M400 Skycar Overview :
So much of the automotive industry runs on the fumes generated by hype; how much air can you blow? And it’s very easy, even for jaded industry veterans, to fall for it, generally because you want to believe. One look at the 4-passenger Moller M400 Skycar and we don’t much care who you are, this is a dynamo—hustler and hooker, the collective future cars dream.
Then we wake. And it’s a mess. Of the manufacturer’s claims quoted above, namely that the M400 is “feasible, personally affordable, personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle”, the one that is hardest to accept—and that almost ruins the dream for us—is the VTOL aspect. This technology requires an extraordinary amount of force and thrust. The manufacture claims it can achieve this with “a patented thrust deflection vane system that redirects thrust.” Could be, but to get an idea of how successful the far-better-funded US Army has been with VTOL, read about the V-22 Osprey. Or better yet, read about the RAF’s Harrier Jump Jet, with which the M400 claims some technological affinity.
Click for See Video Picture
M400 Skycar Specifications :
Manufacturer : Moller International
Type : Personal Air Vehicle (PAV)
Passengers : 4
Vertical takeoff and landing : Yes
Emergency parachutes : Yes
Fuel type : Ethanol
Noise level at 500 ft (Goal) : 65 dba
Dimensions (L x X x H) : 19.5’ x 8.5’ x 7.5’ and 5.9 x 2.6 x 2.3 m
Operational ceiling : 36,000 ft and 10,973 m
Takeoff and landing area : 35 ft dia and 10.7 m
Max speed @ 25,000’ (7620 m) : 330 mph and 531 km/h
Max speed @ S.L. : 360 mph and 579 km/h
Cruise speed @ 25,000 (7620 m) : 305 mph and 491 km/h
Rate of climb @ S.L. : 4,800 fpm and 1463 m/min
Max range (gasoline equiv) : 750 miles and 1207 km
Max mileage : > 20 mpg and > 8.5 km/litre
Max net payload : 750 lbs and 340 kg
Gross weight : 2,400 lbs and 1088 kg
Nominal Power (continuous) : 720 hp and 537 kW
Boost power avail : 1,155 hp and 861 kW
Disc loading : 140 lb/ft2 and 0.68 kg/m2
Maximum L/D : 12.5 and 12.5
So much of the automotive industry runs on the fumes generated by hype; how much air can you blow? And it’s very easy, even for jaded industry veterans, to fall for it, generally because you want to believe. One look at the 4-passenger Moller M400 Skycar and we don’t much care who you are, this is a dynamo—hustler and hooker, the collective future cars dream.
Then we wake. And it’s a mess. Of the manufacturer’s claims quoted above, namely that the M400 is “feasible, personally affordable, personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle”, the one that is hardest to accept—and that almost ruins the dream for us—is the VTOL aspect. This technology requires an extraordinary amount of force and thrust. The manufacture claims it can achieve this with “a patented thrust deflection vane system that redirects thrust.” Could be, but to get an idea of how successful the far-better-funded US Army has been with VTOL, read about the V-22 Osprey. Or better yet, read about the RAF’s Harrier Jump Jet, with which the M400 claims some technological affinity.
Click for See Video Picture
M400 Skycar Specifications :
Manufacturer : Moller International
Type : Personal Air Vehicle (PAV)
Passengers : 4
Vertical takeoff and landing : Yes
Emergency parachutes : Yes
Fuel type : Ethanol
Noise level at 500 ft (Goal) : 65 dba
Dimensions (L x X x H) : 19.5’ x 8.5’ x 7.5’ and 5.9 x 2.6 x 2.3 m
Operational ceiling : 36,000 ft and 10,973 m
Takeoff and landing area : 35 ft dia and 10.7 m
Max speed @ 25,000’ (7620 m) : 330 mph and 531 km/h
Max speed @ S.L. : 360 mph and 579 km/h
Cruise speed @ 25,000 (7620 m) : 305 mph and 491 km/h
Rate of climb @ S.L. : 4,800 fpm and 1463 m/min
Max range (gasoline equiv) : 750 miles and 1207 km
Max mileage : > 20 mpg and > 8.5 km/litre
Max net payload : 750 lbs and 340 kg
Gross weight : 2,400 lbs and 1088 kg
Nominal Power (continuous) : 720 hp and 537 kW
Boost power avail : 1,155 hp and 861 kW
Disc loading : 140 lb/ft2 and 0.68 kg/m2
Maximum L/D : 12.5 and 12.5
Source : Moller.com and Livescience.com
