Two new Skycars in the works

Moller International, Inc, the developer of the Skycar aircraft, the Rotapower line of rotary engines and the Aerobot line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), reports it has completed  the initial design phase for two new Skycars, which may qualify under the FAA’s Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

Company officials says they feel that the FAA’s introduction of the LSA category has opened up a “remarkable opportunity to advance aviation in America.” Producing aircraft in this category may be less costly and ultimately allow the company to produce an aircraft that is less expensive and have lower operational costs, officials add.

Using the criteria set forth under the LSA category, the company embarked on a new design program that combined the vertical take off and landing (VTOL) ability of its 4-passenger Skycar with the requirements of this new category. “We are very excited about the immediate marketability of our two-passenger Skycar 200 LS, two-passenger Neuera and single-passenger Skycar 100 LS models once they are approved to operate under the LSA classification,” said Dr. Paul Moller, President of Moller International.

“While it is not practical for the Skycar to hover for the length of time that a helicopter can in any one flight, it can easily perform other missions where the requirement for hover time is limited and where dash and cruise speed are critical. Our simple and effective method to achieve high-speed VTOL in a small, lightweight aircraft has the potential to have very low initial operating and maintenance costs,” says Bruce Calkins, Moller International’s General Manager. “Our Skycar 400 has huge potential in the personal transportation market, and we hope to bring the smaller, more affordable LS series on line quicker and easier. The characteristics of the LSA category certainly make this an attractive option.”

Moller International has its origins in research carried out by Dr. Paul Moller when he tested a scale model of his VTOL capable aircraft in 1961. A full-size version of the earlier VTOL aircraft was demonstrated in 1965. In 1967, research was conducted with the specific purpose of developing vertical takeoff aircraft for the consumer market.

For more information: Moller.com

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