Modern-Aviation

The Moller Skycar 400 really does look like something out of the future. It's in an operational prototype stage at the moment, so it may not be long before you see one in the sky. It's capable of taking off and landing vertically and has eight engines to allow for any engine failures, which of course there will be hopefully be none. Putting a price on the Skycar 400 is tricky, although one did have a reserve price of $3.5 million at auction. It didn't sell.

Skycar® 400 Targeted Performance

VTOL Configuration: Four thrust-vectoring nacelles with two counter-rotating Rotapower® engines per nacelle. Hybrid design configurations are currently under development

General Characteristics
Passengers: 2+2
Emergency Airframe Parachutes: Yes
Fuel Type: Ethanol
Noise Level at 500ft (Goal): 65 dBA
Dimensions (L x W x H): 21.5’ x 8.5’ x 7.5’
Operational ceiling: 36,000 ft
Takeoff and landing area: 35 ft dia
Max speed @sea-level: 331 mph
Cruise Max speed @20,000 ft 308 mph
Rate of climb @sea-level: 4,800 fpm
Endurance: 5.9 hours
Disc loading: 140 lb/ft2
Range @ 131 mph (21.3 mpg) 805 miles
Net payload: 720 lbs
Gross weight: 2,400 lbs
Continuous Engine Power (Total): 720 hp
Maximum Lift/Drag: 12.5

The Skycar® 400 is the 5th generation of VTOL aircraft developed by Dr. Paul Moller and is now in the “operational prototype” stage. The Skycar® combines the high-speed capabilities of a fixed wing aircraft with the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter. Its ducted fans provide lift and propulsion without the dangers of exposed rotor blades and high maintenance costs of rotary-winged aircraft. The vehicle employs state-of-the-art fly-by-wire computer technology to monitor, control, and maintain stability of the aircraft, while simultaneously making it simple and easy to operate.

In the future, passengers will not be required to fly the aircraft, as the Skycar® will be an autonomous aircraft utilizing advanced onboard environment scanning and precise positioning systems, the highway-in-the-sky (HITS) and automated air traffic control in order to fly between destinations and avoid other air-traffic.