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Mohyi Labs is working on bladeless propulsion technology that uses “ducted counter-vortex radial impeller technology” to manipulate air using waves instead of blades. Centrifugal force pushes air radially and is converted into thrust. This approach is more energy efficient and safer in densely-packed areas, providing a solution to two of the largest problems with flying cars. The company claims the technology can even be used to fly over water.

Related Links:

• Institution of Mechanical Engineers Article: http://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/bladeless-propulsion-could-open-the-skies-for-flying-cars

This year’s Paris Air Show unveiled a number of flying cars that are painting a clearer picture for the future. Many vehicles have release dates within the next few years with some already taking reservations. The AeroMobil Flying Car has retractable wings and is set for production by 2020 with a price tag of $1.8 million. The PAL-V Liberty is a two-seater gyrocopter will be available next year for $599,000. Nirvana Systems has dozens of orders for its mini-helicopter that can also travel on roads. The Kitty Hawk Flyer will be on sale by the end of the year.

Advancements in electric propulsion and the popularity of drones have contributed to the increase in development of flying cars. Since most require a pilot’s license and have a high price tag, flying cars are imagined to be initially for the ultra-rich. However, companies such as Uber are already envisioning a network of electric, vertical takeoff taxis and countries such as Dubai are buying into the idea.

Related Links:

• Times of India Article: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/miscellaneous/the-future-of-flying-cars-is-almost-here/articleshow/59350615.cms
• With Pictures: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/the-future-of-flying-cars-is-almost-here/not-a-fiction-anymore/slideshow/59352808.cms

Revealed at the Paris Airshow, the Workhorse Group’s SureFly personal VTOL offers simple and safe flying for a pilot and one passenger. The vehicle looks like a helicopter and uses four propeller arms with two fixed contra-rotating propellers each arm. It is powered by a gas combustion engine with lithium-ion batteries to reduce the need to recharge but to have a backup in case of engine failure. The controls use a simple joystick; since the vehicle is classified as a light-sport aircraft, it only takes 20 hours of pilot training to fly. The company hopes to use the SureFly in short taxi rides (up to 70 miles) with a targeted price of less than $200,000.

Related Links:

• FlyingMag Article: http://www.flyingmag.com/workhorse-unveils-surefly-personal-vtol-in-paris#page-5

Flying car manufacturers are taking interesting approaches to propulsion technology to solve the problem of personal aviation. Neva Aerospace’s AirQuadOne and DeLorean Aerospace’s DR-7 are two examples of such vehicles.

Neva Aerospace AirQuadOne:

The AirQuadOne uses 20 ducted fans to provide distributed thrust for vertical flight of a single passenger. Fore and aft pairs of large fans and two rows of four small fans are fixed and provide vertical lift. Four pairs of medium-size fans can tilt to also provide thrust for forward flight. The ducted fans have greater redundancy but are consequently more resilient to engine failures.

DeLorean Aerospace’s DR-7:

The DR-7 has a 20-foot wingspan that can fold to fit in a garage. The aircraft has two ducted fans mounted fore and aft on the fuselage in a push/pull configuration. VTOL engineers are concerned the ducts can generate sufficient moments to provide roll control in hover. The company also needs to consider what happens if fans are blocked during forward flight or lost completely. The DR-7 has a target price of $250,000-$300,000 with max speeds of up to 240-300mph.

Related Links:

• Aviation Week Article: http://aviationweek.com/technology/unconventional-designs-vie-personal-evtol-success

March 2017 || 1 min read

The Kitty Hawk Flyer is an all-electric aircraft backed by Google founder Larry Page. It is designed to fly over water with a range of 50 miles or 20 minutes of flight time. It doesn’t require a pilot’s license and takes minutes to learn how to fly. The vehicle will be available for purchase at the end of 2017.

22 June 2017 || 1 min read

AeroMobil presented its $1.6 million flying car at the Paris Air Show last week. The 26-foot wings and propeller fold into the body when on the road. Consumer sales begin in 2020.

Vehicle Details

• Max Range: 465 miles
• Max Speed: 100 mph
• Price: $1.6 million

Related Links:

• CNet Article: https://www.cnet.com/news/flying-car-aeromobil/