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Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of fuel does the SkyCar use ?
The SkyCar uses ethanol. It also can run on methanol, gasoline and even on hydrogen. www.ethanol.org
- Is SkyCar listed on the stock market ?
Yes it’s being listed on the US stock market. You can look up our stock price at the pinksheets. http://www.pinksheets.com/pink/quote/quote.jsp?symbol=MLER
- Why does the SkyCar use tethered test flights ?
Yes, how to deal with tethered flights. On one hand tethers are good because if you have a problem in flight the tethers often eliminate or significantly reduce the consequences. Unfortunately, they can also make flying the SkyCar extremely difficult. We recently determined that our ground tethers were over-constraining the vehicle during both above-ground and in ground effect lift-off tests. We have devised a new set of tethers and eliminated others entirely to give us more freedom during take-off. This has allowed us to obtain several lift-offs with significantly lower power levels. Lift-off now occurs with engines running at 6500 rpm rather than over 7000 rpm. In addition to the significant increase in reserve power, the drop in nominal operating range ensures the engines will run cooler and require less frequent maintainance. We have had numerous flights out of ground effect with flight durations continuing to increase.
- Does SkyCar Europe has an airport facility ?
Recently SkyCar branched out to an European site on the airport of Lelystad, Netherlands. It is located northeast of Amsterdam and is a 5 minute flight by SkyCar or 30 minutes drive by a conventional autocar. For more information about Lelystad Airport please click on the website: www.lelystadairport.nl/Home
- Will I need a license to pilot a SkyCar ?
And what is the age limit to drive or fly a SkyCar ?
Currently the SkyCar is categorized as a “powered-lift normal” aircraft by the FAA. This means that, yes, you will require a “powered-lift normal” category pilot’s license to operate a SkyCar. However, it is our intention that the volantor will eventually evolve into a completely automated form of transportation making you a passenger – not a pilot/driver. At that point, no pilot’s license would be required. The age limit in the USA is 16 years and in Europe 18 years. Take also a look at www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates
- Do children believe in the SkyCar ? Geloven kinderen in de SkyCar ?
The Dutch language is being used here because of a survey done by a Dutch Institution. Scholieren geloven in luchtmobielen. Leerlingen van de hoogste groepen van de Nederlandse basisscholen denken dat het verkeer zich over 18 jaar voornamelijk door de lucht voortbeweegt. Luchtscooters, vliegende auto’s en spacebussen moeten een einde maken aan het fileleed. Dat beeld komt naar voren in de inzendingen van een verkeerswedstrijd die werd uitgeschreven door het Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen (CBR). De leerlingen van de groepen zes, zeven en acht kregen de opdracht het verkeersbeeld van 2027 te schetsen. Naast de luchtmobielen kozen de kinderen voor auto’s die onder de grond kunnen rijden, rolbanen voor voetgangers en verkeerslichten op zonne-energie. De eerste prijs van de wedstrijd ging naar basisschool Heilig Hart uit Valkenburg aan de Geul. De leerlingen van groep zeven maakten een videoband met een nieuwsuitzending uit 2008. Hierin wordt de uitvinding van een brandstof bekendgemaakt die een oplossing vormt voor de ernstig beschadigde ozonlaag. Ook staan er beelden op de band van schaalmodellen van zelfgemaakte voertuigen die het straatbeeld over 18 jaar zullen bepalen. Zie ook: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_car_(aircraft
- Do you have references to the SkyCar development ?
Yes, we do have key references to the SkyCar development. Dr. Dennis Bushnell – Chief Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center: “The volantor (SkyCar) will do for car-based society what the car did for horse-based society. It is the right solution at the right time”. He goes on to add, “It is not a question of if but when the market for Moller vehicles will be about $ 1 trillion a year”.Bruce Holmes – Manager, General Aviation Office, NASA Langley Research Center: “Once we have the infrastructure then Moller’s SkyCar has a place to grow into. Various organizations including NASA, the FAA, the Department of Transportation, individual States and aviation industry groups are developing a small aircraft transportation system. Dr. John Zuk – Chief, Advanced Plans and Programs, NASA Ames: “This is extremely significant”, says Dr. Zuk. “It’s really a breakthrough for the type and concept and it has merits from a cost standpoint that show promise to be a future personal transportation system. It’s true first”. Dr. Zuk goes on to say, “Moller is different. He’s got academic credentials. He’s thorough”. Henry Lahore – Project leader of an extensive SkyCar study undertaken by Boeing Aircraft: “With the developing airspace infrastructure in place, the SkyCar will become a widely used unpiloted air-taxi. This is the only known commuter vehicle that can move large numbers of people very quickly and safely and still let them conveniently choose their departure point, departure time and destination”.
