Road in Europe

PAL-V has taken a major step forward with its Liberty prototype by achieving street-legal certification in Europe, moving the company one step closer to commercialization. Starting earlier this year, the company worked with regulatory officials to pass the European road admission tests in a rigorous drive test program that tested the PAL-V Liberty’s brake systems, emissions, and maneuverability.
Mike Stekelenburg, CTO of PAL-V, explained how he experienced this journey: “With the memories in mind of fly and drive testing our proof of concept, the PAL-V One, I was really looking forward to testing the Liberty. We have been cooperating with the road authorities for many years to reach this milestone. The excitement you feel in the team is huge. It was very challenging to make a “folded aircraft” pass all road admission tests.” Stekelenburg adds: “For me, the trick in successfully making flying car is to ensure that the design complies with both air and road regulations. I feel the energy and motivation in our team to push hard for the last few milestones and get the Liberty certified for flying too.”
Hans Joore, test-driver of the PAL-V, states: “When I fired-up the PAL-V for the first time I really got goosebumps! All the effort that we put into it came together at that crucial moment. Hearing the vehicle come to life was just magnificent and driving it was great. It is very smooth and responsive to the steering and with a weight of just 660 kg it accelerates really well. The overall experience is like a sportscar. It feels sensational.”
The company has also been pursuing a type certificate for flight through EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency), which is expected in 2022. From there, the company will begin delivering the Liberty flying car to customers worldwide. PAL-V states an unprecedented 80% of future PAL-V owners are new to aviation, some having begun flying lessons at the company’s own PAL-V FlyDrive Academy.
Why it matters: Flying cars have until recently seemed like a dream rather than a reality as creative and engineering minds have struggled to bridge the gap between flight and ground-based driving. PAL-V appears to be making massive strides in delivering a vehicle which excels at both. With the ability to drive on European roads, and making good progress towards its type certificate for flight, expect to see PAL-V’s Liberty on the street or in the air very soon.
PAL-V touring Netherlands in August Following Planned Certification
The PAL-V flying car will go on tour in the Netherlands in August of this year (via road and sky) to demonstrate the advantages of the aircraft to confirmed and prospective buyers alike. The PAL-V most closely resembles that of a gyrocopter in flight, and requires a gyrocopter pilot’s license to operate. While the vehicle can convert from car to...

PAL-V touring Netherlands in August Following Planned Certification

The PAL-V flying car will go on tour in the Netherlands in August of this year (via road and sky) to demonstrate the advantages of the aircraft to confirmed and prospective buyers alike. The PAL-V most closely resembles that of a gyrocopter in flight, and requires a gyrocopter pilot’s license to operate. While the vehicle can convert from car to aircraft in less than 3 minutes, it is currently only approved to make flights from airports. Unfortunately, taking off from the highway during rush hour isn’t approved just yet.
PAL-V will work with Dienst Wegverkeer (the Netherlands Vehicle Authority) to conduct final inspections that will lead to the car’s authorization to be driven on roads in the Netherlands next month.
Marco van den Bosch, the company’s director, noted in a statement that “Next month, after the certification is finally given, we want to have a tour and visit several cities in the Netherlands.”
The flying car maker intends on first deliveries of the aircraft in early 2021, a delayed date from the initial target of late 2019. This rollout progression may be indicative of the approximate entry to service dates for other aerial mobility aircraft, roughly a year later than anticipated. However, individual scenarios will inevitably vary.
While the PAL-V is truly a “flying car” or “personal aerial vehicle” (PAV) as they are commonly referred to, the application process with Dienst Wegverkeer and the Dutch Aviation authorities that will eventually allow the aircraft to conduct demonstration flights and drives in the Netherlands is a similar process that many aerial mobility manufacturers will need to undergo to bring their products to market. Additionally, the framework for approval in this instance offers the public an opportunity to meet the new products in person and offers opportunities for new feedback that might not have been obtained during earlier design phases.
Why it’s important: The PAL-V’s tour through the Netherlands is reassuring amongst the challenging times of COVID-19 in that the manufacturer is able to move forward with their rollout of the PAL-V as a commercial viable personal aerial vehicle that is currently available for sale.
Source // PAL-V and The Daily Star
Flying Car Creator PAL-V to Build Production Plant in Gujarat
Netherlands-based flying car manufacturer, PAL-V has announced plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, building off of its announcement to test the prototype in the area last week at the Economic Times Summit in Delhi. The company is in its final stages of certification in Europe as of February 2020. The announcement also comes with new Memorandums...

