The M400 Skycar is classified by the FAA as a "powered lift" vehicle.  The- 4 pairs of rotary engines with ducted fans produce 1200 hp which provide 2800 lb of thrust.

The four M400 engine nacelles each provide 700 lbs of vertical lift and together can lift the vehicle more than a mile in 60 seconds.

Moveable vanes mounted behind the engines direct thrust to control the direction of flight - vertical, horizontal, banking, turns, etc. No ailerons, flaps, or other external control surfaces are necessary.  The speed of each engine and the position of the vanes are the only control variables.

The vehicle's shape provides aerodynamic lift and good fuel economy when cruising. Only 4 of the 8 engines, operating at less than 2/3 capacity, would be needed to maintain cruising speed at altitudes below 10,000 ft.

The M400 uses gasoline.  Depending on altitude and cruise speed, the Skycar can be expected to get 18 to 22 mpg.  Each takeoff requires approximately 1/10 gallon of gas.  The M400's rotary engines will soon be capable of using other fuels, such as methanol, ethanol, jet fuel, diesel, liquid natural gas, and hydrogen.

The satellite-based Global Positioning System with emergency ground-based radio navigation will provide instant, accurate navigation.  An obstacle-avoidance radar looking forward and down can be added for safety.

Communications with a Skycar ground controller will be facilitated by automatic position reporting through efficient radio and satellite transmission.  Ground-to-Skycar and Skycar-to-Skycar communications will also be available from commercial cellular telephone and/or packet communication.

 

A practical Skycar can now be built

Moller's patented improvements to the rotary engine provides sufficient lift per pound of engine weight to permit making a practical 4-passenger Skycar.  Twenty five years ago, a similar vehicle design was tried by the Navy, the X22A.  Until the powerful, low cost and lightweight Moller engine was available, a practical ducted fan air vehicle could not be built.

Ducted Fans Were Too Large, Heavy, and Expensive 25 Years Ago

Avionics (computers, controls, radio communications, etc.) have evolved to the point of being light enough, cheap enough, and capable enough to control flight with multiple engines.  Avionics also provides obstacle avoidance, path planning and navigation.

The development of composite materials are now light-weight, strong, and avaiable in optimum aerodynamic shapes at reasonable cost.  Composite airframes have been used since the Learjet in 1981.

The M400 Skycar will be able to take off and land vertically with one engine inoperable, and can fly and land safely with several engines inoperable.  It has no component which can fail catastrophically, such as a helicopter's main rotor or small airplane's single engine.

Engines, computers, radios, radars, communications, and navigation systems all have emergency functionality, so the failure of a single part will not be flight-critical.

New, lightweight, inexpensive radars and quick maneuverability will allow the Skycar to operate safely close to buildings, power lines, trees, etc., and avoid aircraft.  Other aircraft will never have the maneuverability required for safe electronic piloting in close quarters or turbulent conditions.

A phased array radar capable of detecting wires and birds was demonstrated in the late 80’s which weighed only 52 lbs.  The manufacturer estimated that the production weight would be less than 30 pounds, and cost approximately $10,000.

Skycars are more like high-tech bats than conventional aircraft.  Both can land almost anywhere, quickly change direction, fly without crashing into other members of the flock, are not dependent on ground control, and are able to sense range to other objects.

The Skycar design permits very fast changes in speed and/or direction.  The thrust can be changed by 10% in velocity or direction in 1/10 of a second.

The M400 Skycar will be much less dangerous for bystanders than a helicopter or small airplane.  The whirling fan blades are contained in housings lined with kevlar.  Screens provide protection to passengers and vehicle even if the blades should self-destruct.

A computerized vehicle condition management system will constantly monitor engine and other functions and stress points on the Skycar, and warn of maintenance needed or impending failure.  A trip can be aborted safely if necessary, and another Skycar dispatched to pick up passengers.

The Skycar can land very quickly on almost any stable flat surface such as a parking lot or field.  The Skycar can also make an emergency landing at an airport.

Early in its development when a human pilot is required, the Skycar will be an extraordinarily safe small aircraft.

The Skycar will be even safer when full electronic piloting is added.  When added, pilots will not be required to make split-second decisions in difficult situations.  The combination of electronic pilot backed up by a ground controller will virtually eliminate errors made under conditions of fatigue, drunkenness, poor visibility, or distraction.

In the highly unlikely event that several engines fail, two ballistic parachutes on the airframe will prevent a fatal crash.  The Skycar's aerodynamic body provides a 9 to 1 glide slope for making an emergency landing at an airport or open area with parachutes.

If a parachute landing is needed over water the Skycar will float, enabling passengers to debark with life preservers.  The proposed design should be able to land and take off from water.

The Skycar will also be safer than an automobile because it is not limited to a single dimension for maneuvering.  It has no road edges, guard rails or slippery roads to avoid, no dangerous traffic congestion, and no mechanical failure or human error to contend with.

With the electronic pilot, the Skycar accident rate should be lower than for other aircraft.  The Skycar will react quickly, have more maneuverability, will follow safe electronic flight rules, will have radar observability for at least 5 miles ahead, and will have communication with other vehicles as well as with the ground controller.

 Next