Moller M200X
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Moller Skycar M200X is a 2 person Flying-saucer-like VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft that can fly up to a height of 3 meters (10 feet) -- called a "volantor" by its inventor Paul Moller. The M200X Skycar flew for the first time in 1989 and has since (2007) flown more than 200 manned and unmanned test flights. Videos can be seen here. [1] [2] [3]
The M200X variant M200G's parts were in production June 28, 2007. [4]
Moller M200G uses 8 inexpensive Wankel engines and its mass produced price will be less than 500,000 USD.
Its properties covers a flight velocity of 100 mph (160 km/h), 900 miles (1,450 km) range on a full fuel tank, 8 low-emissions Wankel engines that runs on a mixture of 70% (bio)ethanol and 30% water. Earlier models ran on gasoline. The ethanol/water fuel mixture reduces fire hazards greatly, as this fuel mixture does not easily burn outside the engines. The water cools the engines from the within, the engines can use higher compression ratios and hereby make more power, than with 100% ethanol. Because of the mixture, the engine fulfills California SULEV requirements. [5]
[edit] References
- ^ Video at Google: Media coverage of the Moller International M400 hover test (M200x is introduced 1m38 seconds in the news)
- ^ Video at Google: Moller International M200x flight
- ^ Video at Google: Moller International M200x VTOL hover demonstration
- ^ Moller.com: M200 Production starts
- ^ Aug 10, 2006, Business Wire: Rotapower Engine Achieves SULEV Emissions Goal Citat: "...The 530cc engine tested produced 22 hp at 4500 rpm with an air/fuel ratio of 20 and lambda of 1.35.
The toxic emission levels with ethanol were as follows:
Unburned hydrocarbons (HC) = .5 ppm or .0043 gm/hphr
Carbon monoxide (CO) = 9 ppm or .03 gm/hphr
Nitrous oxide (NOx) = 3 ppm or .016 gm/hphr..."
[edit] See also
Highway in the Sky
Small Aircraft Transportation System
