Shaun Fletcher 571 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Hello Folks, Strange little fellow this but I dont think I fancy the idea to much Any one give me a full description of the UFO below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Moller Skycar M400 The Moller Skycar is a prototype personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft — a "flying car" — called a "Volantor" by its inventor Paul Moller, who has been attempting to develop such vehicles for forty years.[2] The design calls for four ducted fans encasing the propellers, which prevents bystanders from being exposed to moving blades as well as improving aerodynamic efficiency at low speeds. Full Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britishairways777 1 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Moller M400 Skycar The craft said to be currently under development, the M400, is purported to ultimately transport four people; single-seat up to six-seat variations are also planned.[3] It is described as a car since it is aimed at being a popular means of transport for anyone who can drive, incorporating automated flight controls. It is proposed that in a model for the general public, the driver may only input direction and speed. Piloting knowledge would be unnecessary, however, training will be required. Further, developers claim that by using eight inexpensive Wankel rotary engines - compared to jet engines, the vehicle's price may eventually fall close to that of a luxury car ($100,000). The fuel consumption is claimed to be 20 miles per gallon[4][5] — similar to that of a big car— but this has been calculated as unrealistic.[6][7] According to the developers, operation of a Skycar will produce as much noise as traffic on a nearby freeway when taking off, and this will only last for a few seconds, because it climbs so quickly.[8] The Skycar demonstrated limited tethered flight capability in 2003 by hovering only.[9] Scheduled tethered flight tests, which were to occur in mid-2006, were apparently canceled. Moller upgraded the Skycar's engines in 2007, and the improved prototype is now called the "M400X".[10] According to a 2008 article in the media, a prototype is supposed to be flying in 2012, with certified versions "a few years later".[1] Moller International's website claims that only $100 Million has been spent in R & D at Moller International,[11] The company is also developing a more advanced model called M600, with an intended capacity for 6 passengers or a payload of about 2000 lbs (900 kg).[12] Operation A Skycar is not piloted like a traditional fixed wing airplane, and has only two hand-operated controls, which the pilot uses to inform the computer control system of his desired flight maneuvers.[13] The Skycar's ducted fans deflect air vertically for takeoff and horizontally for forward flight. [edit] Rotapower engines The engines to be used are being developed by a separate Moller company called Freedom Motors.[14] They are Wankel engines they call "Rotapower" which have a direct drive to a propulsion fan.[12][15] Each fan is contained in Kevlar-lined housings with intake screens to provide protection to bystanders.[12] The Skycar has four engine nacelles, each with two computer-controlled Rotapower engines. All eight engines operate independently and, allegedly, will allow for a vertical controlled landing should any one fail.[12] The Rotapower Wankel engine would have the ability to operate on any fuel.[15] Earlier Rotapower models used gasoline. [edit] Specifications Data from M400X Skycar Specifications [10] General characteristics Capacity: Four passengersLength: 19.5 ft (5.9 m)Wingspan: 8.5 ft (2.6 m)Height: 7.5 ft (2.3 m)Empty weight: 2,400 lbs (1088 kg)Useful load: 750 lbs (340 kg)Powerplant: 4× 'Rotapower' Wankel engines with ducted fans, 180 hp (134 kW) eachMaximum speed: 330 mph (531 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7620 m)Cruise speed: 305 mph (491 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7620 m)Service ceiling: 36,000 ft (10973 m)Rate of climb: 4,800 ft/min (1463 m/min) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAPTEJNLN 237 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 lol close race :-) but Paul G seems to have the right 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Only a minute difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britishairways777 1 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Congratulations Paul, you beat me by two minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britishairways777 1 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Edit: Post deleted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 On the snippet if you look at the top you'll notice the wing folding axis. Congratulations Paul, you beat me by two minutes. We both knew what it was the moment we saw the image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britishairways777 1 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 We both knew what it was the moment we saw the image. Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 There's been a few post edits happening... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britishairways777 1 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 There's been a few post edits happening... Ohh now I see, the snippet is showing the main wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAPTEJNLN 237 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 here is a bit more specific info: Moller International has developed the first and only feasible, personally affordable, personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle the world has ever seen.You've always known it was just a matter of time before the world demanded some kind of flying machine which would replace the automobile. Of course, this machine would have to be capable of VTOL, be easy to maintain, cost effective and reliable. Well, we at Moller International believe we have come up with the solution. That solution is the volantor named M400 Skycar. Let's compare the M400 Skycar with what's available now, the automobile. Take the most technologically advanced automobile, the Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, Lamborghini, or the more affordable Acura, Accord, or the like. It seems like all of the manufacturers of these cars are touting the new and greatly improved "aerodynamics" of their cars. Those in the aerospace industry have been dealing with aerodynamics from the start. In the auto industry they boast of aerodynamics, performance tuned wide track suspensions, electronic ignition and fuel injection systems, computer controllers, and the list goes on. What good does all this "advanced engineering" do for you when the speed limit is around 60 MPH and you are stuck on crowded freeways anyway? Can any automobile give you this scenario? From your garage to your destination, the M400 Skycar can cruise comfortably at 275 MPH (maximum speed of 375 MPH) and achieve up to 20 miles per gallon on clean burning, ethanol fuel. No traffic, no red lights, no speeding tickets. Just quiet direct transportation from point A to point B in a fraction of the time. Three dimensional mobility in place of two dimensional immobility. No matter how you look at it the automobile is only an interim step on our evolutionary path to independence from gravity. That's all it will ever be. Moller International's M400 Skycar volantor is the next step. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Skycar volantor developed by Moller International is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) much as a helicopter and flies from point of departure to destination much like an airplane. However, the Skycar volantor is uniquely qualified to travel short distances on the ground as an automobile as well. All this and incredibly, its easy to fly! Actually a computer does the flying. The pilot need only move the controls in the direction he wants to go so that little skill is required. (Still for the time being, the operator will need to have a private pilot's license until the ease of operation and safety are thoroughly demonstrated.) The Moller Skycar is a volantor capable of these remarkable achievements through the use of an arrangement (array - collection - grouping) of proprietary technologies. Favorable power to weight ratio is the basic qualification for VTOL. However, in order to create a safe, environmentally responsible and economically feasible method of transportation Moller International had to take into consideration a number of components including airframe and engines. and here is if some body wants to se some videos on how it works: http://www.moller.co...id=76&Itemid=79 for more info visit http://www.moller.com/ wher the data is from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 And now we wait for Shaun... Who has gone offline Subscribing to topic till Shaun gives the final word... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAPTEJNLN 237 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 lol dont worry and it could be later today or be tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Fletcher 571 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 Hello Folks, Yes Paul G is the winner Now what about one of them breaking down and coming through your bedroom ceiling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Hello Folks, Yes Paul G is the winner I know the basic gist of how to place an order for contest winnings but... erm, can you mail me on what I need to put in the comment box. Just need to make a decision on what to get oh this hard... what to pick, what to pick Now what about one of them breaking down and coming through your bedroom ceiling Hope the thing has a good glide ratio and the FBW still works... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul G 13 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 What to pick, what to pick Cat, Tilt Rotor, Jay Hawk, Do-27, Piper Cheyenne, or the Beaver, UGH I can't decide Ok, made up my mind, went for the Tilt Rotor... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennart B. 6 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Ok, made up my mind, went for the Tilt Rotor... Hehe, kind of matches pretty well here, I guess! Congrats to a nice win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Fletcher 571 Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Hello Folks, yes all to quick that one, next week possibly a picture of a rivet will be all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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