6/1/13Moller M400 Skycar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Moller M400 Skycar From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Moller Skycar is a prototype personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft – a "flying car" – invented by Paul Moller who has been attempting to develop such vehicles for fifty years.[2] Skycar M400 Role Manufacturer Designer Status Unit cost Flying car (aircraft) Moller International Paul Moller Under development US$500,000 (estimated)[1] Contents 1 Description 2 Operation 3 Rotapower engines 4 Variants 5 Specifications (M400X Skycar) 6 Criticism 7 Pre-sales 8 SEC complaint 9 Popular culture 10 See also 11 References 12 External links Moller Skycar M400 Description The craft said to be currently under development, the M400, is purported to ultimately transport four people; single-seat up to sixseat variations are also planned.[3] It is described as a car since it is aimed at being a popular means of transport for anyone who can drive, incorporating automated flight controls, with the driver only inputting direction and speed required. The Skycar demonstrated limited tethered flight capability in 2003 by hovering only.[4] No subsequent testing has occurred, although public demonstrations have been announced and then cancelled.[5] Moller International's website claims that $100 Million has been spent in R & D at Moller International.[6] Operation A poster advertising the Skycar en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moller_M400_Skycar 1/4 [8] They are Wankel engines they call "Rotapower" which have a direct drive to a propulsion fan. The ducted fans also encase the propellers. Variants Moller M150 Skycar The initial single seat technology demonstrator. which prevents bystanders from being exposed to moving blades as well as improving aerodynamic efficiency at low speeds.6 m) Height: 7 ft 6 in (2. which the pilot uses to inform the computer control system of her or his desired flight maneuvers.9 m) Wingspan: 8 ft 6 in (2.088 kg) Powerplant: 4 × Rotapower 500 Wankel rotary engines.000 ft (10. each with two computer-controlled Rotapower engines.800 ft/min (24.400 lb (1.[7] The Skycar's ducted fans deflect air vertically for takeoff and horizontally for forward flight. allegedly. 180 hp (134 kW) each Performance Maximum speed: 330 mph (531 km/h) Cruise speed: 305 mph (491 km/h) Service ceiling: 36.6/1/13 Moller M400 Skycar .[9] The Rotapower Wankel engine would have the ability to operate on any fuel. Rotapower engines The engines to be used are being developed by a separate Moller company called Freedom Motors.973 m) Rate of climb: 4. incorporating the fuselage of a Bede BD-5 with two of Mollers ducted fan propulsor units.3 m) Empty weight: 2.38 m/s) en. the free encyclopedia A Skycar is not piloted like a traditional fixed wing airplane. will allow for a vertical controlled landing should any one fail.wikipedia. All eight engines operate independently and.[9] The Skycar has four engine nacelles. and has only two hand-operated controls.org/wiki/Moller_M400_Skycar 2/4 . Moller M400 Skycar The proposed production version powered by four Moller propulsors incorporating Rotapower 500 wankel rotary engines Moller M600 Skycar Proposed further development of the Skycar series Specifications (M400X Skycar) Data from [11] General characteristics Crew: 1 Capacity: 3 Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.[10] Earlier Rotapower models used gasoline.Wikipedia.[9][10] Each fan is contained in Kevlar-lined housings with intake screens to provide protection to bystanders. Moller.networkperformancedaily. the free encyclopedia Criticism The only flight demonstrations have been hover tests performed in 2003 by a Skycar prototype that for insurance reasons was tethered to a crane. ^ "What a way to fly! Avoid the traffic with a Skycar" (http://www.co.simonwhatley.html). Defendants) in connection with the sale of unregistered stock. Moller settled this lawsuit by agreeing to a permanent injunction and paying $50.000.dailymail. 2008.uk/sciencetech/article1088843/What-way-fly-Avoid-traffic-Skycar. that the reserve price had been $3. It failed to sell. Moller reported at the annual meeting of stockholders on October 21. Moller International.[14] A previous attempt in 2003 to sell the M400 via eBay was also unsuccessful.500. Inc. and Paul S.co.php?) en. ^ Paul Moller and his flying car (http://www.