Tue, Jan 21, 2014
Designer Has Been Working On Concept Since The 1990s
The Terrafugia Transition is not the only roadable airplane that may one day be bridge the gap between car and aircraft. In Slovakia, engineer and designer Stefan Klein has since the early 1990s been working on his Aeromobil Roadable Aircraft, and has conducted short flights in ground effect with a recent version of the vehicle.
The vehicle has some design similarities with the Transition. It has two seats and folding wings like the U.S.-designed aircraft. It is about 20 feet long, and is powered by a Rotax 912 engine. Aeromobil says on its website that the aircraft will cruise at about 100 mph and have a range of about 310 miles. It is built of a steel frame with a carbon fiber skin. It has an empty weight of 992 pounds, according to the company, which did not publish other performance specifications. It is designed to qualify as an "ultralight" under Slovak aviation rules.
The Aeromobil's wings fold back and become the body of the car when it is on the road, giving it a sleeker appearance than the Transition.
A YouTube video released by the company shows the airplane, which is "version 2.5" according to the company, driving to an airport and then making a low-altitude flight along a runway. It appears that the flight is completed entirely in ground effect.
Klein told the French news service AFP that he is currently developing "version 3.0" of the roadable aircraft, which he plans to begin producing in the next few months with a goal of achieving Solvak Ultra Light aircraft Certification. To operate the vehicle, at least in Slovakia, the driver/pilot would need to hold both a driver's license and a pilot certificate.
(Images from YouTube video)
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]