Flying car runs on biofuel
The flying car is an engineering Holy Grail that has eluded inventors despite over half a century of work, but the most recent attempt by a small British team is based on simple parachute technology and arguably the most workable and green design yet.
Previous designs of flying car have been expensive, cumbersome and most have never gone beyond the prototype stage, but the Skycar designed by Gilo Cardozo will cost no more than a BMW saloon and has the advantage of using existing technology that is already tried and tested.
In road-going mode, the Skycar is little more than a two-seater kart powered by a motorcycle engine that has been modified to run on bioethanol. In order to fly the car relies on a flexible wing of the sort used by skydivers, and a large fan.
The Skycar’s abilities will be tested to limit later this month when two explorers set off from London in the propeller-powered dune buggy heading for the Sahara.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “It is unlikely that commuters will use the Skycar to beat rush hour jams, but it could provide a low-cost alternative to conventional aircraft for flying doctors and disaster relief workers in remote areas.”
| The Skycar’s performance | … at a glance |
|---|---|
| Range | 180 miles (flying) or 250 miles (driving) |
| Speed | 80mph (flying) and 110mph (driving) |
| Take-off speed | 35mph |
| Cruising altitude | 2,500ft |
| Cost | from £35,000 |
How does the Skycar work?
It is a little more involved than simply pushing a button on the dashboard and taking to the skies.
- The driver unpacks a parafoil wing and lays it out on the ground behind the car
- The car’s fan pushes the vehicle forward and at a speed of 35mph the Skycar takes off without any need for input from the driver
- Once airborne, pedals steer the Skycar by pulling cables that warp the shape of the wing
- In an emergency the Skycar should simply glide to earth. Alternatively the pilot can fire a roof-mounted emergency parachute that allows the car to float safely back to earth
Related article:
Aviation biofuel demand will outstrip supply
What is the ETA?
The ETA is a not-for-profit organisation providing motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and green insurance products. The ETA exists in order to campaign for sustainable transport – when you buy our services you help fund our charitable work.