Flying Car Creator PAL-V to Build Production Plant in Gujarat

Netherlands-based flying car manufacturer, PAL-V has announced plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, building off of its announcement to test the prototype in the area last week at the Economic Times Summit in Delhi.
The company is in its final stages of certification in Europe as of February 2020.
The announcement also comes with new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Principal Secretary of State, MK Das. This MoU will greatly help the flying car manufacturer in receiving all the necessary regulatory approvals to set up a new production plant in Gujarat.
PAL-V chose Gujarat for its world-class infrastructure, relative ease of conducting business, and low cost basis for producing its flying car prototype at scale. The PAL-V Liberty has been under development for the past decade, will have the ability to transform from a car to a flight vehicle in less than 3 minutes, and can fly distances of over 500km.
The Liberty will be able to seat two people with 20kg of baggage.
Why it matters: This announcement follows recent news from PAL-V last week at the Economic Times Summit in New Delhi and signals a significant investment in India for the final production and testing of its vehicles. In addition, another agreement with Kuwait Airways for suggests that that PAL-V may expect its first customers to be residents of the East. If the company meets its 2021 goal of delivering final vehicles to customers, it would be among one of the first to do so and usher in the era of aerial mobility.
Pal-V May Test in India
PAL-V is a Dutch company that’s been developing a personal drivable aircraft for over ten years since its founding in 2008. Since then, PAL-V has been working hard to advance its technology and move forward toward both land and air certification. The PAL-V Liberty can take off within 330m, fly at speeds over 180kph, and can land vertically. The company expects...

Pal-V May Test in India


The PAL-V Liberty, a road-capable air and land vehicle available starting at $399k USD.
PAL-V is a Dutch company that’s been developing a personal drivable aircraft for over ten years since its founding in 2008. Since then, PAL-V has been working hard to advance its technology and move forward toward both land and air certification. The PAL-V Liberty can take off within 330m, fly at speeds over 180kph, and can land vertically. The company expects to deliver its first aircraft to the hands of customers by December 2021.
Accroding to PAL-V Co-Chairman Drs Janpieter Koning, company representatives recently met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demonstrate its technology. “We might start testing in India very soon” said Koning at the Economic Times Global Business Summit in New Delhi. The Economic Times Summit this year covered many topics, including the the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the impact of artificial intelligence on businesses and employment generation, and corporate preparedness to face disruptive changes.

A panel takes place at the Economic Times Global Business Summit in New Delhi, India
PAL-V hopes begin production in 2021, and according to many sources, is reaching the final stages of the certification process in Europe. The company also recently signed a Memorium of Understanding with Kuwait Airways, which will help provide aviation maintenance service for PAL-V’s customers.

The PAL-V Liberty unfolds its main propellor from its roof
Why it’s important: PAL-V’s Liberty is significant as it’s one of the only personal road-capable aircraft that will soon be available for sale. While other companies such as Terrafugia have pivoted directions, and others are selling private aircraft with a more VTOL-style for a higher price-point, PAL-V has stayed the course in making a personal aircraft that can also serve the daily commute. This may make it one of the first in the industry to begin unit sales to private customers.
Sources // The Economic Times
PAL-V Enters Final Stages of Certification
For the past decade, PAL-V has been developing a flying car for the masses and it appears to be entering the final stages of certification with deliveries expected to begin in 2021. Currently, the company is demonstrating compliance to regulatory agencies across the world, has realized its first production facility, and established the European Road Admission. Robert Dingemanse, CEO of...

PAL-V Enters Final Stages of Certification

For the past decade, PAL-V has been developing a flying car for the masses and it appears to be entering the final stages of certification with deliveries expected to begin in 2021. Currently, the company is demonstrating compliance to regulatory agencies across the world, has realized its first production facility, and established the European Road Admission.

