Flying cars may seem like a distant pip-dream, but the Dutch made PAL-V Liberty is a flying car that is currently commercially available. A production model of the vehicle was recently shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and drew plenty of attention. While the personal aircraft is being touted as a flying car, it is actually a well-executed cross between a gyrocopter and a three-wheeled motorcycle. When in road-mode, the vehicle is capable of 99 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 100 mph.
The flying aspect of the PAL-V Liberty is handled by a separate engine in the vehicle, and is given lift by a sop mounted rotor. The vehicle is currently certified to fly under the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration. Potential pilots of the PAL-V Liberty will need a valid pilot's licence, and will require a small airfield or airstrip to take off and land.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Personal Flying Cars
- The availability of commercially available flying cars
- Cross-between Vehicles
- The combination of a gyrocopter and a three-wheeled motorcycle in a single vehicle
- Certification by Aviation Agencies
- The certification to fly under European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration
Industries Being Reshaped
- Automotive
- The potential disruption of traditional car manufacturers by the introduction of personal flying cars
- Aerospace
- The development of new technologies and regulations for personal flying vehicles
- Transportation
- The transformation of the transportation industry by the integration of ground and air travel