[16] In the words of the SEC complaint. ^ Interview with Paul Moller about future cars (http://www. ^ option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=93#4.com/2007/08/just_too_cool_interview_podcas. 2006 in Davis.[12] The ongoing failure of the Moller company to actually fly an M400 led the National Post to characterize the Skycar as a 'failure'.moller.[15] SEC complaint In 2003. 2. November 24. 2007) 4. "As of late 2002.wikipedia. It was also featured in the 2010 made for TV family movie The Jensen Project with LeVar Burton and Kellie Martin. ^ Skycar tethered test (http://www. Daily Mail Online. and for making unsubstantiated claims about the performance of the Skycar.org/wiki/Moller_M400_Skycar 3/4 .com/index.marketwatch. MI's approximately 40 years' [sic] of development has resulted in a prototype Skycar capable of hovering about fifteen feet above the ground.html) (August 3. Moller attempted to auction the only prototype of its M400 model on eBay.2 M400 Skycar FAQ . The highest bid was $3.[17] See also Bell X-22A M200G Volantor Moller M200X References 1. California. the Securities and Exchange Commission sued Moller for civil fraud (Securities And Exchange Commission v. the Skycar was featured in Atlantis Found by Clive Cussler."[16] Popular culture In 1999.000.downside.uk/moller-skycar) 5..com/scams/moller/) 3.100. being flown by the novel's protagonists Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino. ^ [1] (http://www.com/story/moller-international-inc-postpones-first-manned-untethered-flightof-the-m400x-moller-skycarr-2011-09-27) 6. Retrieved 201003-02. and to describe the Moller company as "no longer believable enough to gain investors".Moller International (http://www.000.6/1/13 Moller M400 Skycar .Wikipedia.[13] Pre-sales In October 2006. ^ Test (http://www.moller.. 11. Retrieved 2010-03-03. en.php?) ^ Operation (http://www. 15. Moller.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61) ^ Freedom Motors (http://www.moller. (http://www. and Paul S.moller.org/w/index.com/cars/story.com/scams/moller) "Seven Flights of Fancy that Fizzled" .com/index.com ^ "The Skycar: Transportation of the Future" (http://www.MSNBC (http://www. 2010. the free encyclopedia External links Moller International (http://www.freedom-motors. a non-profit organization.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=58).sec. you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. "Flying cars".nationalpost. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.htm) ^ Grainger.moller. January 14. Moller International.moller.Wikipedia...moller. the South African agent to Moller International (http://www.com/files/DEC2006CAMPInSightMollerreprint. Moller M400 Skycar . Retrieved 2010-03-03. 13.org/Moller_International) Retrieved from "http://en.S.com/test.msnbc.downside. Inc. 16.com/index.com/images/pdf/TXposter. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation.msn.php?title=Moller_M400_Skycar&oldid=556765585" Categories: VTOL aircraft Roadable aircraft Ducted fan-powered aircraft This page was last modified on 25 May 2013 at 19:04.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17987.) ^ "eBay Watch: Moller M400X Skycar prototype" (http://www.moller.wikipedia. By using this site. Inc.com/news/concept-cars/ebaywatch-moller-m400x-skycar-prototype/) from MotorAuthority.com/index.motorauthority. 9. Moller. 10.moller.com/go/1378/1/) Davis California Wiki (http://daviswiki.za/) Moller Discojet brochure from 1974 (http://www.skycar.moller.org/wiki/Moller_M400_Skycar 4/4 . 12.com/) Skycar Africa (Pty) Ltd. ^ a b Rotapower Engine Technology (http://www.html? id=1486209. Moller International.pdf) from official Moller website (PDF file) ^ a b Securities And Exchange Commission v.com/) ^ a b c "The Skycar Volantor" (http://www.htm) from the U.com/index. 14.wikipedia.com/index. Defendants (http://www.pdf) (PDF).co.gizmag.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149:the-jensenproject&catid=35:moller-news). additional terms may apply. David. Securities and Exchange Commission website ^ "Moller International Skycar to be Featured in NBC’s The Jensen Project" (http://www. April 11. 17.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=72) ^ "M400X Skycar Specs" (http://www. Moller International. 2010. National Post.6/1/13 7. 8.com/id/3475918) Gizmag (http://www. 2009 (http://www.
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