The PAL-V Liberty has started its road admission tests and has reached the final stage of air certification.
Robert Dingemanse, CEO of PAL-V: “The term flying cars is used for two different applications. The first flying cars, fly and drive, and are used like cars for personal mobility going from door-to-door between towns and cities. Imagine living in Geneva and driving your flying car from your garage to go to an appointment in Cannes (South-France). Driving 10 minutes to the nearest (grass) airstrip, take-off and be on your way to Cannes. After 2 hours you land near Cannes and in minutes you convert your aircraft back to car-mode. Another 10-minute drive and you arrive at your appointment in the city. A journey that normally takes 5.5 hours will now take only 2.5 hours. On top, you enjoyed the birds-eye view of the Alps, the French countryside, and the freedom of flying. A dream comes true.”
PAL-V says it focused on the following design parameters in making its final certification test article: safety, ease of use, performance, compact body. These factors are essential to make a commercial viable flying car as Dingemanse explained, “No one wants to fly a car that isn’t certified, hard to fly or that doesn’t fit a standard parking spot.”
The company for now has designed PAL-V to take off and land from existing airports but plans to make an entry into the eVTOL space in less than a decade.
Why it matters: If the company meets its 2021 goal of delivering final vehicles to customers, it would be among one of the first to do so and usher in the era of aerial mobility. Flying cars have long been a fantasy, however PAL-V appears to have locked in on a final configuration and is near certifying its vehicle. Expect to see PAL-V’s on the road and in the skies near you very soon!
Kuwait Airways Signs MoU With PAL-V
The Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) and Dutch firm PAL-V have signed a memorandum of understanding for KAC to provide maintenance services of PAL-V’s Liberty in the Middle East. The MoU was signed by PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse and KAC Deputy CEO Abdul Halim Zaidan, at a ceremony attended by KAC Board Chairman Yousif Abdul Hameed Al-Jassem, Netherlands Ambassador to Kuwait...

Kuwait Airways Signs MoU With PAL-V

The Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) and Dutch firm PAL-V have signed a memorandum of understanding for KAC to provide maintenance services of PAL-V’s Liberty in the Middle East.

The PAL-V Liberty, set for release in 2021.
The MoU was signed by PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse and KAC Deputy CEO Abdul Halim Zaidan, at a ceremony attended by KAC Board Chairman Yousif Abdul Hameed Al-Jassem, Netherlands Ambassador to Kuwait Frans Potuyt, KAC CEO Kamel Al-Awadhi, manager of the regional business center in Dubai Abdullah Al-Enezi, and PAL-V’s Deputy CEO in the Middle East Khalil Malaeb.

The PAL-V is a two-seater roadable air vehicle with a maximum flying speed of 180km/h and a maximum road speed of 160km/h. It needs a 180m runway to take off and only a 30-meter runway to land.
The deal speaks to the future of flying cars in the Middle East. PAL-V CEO Dingemanse stressed that the MoU is ‘historic’ in the field of aviation, and marks the start of long term cooperation between both companies. KAC’s CEO Kamel Al-Awadhi expressed that for KAC, the focus of the MoU is to provide clients like PAL-V with a large variety of services, and to highlight KAC’s highly skilled engineering and technical staff. Ambassador Potuyt was very optimistic about the deal, emphasizing his belief that the agreement will strengthen both participating countries’ economic and political relations.
The PAL-V Liberty, available for $400,000, is set for initial release in 2021. Learn more about the Liberty here.
Why it’s important: With this most recent MoU for PAL-V, the role of the Liberty in the air mobility industry is further cemented. The Liberty’s design allows for a wide variety of applications, not only in the private sector, but also in Kuwait’s military, national guard, firemen, and rescue services. With successful demonstrations of the various PAL-V use cases, a surge of interest from both the public and private sector may not be far behind.
Sources // Kuwait Times
Subscribe to TUP
Listen to the TUP Podcast
GKN Fokker Signs MoU With PAL-V to Assist Launch of Liberty
At the Paris Air Show, held on June 17-23, fellow Dutch firm GKN Fokker signed a MoU with PAL-V to assist with the design, certification, engineering and production of current and future versions of PAL-V’s flying car, the Liberty. The MoU with GKN Fokker will both accelerate testing and production of the Liberty, as well as provide PAL-V with the...

