Moller skycar

Moller International (MI) has completed the initial design phase of two new Skycars which are anticipated to meet the requirements of US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

Moller International President Paul Moller said the company is excited about the immediate marketability of its 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.

The company said that LSA category will allow the company to produce an aircraft that is less expensive and has lower operational costs.

Moller International general manager Bruce Calkins said 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, light weight aircraft has the potential to have very low initial operating and maintenance costs," Calkins said.

"Our Skycar 400 has huge potential in the personal transportation market, and we hope to bring the smaller, more affordable LS series online quicker and easier. The characteristics of the LSA category certainly make this an attractive option."

The design of the new Skycars meets the criteria that was set under the LSA category with the combination of previously vertical take off and landing (VTOL) ability of its four-passenger Skycar meeting the new category requirements.

In December 2011 Mioller signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a partner in China for the development, manufacture, distribution and sales of its Skycar, Rotapower engine, and Aerobot products under the Moller Skycar Project of $13.7bn in China.

Image: The Moller Skycar 200 LS can seat two passengers and has an endurance of 3.7 hours. Photo: Moller