Flying cars aren’t as out of reach as you might think – the PAL-V Liberty, for instance, is a real physical thing you can see and touch at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The production version of the aerocar is on display for the first time ever at the show, and we got a chance to take a look.
The PAL-V Liberty looks like more car than aircraft, though it feels like something that you might expect to find at a super specialist racing circuit, rather than on the road. The narrow body features two side-by-side seats up front, a tricycle design and a rotor which unfolds mounted on top for the flying bit of the equation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
The car features a dual engine design, using one for road and one for doing through the air, and it’s actually based on a classic style of aircraft design, called a ‘gyroplane’ which is a proven way of navigating the skies. The PAL-V Liberty is also actually certified to fly under the rules of both the EASA in Europe and the FAA in the U.S., and complies with road safety regulations, too.
You’ll still need a pilot’s license to fly the PAL-V Liberty, and it needs a small airfield or airstrip to take off and land. It converts from flying to driving mode and vice versa in between five to 10 minutes, however, so as long as you have the room it won’t take you long to go between modes.
Pricing for the PAL-V starts at $400,000, so aside from being qualified you’ll also need considerable bank to participate. The company hopes to be able to begin handing over keys to its first pre-order customers in 2019, once all its certifications are complete.