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Thread: Speaking of roadable aircraft....

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  1. #1

    Speaking of roadable aircraft....

    Both the Terrafugia Transition AND the Pal-V made their maiden flights recently. For more on the Terrafugia, check out this link: http://www.eaa.org/news/2012/2012-04-02_transition.asp.

    For more on the Pal-V, check out the maiden flight in this video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=SgHSaNtAMjs


    And here is the Pal-V's website: http://pal-v.com/

    Being a bit of a gyro nut, I kind of like the Pal-V design. It looks very promising.

    Zack

  2. #2
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    The Pal-V is a very neat looking design (as opposed to the Terra-fugly-a which is just plain (plane?) ugly) but I can't help wonder how it would stand up in a collision with a "regular" car or G-d forbid an SUV. I think the road safety regulations are going to be the biggest hurdle from a technology standpoint for these sorts of vehicles. The flying part of the design is the "easy" part. The regulations related to car design are going to be a much tougher issue. Anyone who thinks the FAA has restrictive regulations in place needs to take a look at the regulations involved in car design and qualification around the world. We in the experimental community have it pretty sweet.
    Unfortunately in science what you believe is irrelevant.

    "I'm an old-fashioned Southern Gentleman. Which means I can be a cast-iron son-of-a-***** when I want to be."- Robert A. Heinlein.



  3. #3
    I'm guessing the Pav-V would more than likely be classified as a flying motorcycle/trike. Far fewer hoops to jump through to license a motorcycle.

  4. #4
    tdm's Avatar
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    Surprised that I haven't seen this Pal-V before. Seems like a very mature design, might even be efficient. What is the country of origin? Also, I might be missing something, but I can't see in the video what happens to the rotor after transforming into "road-mode". Is it simply removed?
    Last edited by tdm; 04-02-2012 at 01:15 PM.
    學而不思則罔,思而不學則殆。

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by tdm View Post
    Surprised that I haven't seen this Pal-V before. Seems like a very mature design, might even be efficient. What is the country of origin? Also, I might be missing something, but I can't see in the video what happens to the rotor after transforming into "road-mode". Is it simply removed?
    The company is located in the Netherlands. Watch the video closely and you'll see that the rotor is hinged and when in "road-mode" is folded upon itself so that it lays on the "fuselage" back towards the tail. You can kind of see a photo of what I'm talking about here: http://pal-v.com/press-media/images/?afg0_page_id=2

  6. #6

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    This is pretty neat! It isn't going to become the next "big thing", but it may have a market niche. Certainly would appeal to the current gyro market, keep it in your garage and "drive" it to the local airport, I assume it runs on mogas, another plus. I'd buy one if I won the lottery, but that in itself would put a smile on my face!

    Joe

  7. #7
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    Yeah, but then again, I wonder what the market really is for a high priced vehicle like that. That seems to be one of the major issues on the business side of the equation: those who are true believers in the concept (any concept for that matter) tend to overestimate its appeal to a broader audience or the price that audience is willing to pay.
    Unfortunately in science what you believe is irrelevant.

    "I'm an old-fashioned Southern Gentleman. Which means I can be a cast-iron son-of-a-***** when I want to be."- Robert A. Heinlein.



  8. #8
    Auburntsts's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by steveinindy View Post
    Yeah, but then again, I wonder what the market really is for a high priced vehicle like that. That seems to be one of the major issues on the business side of the equation: those who are true believers in the concept (any concept for that matter) tend to overestimate its appeal to a broader audience or the price that audience is willing to pay.
    I concur. For me, this roadable aircraft stuff is just a novelty. IMO, the design compromises results in a mediocre car and a mediocre airplane. I do see the value of something like the Maverick which is a is a road-legal powered parachute (basically a dune buggy under a chute) for use in austere environments with limited infrastructure, but until they come up with technology like the flying cars in the movie Blade Runner I’m not buying.
    Todd “I drink and know things” Stovall
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    WAR DAMN EAGLE!

  9. #9
    rosiejerryrosie's Avatar
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    I don't really know how many people fit into this category, but I know a guy who, for years, communted from South Central Pennsylvania to Southern Virginia in his Cessna 190. He says the many's the time during all those years, he would have loved to be able to convert his airplane into a car, so he could drive home in bad weather. It would also be very handy when flying to those small, interesting airports that are not served by Hertz, Enterprise or Avis..... I'm in the market once the price comes down to around $2000 for a used one (if I live that long)
    Cheers,
    Jerry

    NC22375
    65LA out of 07N Pennsylvania

  10. #10

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    Hi Zack, the flying motorcycle has been around for several years. Go the www.thebutterflyllc.com to see the super sky cycle.

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