GKN Fokker Signs MoU With PAL-V to Assist Launch of Liberty

At the Paris Air Show, held on June 17-23, fellow Dutch firm GKN Fokker signed a MoU with PAL-V to assist with the design, certification, engineering and production of current and future versions of PAL-V’s flying car, the Liberty.
The MoU with GKN Fokker will both accelerate testing and production of the Liberty, as well as provide PAL-V with the backing of a larger, established aerospace company, which will be beneficial for competing with other companies in the UAM industry.
The Liberty is currently undergoing compliance demonstration, the final stage for certification, at the company’s headquarters in Raamsdonksveer, which is expected to finish sometime in late 2020 – early 2021.

“GKN Fokker’s assistance strengthens our business with the capabilities and technologies of a world leader in the aviation industry,” said Robert Dingemanse, founder and CEO of PAL-V. “It’s fantastic that GKN Fokker will assist us in the finalisation of the PAL-V Liberty: the production and final certification.”
GKN plans on staying heavily involved with the Liberty even after initial production and manufacturing. One of the possible areas to explore is the possibility of producing specialized versions of the Liberty at a GKN Fokker site, aimed towards specific industries such as first response, police, and military. The added security and data provided by GKN Fokker’s production facilities are an important factor for such an undertaking. According to Robert Dingemanse, founder and CEO of PAL-V, “this is important as the interest from professional customers is growing rapidly.”

“Pal-V is an exciting company in the growing personal flying mobility market,” said Adriaan Leyte, vice president of new business development at GKN Fokker. “We are happy to support them in taking the next step. This innovative product can help the aviation industry in moving to the next chapter of personal flying mobility. As GKN Fokker, we want to assist them in their growth.”
Why it’s important: The MoU between GKN Fokker and PAL-V firmly establishes the latter as one of the stronger competitors in the UAM market. The Liberty, scheduled to be one of the first, if not the first, flying cars to be released for private purchase, will be the first taste of a true flying car experienced by the public. While included with a hefty price tag, the success of the Liberty could mean that future versions may end up no more expensive than a regular car.
Sources // Flight Global
Subscribe to TUP
Listen to the TUP Podcast
PAL-V Reveals the ‘Liberty Pioneer’
With production scheduled to begin next year, PAL-V revealed a special edition of its ‘Liberty’ flying car earlier this week at the Geneva Motor Show. According to PAL-V, the new ‘Liberty Pioneer’, will be first out for delivery with a production run of only 90 units. This special version of the original PAL-V Liberty will have tailor-made leather interior, carbon materials,...

PAL-V Reveals the ‘Liberty Pioneer’

With production scheduled to begin next year, PAL-V revealed a special edition of its ‘Liberty’ flying car earlier this week at the Geneva Motor Show.

The PAL-V Liberty is part gyro-plane and part three-wheeled car. Anyone with a drivers license can drive the PAL-V on the ground, but a pilot’s license is required for flight. PAL-V showed off the base model of its flying car last year. Learn more about the PAL-V’s specs.
According to PAL-V, the new ‘Liberty Pioneer’, will be first out for delivery with a production run of only 90 units. This special version of the original PAL-V Liberty will have tailor-made leather interior, carbon materials, and two-tone coloring, as well as some extra performance features. Delivery is scheduled for 2020.

Said PAL-V Chief engineer Mike Stekelenburg: “The gyroplane principle not only provides us with a safe and easy-to-operate flying car but it also enables us to make it compact and within existing regulations, which is the most important factor to build a useable flying car.” The PAL-V Liberty requires about 1,000 feet of runway to take-off, 98ft to land, and has a range of about three hundred miles.
PAL-V is currently testing its production-ready aircraft with the European Aviation Safety Agency for certification as a small rotorcraft. Around 150 flight trials are required and will occur this year. As of mid-2018, PAL-V has received about 50 pre-orders for the vehicle.
Why it’s important: While the PAL-V Liberty is more recreational aircraft than built for urban air mobility, the vehicle has had to go through many of the same certification and production details that new eVTOL aircraft are experiencing. By ‘normalizing’ the experience of personal flight, PAL-V paves the way more new types of personal aircraft.
Sources // FlightGlobal, New Atlas.
Terrafugia and Pal-V take Pre-Orders
On the left is the Terrafugia Transition. On the right is the Pal-V Liberty. These are the first two flying cars to reach the market. Many VTOLs classify as ‘flying cars’ because they are personal-sized point to point vehicles that use the skies as their medium of travel. However, the Pal-V Liberty and the Terrafugia Transition can drive on the...

