Interested to find out more about this unique vehicle I was lucky enough to interview a University feasibility study engineer working with Moller,this is how it went-
SM-This has got to be the most exciting project aimed at getting the man in the street off the ground and away from the traffic jams in recent years,why did you select the pure VTOL concept as opposed to normal rotary flight ?
ME-Helicopters are one way to travel but not the ultimate in personal transport,what Moller are developing is a different approach by offering a perfectly practical multi passenger vehicle that can be safgely operated from a small area,without the hassle of rotor blades.
SM-How long has the project been going ?
ME-Far longer than people think,Moller have been slowly but surely developing the Skycar for the past 15 years.
SM-So why has it taken so long to get to the prototype stage ?
ME-Well new technology demands new ideas to be put into place,treading slowly but surely to get the best possible features incorporated into the Skycar concept,things are speeding up now that a full sized prototype is flying albeit under safety tether.
SM-The proposed over lake test programme is unique,is there a god reason for this ?
ME-Yes to get the very best from the testing programme,the aircraft will be flown low down under ground effect,a bit like an hovercraft but at 50 feet from the ground.
SM-How long do you think it will be before we see these machines flitting across the skies ?
ME-Well if the certification programme goes well then it could be far sooner that you think,at least by the year 2010.
SM-What about navigating these machines,how will that be achieved ?
ME-The Skycar will have sophisticated navigational aids enabling it to be flown down its very own airways which it locks onto automatically,this is something that also is quite unique.
SM-How do you think the various aviation authorities will take to that ?
ME-They are already aware of the immense increase in general aviation traffic throughout the world,and the need for something to be done about it,similar systems are already planned for the future,the Skycar literally travels down a set route unique to that machine,it just has to come along,also the Skycar travels low down below normal air traffic.
SM-So what about training ? are there any plans to set up specialised training schools ?
ME-Yes indeed,a worlwide set up in fact,you will be able to purchase your machine straight from a dealer who will offer specialised VTOL training,much like helicopter schools but aimed at the Skycar.
SM-You seem to be very confident that there will be a market,how much market research has been done on this ?
ME-The market is immense,market research tells us that there is a big demand for hassle free point to point personal travel above the motorways,and once more people will pay for that privalige.
SM-Do you see larger Skycars being developed in the near future ?
ME-The plans at the moment are for the M400 which is a 4 seater machine,there is nothing in place at the moment for anything larger,but it could happen,who knows ?
SM-Well thank you for your valuable time,the project sounds fascinating and I wish you the very best with future developments,in fact I look forward to it like many others with great interest.
SM-This has got to be the most exciting project aimed at getting the man in the street off the ground and away from the traffic jams in recent years,why did you select the pure VTOL concept as opposed to normal rotary flight ?
ME-Helicopters are one way to travel but not the ultimate in personal transport,what Moller are developing is a different approach by offering a perfectly practical multi passenger vehicle that can be safgely operated from a small area,without the hassle of rotor blades.
SM-How long has the project been going ?
ME-Far longer than people think,Moller have been slowly but surely developing the Skycar for the past 15 years.
SM-So why has it taken so long to get to the prototype stage ?
ME-Well new technology demands new ideas to be put into place,treading slowly but surely to get the best possible features incorporated into the Skycar concept,things are speeding up now that a full sized prototype is flying albeit under safety tether.
SM-The proposed over lake test programme is unique,is there a god reason for this ?
ME-Yes to get the very best from the testing programme,the aircraft will be flown low down under ground effect,a bit like an hovercraft but at 50 feet from the ground.
SM-How long do you think it will be before we see these machines flitting across the skies ?
ME-Well if the certification programme goes well then it could be far sooner that you think,at least by the year 2010.
SM-What about navigating these machines,how will that be achieved ?
ME-The Skycar will have sophisticated navigational aids enabling it to be flown down its very own airways which it locks onto automatically,this is something that also is quite unique.
SM-How do you think the various aviation authorities will take to that ?
ME-They are already aware of the immense increase in general aviation traffic throughout the world,and the need for something to be done about it,similar systems are already planned for the future,the Skycar literally travels down a set route unique to that machine,it just has to come along,also the Skycar travels low down below normal air traffic.
SM-So what about training ? are there any plans to set up specialised training schools ?
ME-Yes indeed,a worlwide set up in fact,you will be able to purchase your machine straight from a dealer who will offer specialised VTOL training,much like helicopter schools but aimed at the Skycar.
SM-You seem to be very confident that there will be a market,how much market research has been done on this ?
ME-The market is immense,market research tells us that there is a big demand for hassle free point to point personal travel above the motorways,and once more people will pay for that privalige.
SM-Do you see larger Skycars being developed in the near future ?
ME-The plans at the moment are for the M400 which is a 4 seater machine,there is nothing in place at the moment for anything larger,but it could happen,who knows ?
SM-Well thank you for your valuable time,the project sounds fascinating and I wish you the very best with future developments,in fact I look forward to it like many others with great interest.