Flying cars aren't an everyday sighting, but they aren't as unheard of these days as yo might suspect. Some, like the Maverick flying car, are already available to the public, while others have been stuck in the development phase for years, like the Terrafugia Transition. And before the Transition can make it to market, another flying car will hit the scene: Skyrunner. That new flying machine makes its public debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week.
Weighing in at 926 pounds, the Skyrunner's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine's 114 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque are enough to scoot it from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds, on to a top speed of 115 mph. In the air, with the engine connected to the rear-mounted propeller, 55 mph is the max speed while range is reduced from 500 miles to 200. Instrumentation can be found on the sides of the dashboard and on an iPad mounted to the steering wheel.
Skyrunner is billed as a recreational vehicle, but it could have other business and governmental uses where a small, low-maintenance, simple-to-operate all-terrain and air vehicle would be advantageous. Think farming, border patrol, media coverage, etc.
It admittedly isn't as complex as the Transition but orders will start being delivered much sooner, in 2014, with an MSRP of $119,000. That's pretty steep for a car, but for a flying car/all-terrain vehicle perhaps it's worth it if you're staring down the price tag of a $279,000 Terrafugia Transition.
For more details on Skyrunner, check out the press release below.
Skyrunner uses a parachute to achieve lift and doubles as an over-the-ground, all-terrain vehicle, like the Maverick. The best part? "Airports are not required," says Stewart Hamel, Skyrunner's founder and CEO. "Open fields, grass strips and secluded beaches will be the runways of choice," he says. The transition from road vehicle to air mode - which includes erecting the parachute - takes three minutes.The best part? "Airports are not required."
Weighing in at 926 pounds, the Skyrunner's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine's 114 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque are enough to scoot it from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds, on to a top speed of 115 mph. In the air, with the engine connected to the rear-mounted propeller, 55 mph is the max speed while range is reduced from 500 miles to 200. Instrumentation can be found on the sides of the dashboard and on an iPad mounted to the steering wheel.
Skyrunner is billed as a recreational vehicle, but it could have other business and governmental uses where a small, low-maintenance, simple-to-operate all-terrain and air vehicle would be advantageous. Think farming, border patrol, media coverage, etc.
It admittedly isn't as complex as the Transition but orders will start being delivered much sooner, in 2014, with an MSRP of $119,000. That's pretty steep for a car, but for a flying car/all-terrain vehicle perhaps it's worth it if you're staring down the price tag of a $279,000 Terrafugia Transition.
For more details on Skyrunner, check out the press release below.
All-Terrain Flying Car Debuts
"SkyRunner®" Unveiled at Florida Yacht Show
SHREVEPORT, La., Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyRunner®, a new, innovative recreational sports vehicle will make its public debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. Part all-terrain vehicle and part light-sport aircraft, SkyRunner is the next generation in the small, elite segment of light sport aviation.
SkyRunner is not limited to the adventurist or recreational enthusiast. The business and governmental applications for a low-cost, low-maintenance aviation asset could include large landowners, ranchers, farmers, pipeline companies, emergency medical teams, film, media, aerial survey companies, bush pilots, border security, police, military and search & rescue.
"Airports are not required with SkyRunner," says Stewart Hamel, SkyRunner Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "This vehicle will change the way people experience their world and provide pure enjoyment of flight. Imagine driving an all-terrain vehicle that can convert from road to air mode in three minutes - with SkyRunner, that dream has become a reality."
SkyRunner uses the latest reflex paraglide wing technology, which is renowned for its extreme pitch and roll stability. "Open fields, grass strips and secluded beaches will be the runways of choice," says Hamel. "In the United States 98% of airspace is open to light sport pilots."
SkyRunner weighs 926 pounds and can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 115 mph on the ground and 55 mph in the air. SkyRunner's 1.0 liter EcoBoost direct injection turbo engine's 125PS (92kW) power and 200Nm torque output provides the highest power density of any similar production engine. The fuel-efficient SkyRunner will see a 500 mile road range (at 53MPG) and 200 nautical miles in the air. The craft is priced at $119,000.
