Raphael Thys
RAAMSDONKSVEER, Netherlands—Pal-V says it will begin serial production of the world’s first combined road/air vehicle, called the Liberty, in 2023. During flight, the vehicle is a two-seat gyroplane with a top speed of 110 mph and a maximum takeoff weight of one ton. It can fly up to 310 miles or for a time four hours.
On the ground, it transforms into a three-wheeled car that reaches a top speed 100 mph and a distance of up 817 miles. The vehicle uses two Rotax 912iS engines.
Last year, Pal-V finalized its certification basis with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (CS-27, for small rotorcraft) after several years of discussion. The company still has to conduct compliance demonstration before starting production. However, the certificate is accepted in 80 percent of the world market, including the US and China.
According to Pal-V, it has taken orders from people in 14 countries and is training its first “fly drivers” in-house. Also, the company obtained permission for the Liberty to be driven on European roads last year. Finally, the Spanish company Airtificial Aerospace and Defense has agreed to supply Pal-V with several composite parts, including the fuel tank, body parts, propeller and rotor blades.