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)
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