Dutch Flying Car Manufacturer Introduces New Commercial Design, The PAL-V Liberty

According to Dutch "flying car" designer PAL-V, its new 'Liberty' model represents a big step forward in aesthetics and safety from its "proof of concept" vehicle. The crux of getting a flying car into commercial production has been to design a vehicle that fits the current regulations ... which PAL-V says all of its competitors have strayed from.

"For the design of the PAL-V Liberty our design team partnered with a leading Italian design agency. Furthermore we have implemented significant safety and ergonomic upgrades to our vehicle," stated PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse. "The first reactions of early stage buyers in private showings have been very positive."

Since 1999 the company has been developing, patenting and proving basic technologies for the launch of a flying car. This led to the flight testing of its proof of concept vehicle, the PAL-V ONE,  more than 4 years ago. Since then it has been silently but diligently working on the commercial version. It is now releasing the first image of its commercial model: the PAL-V Liberty.

Pal-V now employs over 50 people and is preparing for the first preproduction series. It cooperates with leading institutes and world class companies. It is planning to reveal the physical model of the PAL-V Liberty in the beginning of next year.

Unlike all others, from the start the company has been focused on creating a product within existing regulations. It is very advanced now in certifying the product in Europe under EASA CS 27 regulations. Once finalized this will allow them to certify under FAR 27 regulations on this side of the Atlantic.

"We have recently started talking to buyers and have the first contracts in place and a lot of interest," said Mark Jennings-Bates, VP Sales in North America. "We anticipate deliveries of a certified PAL-V in North America to happen in 2018." For now, the North American business development team has been meeting clients one on one but Jennings-Bates expects that to change in the next few months. "Typically, European businesses take a different approach than North American counterparts. Before making an announcement, PAL-V has made sure that all the checks are in the boxes. That is why Top Gear coined the phrase 'the world's first plausible flying car'," added Andre Voskuil, VP Business Development for Pal-Vin North America.

Some of the significant design changes include a double redundant drive train powering the PAL-V Liberty which gives increased security in flight. After listening to customer feedback, the seating arrangement is changed to sitting side by side for a more social experience for the passenger. The redesigned body in combination with a further improved tilting system allowed the company to optimize the amount of chassis tilt for stable driving at higher speeds.

For ease of operation as well as flight safety the company chose the gyroplane aviation platform. Great fun to fly, the easiest to learn and a very high level of inherent safety.

But as you might expect ... the aircraft is far from being an "everyman's" flying car. Option to Purchase contracts for the PAL-V Liberty Limited Pioneer Edition, which is anticipated to cost $599,000, are currently available in very limited quantities. A unique vehicle of which only 25 will become available for the US.

The dream of a flying car is now becoming reality. Leave home and fly-drive to almost any destination. Avoid traffic jams and cross obstacles such as lakes, fjords, rivers or mountain ranges ... and touch down on the other side and drive to your final destination. PAL-V says the Liberty combines in one vehicle the freedom and excitement of flying with the choice of breathtaking driving performance on the roads and highways.

(Image provided with PAL-V news release)

FMI: www.PAL-V.com