The PALV, standing for Personal Air Land Vehicle, is a
conceptual solution to traffic congestion.
The PALV was conceived by Dutchman John Bakker, who working
in conjunction with Spark design engineering and other
partners, has designed the PALV to be simple to operate
on both land and in the air.
Working on similar principles used in autogyros, the PALV
has a single main rotor creating lift, and a smaller push-style
rotor at the rear for thrust (which in turn creates lift).
This means the PALV only requires a very short space for
takeoff and landing.
Operating at heights below 4000 ft (1,500 m), flight plans
are not required, allowing the driver/pilot to takeoff,
travel, and land almost anywhere at anytime. Airborne
guidance is provided by 'digital freeways' using GPS technology
to provide directions and avoid collisions.
On the ground the rotors are folded neatly away, while
power for the 3-wheeled PALV comes from the same car-derived
petrol engine used in flight. By using a tilt mechanism
the PALV can corner much like a motorcycle by rotating
its body to lean in to the inside of corners.
Similar and related vehicles:
Moller M400 Skycar
Avrocar
Bell X-22
NASA AD-1
H-4 Spruce Goose
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