SkyRunner combines reliability, ease of use and portability into one adventurous package.
- Safety Record - powered parachutes are considered to be safer than normal fixed-wing aircraft because of their inherent stability, limited response to control inputs, and resistance to stalls.
- Ease of Use - powered parachutes are the easiest flying vehicles invented to date. A pilot has only two airborne controls: pitch and roll (up/down and left/right). The interior cockpit of SkyRunner is designed to be a comfortable, functional environment absent of redundant dials, switches and excessive buttons. With reduced input controls and less to manage in the cockpit, the joy and experience of flight is greatly enhanced.
A license to fly SkyRunner can be obtained in a few days with 12 hours of flight with a Certified Flight Instructor. Requirements for licensing include a valid driver's license and a minimum age of 17. If applicants are in good health, an FAA medical certificate is not required. Sport pilot regulations will allow flight in daytime, VFR weather in uncontrolled airspace with a ceiling of 10,000 feet above sea level.
Over the next few months SkyRunner will be fulfilling ASTM Design & Manufacturing Standards for its S-LSA certification. During this time, the company will be accepting deposits for SkyRunner orders to be delivered in 2014. Orders can be placed at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with a $1,500 deposit or by contacting SkyRunner at info@flyskyrunner.com or 318-532-4044.
"SkyRunner®" Unveiled at Florida Yacht Show
SHREVEPORT, La., Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyRunner®, a new, innovative recreational sports vehicle will make its public debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. Part all-terrain vehicle and part light-sport aircraft, SkyRunner is the next generation in the small, elite segment of light sport aviation.
SkyRunner is not limited to the adventurist or recreational enthusiast. The business and governmental applications for a low-cost, low-maintenance aviation asset could include large landowners, ranchers, farmers, pipeline companies, emergency medical teams, film, media, aerial survey companies, bush pilots, border security, police, military and search & rescue.
"Airports are not required with SkyRunner," says Stewart Hamel, SkyRunner Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "This vehicle will change the way people experience their world and provide pure enjoyment of flight. Imagine driving an all-terrain vehicle that can convert from road to air mode in three minutes - with SkyRunner, that dream has become a reality."
SkyRunner uses the latest reflex paraglide wing technology, which is renowned for its extreme pitch and roll stability. "Open fields, grass strips and secluded beaches will be the runways of choice," says Hamel. "In the United States 98% of airspace is open to light sport pilots."
SkyRunner weighs 926 pounds and can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 115 mph on the ground and 55 mph in the air. SkyRunner's 1.0 liter EcoBoost direct injection turbo engine's 125PS (92kW) power and 200Nm torque output provides the highest power density of any similar production engine. The fuel-efficient SkyRunner will see a 500 mile road range (at 53MPG) and 200 nautical miles in the air. The craft is priced at $119,000.
SkyRunner combines reliability, ease of use and portability into one adventurous package.
- Safety Record - powered parachutes are considered to be safer than normal fixed-wing aircraft because of their inherent stability, limited response to control inputs, and resistance to stalls.
- Ease of Use - powered parachutes are the easiest flying vehicles invented to date. A pilot has only two airborne controls: pitch and roll (up/down and left/right). The interior cockpit of SkyRunner is designed to be a comfortable, functional environment absent of redundant dials, switches and excessive buttons. With reduced input controls and less to manage in the cockpit, the joy and experience of flight is greatly enhanced.
A license to fly SkyRunner can be obtained in a few days with 12 hours of flight with a Certified Flight Instructor. Requirements for licensing include a valid driver's license and a minimum age of 17. If applicants are in good health, an FAA medical certificate is not required. Sport pilot regulations will allow flight in daytime, VFR weather in uncontrolled airspace with a ceiling of 10,000 feet above sea level.
Over the next few months SkyRunner will be fulfilling ASTM Design & Manufacturing Standards for its S-LSA certification. During this time, the company will be accepting deposits for SkyRunner orders to be delivered in 2014. Orders can be placed at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with a $1,500 deposit or by contacting SkyRunner at info@flyskyrunner.com or 318-532-4044.
Featured Gallery Skyrunner Flying Car
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