Terrafugia and Pal-V take Pre-Orders

On the left is the Terrafugia Transition. On the right is the Pal-V Liberty. These are the first two flying cars to reach the market.
Many VTOLs classify as ‘flying cars’ because they are personal-sized point to point vehicles that use the skies as their medium of travel. However, the Pal-V Liberty and the Terrafugia Transition can drive on the road as well as fly through the air.
Terrafugia, founded by graduates of MIT, has been working on the Transition for over a decade. The Transition’s wings fold to become as flush as possible with the body when the car is on the ground, and unfold for flight. Based in New England, Terrafugia was purchased by Volvo’s Chinese parent company, Geely, in 2017.
Terrafugia has begun taking pre-orders for the Transition, with a price around $300,000. The Transition’s main features include the ability to switch from drive mode to flight mode in under one minute, a range of about 400 miles, and a flight top speed of 100mph. On the ground, the Transition is powered by a hybrid engine with speeds also up to 100mph.
The Dutch company Pal-V’s ‘Liberty; is designed more like a personal helicopter. The Pal-V Liberty has three wheels, and long helicopter blades that fold into its body for its drive mode.
The base model of the Liberty is priced at €299,000, but €499,000 for the ‘Pioneer’ edition, which will be delivered first and will include all the available customizable options. Pal-V started taking pre-orders last month. Similar to Tesla, it is currently taking these orders through a queue reservation system, which requires a minimum $2,500 down payment. The Liberty has a top airspeed of 112mph, and top ground speed 100mph and a 100 gallon fuel tank, which is good for about four hours of flight time.
Both companies will begin delivering to customers in 2019.
Why It’s Important: While both of these vehicles are mainly recreational, they represent great steps for the era of personal aerial transportation. Not only will both these vehicles promote the acceptance of personal aircraft, they have also already struggled with many of the certification obstacles that air taxi VTOLs are currently experiencing.
Pal-V to Demo at Farnborough International Airshow
The Pal-V Liberty will be on display at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 16 through 22 later this month in England. The Pal-V has been under development since 2001 and is a three seat gyroplane that converted to a two seat gyroplane. Liberty is planning on attaining FAA certification by 2020. If certification is gained by this point, deliveries should began shortly thereafter....

