Dutch Flying Car Readies for Takeoff

PAL-V May Be the Flying Car Closest to Public Availability

Source:  PAL-V

Driving on Roads in the Netherlands in August

In August, the Dutch flying car company PAL-V will be allowed to drive the flying/driving vehicle on roads in the Netherlands for the first time.  The National Road Traffic Agency is currently performing its last round of inspections before the PAL-V joins regular highway traffic.  This is a major step forward toward making the PAL-V available for commercialization and deliveries to the public.  PAL-V appears to be at the head of the pack in the emerging flying car industry.  This vehicle could also be on the roads of New Hampshire in the US.  NH has just passed landmark legislation in the US allowing flying cars to drive on its public roads.  PAL-V's US office is located at Manchester Airport in New Hampshire.

Public Availability

The PAL-V company (Personal Air Land Vehicle) says the flying car will be available to the public in 2021.  It expects to start commercial production in mid-2021.  The company says it has already sold 100 vehicles, including 40 in the Netherlands.  There are two models to choose from.  The PAL-V Liberty Sports Edition costs $352,311 (299,000 euros).  And the Pioneer Edition costs $587,971 (499,000 euros).

Needed: Driver and Pilot License

To operate the vehicle, you'll need both a drivers and pilot's license.

As a driving vehicle, the PAL-V has a capacity for 2 people, a 100 horsepower engine and a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 kph). As a flying vehicle, it works on a 200 horsepower engine, with a maximum speed of 112 mph (180 kph), a maximum range of 312 miles (500 kilometers) and maximum endurance of 4.3 hours.  The company thought it would have been selling and delivering the PAL-V to the public in 2019 but the regulatory process took a lot longer than expected.  In fact, in some cases, there were no procedures and standards for a vehicle like the PAL-V.  New regulations had to be written.