Gilo Cardozo, a self-taught aviation engineer, inventor and founder of British-based Parajet has created a two-seat flying car.
The Skycar is powered by a modified 1000cc, four cylinder, 140hp, ethanol burning, Yamaha R1 superbike engine with a lightweight automatic CVT(continuously variable transmission) gear-box.
It has independent four wheel suspension and rear wheel drive. Road acceleration is 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 110 mph.
To convert to flight mode, the driver unfolds a para-foil wing from the trunk (boot) and attaches it to the rear of the car. He then flips a switch to change the transmission from road mode, which powers the wheels, to flight mode, which powers the rear fan.
Converting from “road mode” to “fly mode” and visa-versa takes about three minutes thanks to the flexible wing technology invented by Mike Campbell Jones, of Paramania Powergliders.
The fan’s thrust propels the car forward, providing lift for the wing as the car reaches a takeoff speed of 35 mph.
Once airborne, foot pedals move cables attached to the parafoil to direct the flight path.
Top air speed is 100 mph at altitudes of 2000 to 3000 feet. Maximum altitude is 15,000 ft. with a range of 180 miles.
The Skycar is also equipped with an roof-mounted ballistic parachute for emergencies.
Potential buyers will require a powered parachute license, rather than a pilots license, to fly a Skycar and the British government has approved the vehicle as street legal.
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