Pal-V to Demo at Farnborough International Airshow

The Pal-V Liberty will be on display at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 16 through 22 later this month in England. The Pal-V has been under development since 2001 and is a three seat gyroplane that converted to a two seat gyroplane.
Liberty is planning on attaining FAA certification by 2020. If certification is gained by this point, deliveries should began shortly thereafter.
The certification date of 2020 is later than intended on for Pal-V – the aircraft was initially targeting a 2017 certification completion date, which was moved to 2019, and now finally 2020.
From the Robb Report Website: “The company continues to accept orders for the Liberty, which is available in two models: the fully loaded Liberty Pioneer Edition and the base model Liberty Sport. The estimated price of the Pioneer Edition is about $600,000, and it’s roughly $400,000 for the Sport. Pal-V plans to build only 90 examples of the Pioneer Edition and sell only 25 in the North American market. Reserving a Liberty requires a non-refundable deposit of $25,000 for the Pioneer and $10,000 for the Sport. (Pal-V says it will refund the deposits if the Liberty fails to receive certification.)
Both Liberty models will have a maximum speed of just under 100 mph in driving mode and a zero-to-60-mph time of less than 9 seconds. In flying mode, both will have a high cruising speed of nearly 100 mph and a range of about 250 miles with two people aboard and 310 miles with just a pilot. Pal-V recommends a runway—paved or level grass—of at least 900 feet for takeoff and a 100-foot strip for landing.
Rear view Photo: Courtesy Pal-V
It’s perhaps fitting that the world’s first production flying car is a gyroplane—an unusual aircraft design that harkens back to the earliest days of powered flight and, while never completely disappearing, has always lived on the edge of mainstream aviation. Unlike a helicopter, a gyroplane’s blades are not powered by a motor; instead, they spin freely and generate lift as a result of their forward motion through the air. The vehicle’s forward thrust is provided by a separate motor and propeller, more akin to a fixed-wing airplane. That’s why the Liberty needs 900 feet to take off; it cannot rise vertically like a conventional helicopter. But one of the primary advantages of the design is a much lower stall speed and easier handling.
The Liberty converts from an automobile into a gyroplane in about 10 minutes—the amount of time it takes to unfold the blades, which are bundled on the roof when the vehicle is in driving mode.
To operate the Liberty in the United States, you’ll need a standard driver’s license and a gyroplane license. The latter requires 30 to 40 hours of training. The company plans to offer flying lessons at its Pal-V FlyDrive Academy locations, one of which will be located in Florida.”
Source
PAL-V
Quick SummaryThe Pal-V Liberty is a cross between a helicopter and a car. The Liberty is made by Dutch company Pal-V, which was founded in 2008. As September 2018, the company became one of the first to begin taking pre-orders. The aircraft will be available for anyone with a pilots license for about 400k USD.CompanyCEOProduct NamePAL-V, a Raamsdonksveer, Netherlands companyIr...

PAL-V

Quick Summary
The Pal-V Liberty is a cross between a helicopter and a car. The Liberty is made by Dutch company Pal-V, which was founded in 2008. As September 2018, the company became one of the first to begin taking pre-orders. The aircraft will be available for anyone with a pilots license for about 400k USD.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Wingless, Roadable VTOL
Powerplant: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
Range: See Below
Top Speed: See Below
Propeller Configuration: Traditional Gyrocopter
Passenger/Payload Capacity: 2 Passengers
Autonomy Level: Piloted
Dimensions: Drive-mode: 4m L x 2m W x 1.7m H; Flight-mode: (Rotor diameter is 10.75m) 6.1m L x 2m W x 3.2m H
Other Information:
Maximum baggage load: 20 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 910 kg
Fuel type: Euro 95, Euro 98, E10 *
Fuel capacity: 100 l
* Unleaded automotive fuel, with max. 10% ethanol (E10), EN 228 specification, min RON 95 (min AKI 91)
Drive mode
Max Speed: 160 km/h
Top speed acceleration: (0-100 km/h)<9 seconds
Engine power: 100 hp
Fuel economy: 7.6 l/100km
Range: 1315 km
Flight Mode
Economic cruise speed: 140 km/h
High cruise speed (90% range): 160 km/h
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Min speed for level flight: 50 km/h
Engine power: 200 hp
Maximum operating altitude: 3500m
Useful load: 246 kg
Landing roll distance: 30m
Fuel economy: 26 l/h
Take-off roll (MTOW, MSL): 180m
Take-off distance + 15m obstacle clearance, MTOW**, MSL***: 330m
Max Range (with ½ hour reserve fuel*, MTOW): 400 km
Max Range (with ½ hour reserve fuel, single person operation, MSL): 500 km
Our Take on the Pal-V
The PAL-V is very successful in that it is one of the first commercially available flying cars, however its design is not a radical departure from the more traditional gyrocopters that have been flying for decades. The engineering design skill for the PAL-V is exhibited by the folding component design of the product, featuring a rear facing propellor driving the vehicle forward and the free-spinning blade on top of the craft which provide inertial lift as the PAL-V accelerates to forward flight. PAL-V's greatest success is the successful completion of the design process (pending complete certification) and bringing their product to market. As of June 2018, the company was taking deposits for it's PAL-V craft - $25,000 for the option to purchase the Liberty Edition, PAL-V's flagship completely optioned, and $10,000 for the option to purchase a Sport model with fewer available options.
Pal-V Unveils Flying Car at Geneva Auto Show
The Dutch Company Pal-V launched its flying car at the 88th Annual Geneva International Motor Show on press day, marking yet another entry into the personal vertical transportation field. The Pal-V is configured as a three-wheeled, two-seat gyroplane and car combination that Pal-V CEO Robert Dingemanse thinks will change the way people think about personal transportation. Estimates state that the Pal-V...