- Did the SkyCar get any press attention ?
Yes, a lot of free publicity. Below, a list of press articles in the Netherlands. For press articles in the English language take a look at: www.moller.com/articles.htm 1987, mei, Kijk, Dan maar liever de lucht in. 1989, maart, Playboy, Verrassende blik in de etalage van de toekomst. Dit koop je morgen. 1989, Playboy, Zweefmobiel. 1990, maart, Panorama, Vliegend langs de files. 1991, januari, NRC, Eindelijk: de vliegende Volkswagen. 1992, januari, Tape Club Magazine, De VW van de toekomst. Utopie of realiteit ? 1992, oktober, Auto Select, Vliegende auto wordt werkelijkheid. Luchtig automobilisme. 1995, juni, Show met SkyCar prototype in het Aviodome te Schiphol. 1995, juni, Telegraaf, SkyCar, de ‘auto’ voor de rijken in de 21e eeuw. 1995, juni, Brabants Nieuwsblad, Volantor bij Aviodome. 1995, juni, Gooi- en Eemlander, Luchtvaart op belangrijk kruispunt. Met vliegende auto naar werkplek toe. 1995, juli, Autovisie, SkyCar. 1997, maart, Nuon Nieuwsblad, Vliegauto. 1999, februari, Financieel Dagblad, Vliegende auto is niet langer science fiction. 1999, maart, Promo Tour SkyCar. 1999, juni, Telegraaf, Auto gaat vliegen. SkyCar: Een vliegende auto. 1999, September, FEM de Week, Thunderbirds are go. Invoegen op 1,5 kilometer hoogte. 1999, September, Quote, SkyCar laagvlieger. 2000, maart, Shell Nieuwsblad, Toekomst. 2001, maart, Telegraaf, SkyCar Sydney Show, 2001, augustus, Telegraaf, Vliegende auto in productie. SkyCar kost 1,25 mln. 2001, september, De Ingenieur, Vliegend naar je werk. Vliegauto haalt 560 mk/uur. Ultieme vrijheid. 2001, oktober, Geld & Beleggen, Dan liever de lucht in. 2003, maart, Avia, Vervangt de SkyCar straks de auto ? 2004, mei, Gooi- en Eemlander, Project SkyCar. 2004, june, Business Week, Got a spare $ 500.000 for a flying car ? 2004, december, Quest, Cover Story, Vliegende auto voor de deur 2054. 2005, january, Popular Science, Cover Story, Will it fly ? 2005, maart, Radio Interview, Bayerische Rundfunk, Notizbuch. 2005, oktober, KLM Holland Herald, Tomorrow’s Gizmos. 2005, oktober, Kijk, De wereld in 2035. 2005, december, Neiman Marcus, The Christmas Book, Wow Gifts, Give them something to talk about. 2006, januari, Quote, M400 SkyCar. 2006, juni, Gooi- en Eemland Business, Heliports van levensbelang. 2006, augustus, Telegraaf, Vlucht uit de file.
- I’am interested in the SkyCar. How can I buy one ?
If you are interested in the SkyCar, you can mail your name, address and date of birth and town or post it to PO Box 1531, 1200 BM Hilversum, Netherlands, Europe. If you want to buy one, you have to wire a 5000 euro deposit to our account 33.49.99.820 at RaboBank Laren NH, Netherlands in the name of EuroFlight BV. Please state clearly that your transfer concerns a SkyCar or other related Moller products deposit and your address details. Upon receipt we will contact you promptly. At the time when the SkyCar will come out of the factory, the SkyCar will be yours. The person who deposits first will get the first SkyCar. The first in out principle.
- Who’s interested in buying a SkyCar ?
1. Police and ambulance transportation. 2. Military use. 3. Border patrol. 4. Environment and traffic inspection. 5. VIP and parcel transportation. 6. Gathering news items and broadcasting. 7. Replacement or alternative of an autocar.
- Why does it take so long before a SkyCar comes to production levels ?
It does take so long because of: 1. Research and development. 2. Product liability. 3. Certification. 4. Release of airways by the government. 5. Take-off and landing not yet possible outside airports and heliports.
- What is the maximum speed of the SkyCar ?
The maximum speed is 630 km/hour. The SkyCar has a cruising speed of 560 km/hour. The average speed will be 485 km/hour.
Where can I see a prototype of the SkyCar ? EuroFlight organizes trips to the Moller Aircraft Company in California on a regular basis. If you are interested in visiting the Moller facilities and see by yourself the advantages of this magnificient vehicle register yourself on our mailinglist or better send an email straightaway.
I would like to stay informed about EuroFlight and the SkyCar send us an email.
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