Aeromobiles - cars that fly

In the XNUMXth century, two dreams of mankind began to come true at once: using technical means to move on the ground and fly. The first idea came true with the invention of the steam locomotive, and then the automobile. The second was more difficult, but the Wright brothers still managed to conquer the sky and open the era of aircraft. Everything seems to be fine - and you can ride and fly! But the inquisitive human mind began to seek to combine both vehicles.

History

The first ideas to create a flying car were realized in 1917. Glenn Curtiss designed and built the Autoplane (Curtiss Model L). At the heart of the device is the popular Ford T at that time, the aircraft engine is a Curtiss V8 with 100 hp. With. The designer managed to make several flights and develop a speed of 105 km / h.

The Russian inventor Pavel Grokhovsky tried to create something similar in the 30s. The base was a Ford 40. But the project never came to fruition. The driving and flying apparatus of Waldo Waterman, built in 1937, turned out to be more successful. The Arrowbile he built had a rear propeller and detachable wings that took 3 minutes to install. The vehicle had good technical characteristics for those times:

• ✅ weight - 800 kg
  
• ✅ speed - 113 km / h on the ground and almost 200 km / h in the air
  

In total, six piece copies of the flying car were produced. But the car was never put into production.



And here is another device flying through the sky and moving on the ground. But here the main interest is not the ability of a machine to conquer two elements, but the process of transformation from one mode of transport to another. Outwardly, it is an ordinary aircraft. But as soon as the need for a land trip arises, its rear end with wings is manually shifted back and the car appears before the astonished public.



This craft, called the Airphibian, was developed after World War II. Shown in 1950, built 4 cars. But the manufacturing company went bankrupt (for other reasons) and the project was closed, and there was no one to pick up the idea. However, in our time it has returned again. Today, several real models of flying cars have been built and put into operation. Some of them are worth talking about in more detail.

AIRCRAFT

The Slovak company of the same name has been developing the device since 1990. Several prototypes were created, but only one was selected to build the car. After a huge number of tests in 2016, the technique finally took to the air. For the manufacture of the case, only modern materials were used - special steel alloys and carbon fiber. The wings are made of carbon fiber.



Transformation from car to plane takes 20 (!) seconds. Inside - all the necessary devices - autopilot, navigation, equipment for flying at night and even parachutes. Technical details:

• ? engine - Rotax 192 (100 hp)
  
• ? speed - 160 km / h on the ground and 200 km / h in the air
  
• ? takeoff run - 250 m of a flat surface (50 m is enough for landing)
  
• ? fuel consumption (gasoline) - 16 l / h
  
• ? cruising range (flight range) - 875 km (700 km)
  
• ? empty machine weight - 450 kg
  

To control the device, in addition to ordinary rights, you will need a pilot's license. So far there is a double version, but the manufacturer is also developing an option for 4 people. The estimated cost of the car is 300 thousand euros.

Terrafugia transition

It's a hybrid in every way. It has a pair of electric motors and a conventional internal combustion engine. And the transport can rise into the sky straight up, like a helicopter. He does not care where to start - no runway is required. The machine is equipped with a pair of small wings, which, when moving on the ground, take a vertical position, and if you need to take off - horizontal. And at the same time, the device freely fits in a standard garage.



But the main feature of the miracle machine is automatic control, which does not require the presence of a pilot. Just enter the desired item into the program and the device will begin to move in the specified direction. Some notable features:

• ? ICE power - 300 liters. With.
  
• ? maximum speed - 320 km / h
  
• ? distance – 800 km
  

To drive a miracle machine, you still need a driver's license and a pilot's license. The cost of the apparatus is 279 thousand euros. It is planned to launch a series of flying cars by 2025.

Moller Skycar M400

This American device, created by Moller International (the author of the project is University Professor Paul Moller, Davis) is not yet mass-produced.



However, there are already potential investors ready to invest in production. And not only in the US: China has also shown interest in the hybrid: China offers to place production facilities on its territory. What is it that attracts investors so much?



The transfer is able to take on board four people, the take-off is vertical. Other options:

• ? gasoline engine power - 645 "horses"
  
• ? fuel consumption - 8,5 l / 100 km
  
• ? speed at an altitude of 6000 m - 610 km / h
  
• ? distance covered - 1450 km
  

To start serial production, investments from 80 million dollars are required. The device itself is expected to cost from 500 thousand "green".

Pal V

The device was developed by a company from the Netherlands. By design, it is a hybrid of a gyroplane and a tricycle. The car has propellers that fold when traveling on a normal highway and rear-wheel drive. The design received all permits for legal movement on public roads.



To take off into the air, a car, like an airplane, needs a run of 180 m, 30 m is enough for a landing. The power plant includes a pair of 100 hp gasoline engines. With. When flying, both motors are used, on the ground - one. Pal-V main parameters:

• ? dimensions in the incarnation of a car (in flight mode) - 4x2x1,7 m (6,1x2x3,2 m)
  
• ? maximum ground speed - 160 km / h
  
• ? acceleration to "hundreds" on the road takes 9 seconds
  
• ? cruising range on the highway - 1315 km, in the air - 500 km
  
• ? ceiling - 3500 m
  
• ? fuel consumption on the ground (in the air) - 7,6 l / 100 km (26 l / h)
  
• ? empty weight - 664 kg
  

The airmobile is planned to be sold in the USA (90 copies will be made) and the EU (10 cars). In the first case, the estimated cost will be 599 thousand euros, in the second - 499 thousand in the same currency.



The price includes training flights with an instructor and a theoretical course. Today pre-orders are accepted: the minimum deposit is 10 thousand dollars. The developer promises to start deliveries by the end of this year.

Parajet Sky Car

Sometimes referred to as a "flying buggy" because of its appearance, this aircar flew from London to Africa. The device was developed by two companies. The first, Parajet International Ltd, is responsible for the components necessary for the flight, the second (Rage Motorsport Ltd) - the overall design. As a result of joint efforts, a car was obtained that was transformed into an airplane in three minutes.



The first flight took place in 2009, since then the air car has been repeatedly upgraded. Features of the Parajet SkyCar:

• ? engine - three-cylinder gasoline from Yamaha in 140 liters. With.
  
• ? maximum ground speed (in the air) - 220 km / h (110 km / h)
  
• ? cruising range on the highway (in the sky) - 400 km (300 km)
  
• ? ceiling - 4500 m
  

The use of a parachute makes it difficult to take off or land in urban areas. To take to the air, you need a flat area 200 m long to gain a speed of 60 km / h. The cost of a "flying buggy" is relatively low - 80 thousand dollars. However, during the flights, shortcomings were discovered, which the designers are working to eliminate.