Pal-V Unveils Flying Car at Geneva Auto Show

The Dutch Company Pal-V launched its flying car at the 88th Annual Geneva International Motor Show on press day, marking yet another entry into the personal vertical transportation field. The Pal-V is configured as a three-wheeled, two-seat gyroplane and car combination that Pal-V CEO Robert Dingemanse thinks will change the way people think about personal transportation. Estimates state that the Pal-V will operate at speeds up to 110mph with a range of just more than 300 miles. The Pal-V is slated to operate on conventional gasoline.
Source
PAL-V Expected to Deliver First Flying Car by 2018 Year-End
PAL-V (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) expects to deliver its first three-wheeled gyrocopter vehicle by the end of 2018. The PAL-V Liberty seats two and is certified to be used on the road with a driving license or lift off from an airfield with a pilot’s license. The company plans to sell to the US, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Japan, and China;...

PAL-V Expected to Deliver First Flying Car by 2018 Year-End

PAL-V (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) expects to deliver its first three-wheeled gyrocopter vehicle by the end of 2018. The PAL-V Liberty seats two and is certified to be used on the road with a driving license or lift off from an airfield with a pilot’s license. The company plans to sell to the US, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Japan, and China; interested buyers can put down a deposit now to claim their own.
Vehicle Details
- Max Altitude: 11,500 ft
- Range: 250-300 miles
- Max Ground Speed: 105 mph
- Price: $599,000
Related Links:
- Phys.org Article: https://phys.org/news/2017-06-dutch-firm-aims-car.html
Cyclorotor Conducts First Flight of Unique Unmanned Aircraft Configuration
Cyclorotor unveiled footage of the first flight of their Bumblebee2.0 concept with an Enhanced Propulsion system last week. The flight occurred at the end of August, 2023. This aircraft showcases a unique configuration, featuring four CR42 CycloRotors and an advanced flight control system. The launch of the outdoor flight campaign marks progress toward development of CYCLOROTOR’s unique aviation propulsion system....

Cyclorotor Conducts First Flight of Unique Unmanned Aircraft Configuration

Cyclorotor unveiled footage of the first flight of their Bumblebee2.0 concept with an Enhanced Propulsion system last week. The flight occurred at the end of August, 2023. This aircraft showcases a unique configuration, featuring four CR42 CycloRotors and an advanced flight control system. The launch of the outdoor flight campaign marks progress toward development of CYCLOROTOR’s unique aviation propulsion system.
The flight demonstration took place at a general aviation airport in Austria. CYCLOROTOR shares that their outdoor flight operations adhere to all applicable regulations set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), operating under the UAS operational authorization for the “specific” category.

Over the coming months, Cyclorotor plans to demonstrate the capabilities of its 360° thrust vectoring CycloRotors. These innovative propulsion units are based off of a design that’s over 100 years old and can challenge traditional aerial mobility industry aircraft configurations. However, not all are in agreement of the level of enhanced maneuverability, stability, and efficiency in flight offered by this unique configuration. CYCLOROTOR aims to systematically expand the flight envelope, further exploring and collecting data on the performance of their unique aircraft design.
While the debut of Bumblebee2.0 represents a unique application of a novel propulsion and lifting concept that is over a century old, it is important to note that this novel configuration may only partially permeate into limited applications in the drone industry. As with any unique configuration, widespread adoption often requires time and industry-wide acceptance in addition to successful, demonstrated performance.
Why it’s important: CYCLOROTOR has invited aviation enthusiasts, industry stakeholders, and the public to stay tuned for more updates as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of aerial mobility. While their novel configuration is still not proven for widespread application, the team is making strides toward advancement of a unique type of aircraft and collecting data that can be used to improve future variants.
Share this: