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World’s first ‘fly and drive car’ ready by 2021

World's first car that can fly and drive both

World’s first ‘fly and drive car’ ready by 2021 :According to Daily mail It has been over century in the making, but the world’s first ‘fly and drive car’ is set to make its US debut Tuesday night in Miami, Florida.

Called Pioneer Personal Air Landing Vehicle, or PAL-V, this flying vehicle is equipped with retractable overhead and rear propellers  and can cruise at an altitude as high as 12,500 feet.

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It uses automobile gasoline and tops speeds of 200 miles per hour in the air and 100 mile per hour on the ground.

The Dutch-made machine is already in production and is selling for $599,000 with 70 pre-orders to-date – the first delivery is expected to be in 2021.

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PAL-V will go on display at an event entitled: ‘Miami 2020 and Beyond’. The flying car seats two people has 230hp and a four-cylinder engine. The two-seater vehicle converts from a three-wheeled car to a gyrocopter in just 10 minutes, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds.

Maxim magazine selected PAL-V in 2017 as the most likely company to deliver a ‘real’ flying car and two years later that prediction has come true.

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Embraer and American Airlines Sign Contract for 15 E175s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq0QeKgxo1w
World’s first ‘fly and drive car’ ready by 2021

‘While other flying car manufacturers’ concepts require modified regulations and in many cases not yet existing technologies, PAL-V deliberately chose to engineer, design and build a flying car with proven technologies and fully compliant with existing regulations.’

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It is made of carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminium and weighs 1,500 pounds, and requires a 540 feet runway for take-off and just 100 feet for landing.

The craft is fitted with a similar handling system to that of a motorbike, which relies on the driver tilting the vehicle with a control stick both on the ground and in the air.

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BRITISH AIRWAYS’ A350 GEARS UP FOR ITS FIRST LONG HAUL FLIGHT TO DUBAI

‘Flying cars have been in movies many, many times and they will be available next year,’ Dingemanse told The Associated Press. A slightly cheaper version to be made next – the Pal-V Liberty Sport – has a price tag of $335,000.

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The firm has designed the car so at the flick of a button the blades fold down and gather like a bat’s wings on the top. It incorporates a 2005 breakthrough, when Dutch company Carver invented a tilting system for three-wheelers, to counter Pal-V’s high center of gravity and make it roadworthy.

The company insists the Pal-V is not a helicopter, where blades are powered by an engine, but is a gyroplane in which the blades rotate thanks to airflow.

Even if both engines cut out, the blades will still turn. ‘The rotor is not powered, so it’s actually a parachute which is always available,’ Mr Dingemanse told AP.

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Different versions of a flying car are being developed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Japan, China and the United States. The lucky owner will need both a driving licence and a pilot’s licence.

But with the keys in hand, the owner will be able to drive to an airfield for the short take-off and, after landing elsewhere, drive to the destination in a door-to-door experience. Parts are on order, with the first already in stock.

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Once built, the vehicle will have to complete at least 150 flying hours, and undergo extensive tests to receive its certification from the Cologne-based European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Once finalized, this will allow them to certify under FAR 27 regulations in America.

The 27-gallon gas tank provides a flying range of between 248 an 310 miles at an altitude of up to 11,500 feet. On the road, it can drive for up to 750 miles.

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KUWAIT AIRWAYS AND PAL-V BRINGING FLYING CARS TO THE GCC

Kuwait Airways will start to explore the possibility to use the PAL-V for their own operation offering their customers a “last mile” solution. “Because the PAL-V can use the same airports that we are using it is a vehicle that can provide our customers with a “last mile” solution. FlyDriving them to where they need to go. Which will offer our customer a door-to-door journey instead of airport to airport.” Says Kamil H. Al-Awadhi, CEO of Kuwait Airways. The PAL-V only needs a small airstrip of 300m long in order to take-off and land which doesn’t need to be a paved runway. The strips can be created in close proximity to urban areas where people are not disturbed by the presence of the airstrip. PAL-V can drive the last mile to the destination, making the PAL-V a true door-to-door solution for the airport-to-city journey. The PAL-V can reach a landing strip near a city 400km away in just 2.5 hours, after that the conversion only takes 5 minutes and you can drive your last miles into the city.

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aviation

Emirates denies report of near-miss air collision with Ethiopian Airlines

Emirates denies report of near-miss air collision with Ethiopian Airlines

Emirates has firmly refuted social media reports suggesting a near-miss air collision with an Ethiopian Airlines flight, asserting that there was no compromise to aircraft safety during the specified time and airspace.

In a statement issued by an Emirates spokesperson, it was emphasized that all Emirates aircraft are equipped with capabilities to ensure safe separation and distance during operations.

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The controversy arose when Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority initially attributed the incident to conflicting instructions from Mogadishu Control, alleging that Emirates flight UAE722 and Ethiopian Airlines flight ETH690, both cruising at 37,000 feet, were on a collision course. However, Emirates has rebutted these claims, maintaining that their aircraft were never in jeopardy.

According to the incident report released by Somaliland authorities, the potential collision occurred on Sunday, March 24, 2024, around 12:43 East Africa Time. The report detailed how conflicting instructions from Mogadishu Control led to the convergence of the two flights.

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Swift action by Somaliland’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) averted disaster, as the pilots of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX promptly ascended to 39,000 feet, creating a safe distance between the two aircraft. Somaliland’s ATC, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Airlines crew, played a crucial role in preventing a potential catastrophe.

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Aviation

HAL’s Indigenous Tejas MK-1A completes its first maiden flight

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons - Air Marshal GS Bedi's Perspective

The inaugural flight of the first production series fighter of LCA Tejas Mark-1A, an advanced iteration of the LCA Mk-1 recently inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF), completed its maiden flight in Bengaluru Today.

Over the past several days, the Defence PSU HAL has been conducting various taxi trials in preparation for this milestone.

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The maiden flight lasted 18 minutes and marked a triumph for the project. The Mk-1A boasts several enhancements, including digital radar warning receivers, an advanced AESA radar, improved beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, and external self-protection jammer pods.

The upgraded Tejas Mark 1A aircraft features a larger cockpit canopy, enhancing the pilot’s outside visibility and facilitating better movement of their helmet. Additionally, the air intake has been redesigned to supply faster airflow to the engine, enhancing performance. Modifications to the vertical radar in the tail section have been made to improve control during turns. Overall, these upgrades elevate the aircraft’s standards compared to previous versions, providing increased comfort and functionality.

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Under a contract worth Rs 46,898 crore signed in 2021, HAL is mandated to deliver 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets between March 2024 and February 2028. This follows the completion of the order for 40 Tejas Mk1 jets valued at Rs 8,802 crore, of which 32 single-seat fighters and two twin-seat trainers have already been delivered.

The IAF, which currently operates two Tejas squadrons named ‘Flying Daggers’ and ‘Flying Bullets’, has deployed one squadron in the southwestern sector. Recognizing the significance of the Tejas in bolstering its fleet, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the acquisition of an additional 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. However, the final clearance from the cabinet committee on security (CCS) is pending before the order can be placed.

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With the IAF grappling with a decline in the number of its fighter squadrons, which currently stands at 31 against the required 42 to effectively counter threats from China and Pakistan, the Tejas assumes a crucial role in filling this gap. Despite initial skepticism, the Tejas has evolved into a flagship platform for India, garnering attention and accolades at numerous defense and aerospace exhibitions worldwide.

However, it is essential to note that the IAF recently experienced its first loss of a Tejas Mk 1 fighter aircraft due to an air crash on March 12.

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Aerospace

South Korean KF-21 Completed First Successful Aerial Refueling

South Korean KF-21 Completed First Successful Aerial Refueling

The first aerial refuelling test of South Korea’s indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighter jet was successfully completed, marking a key milestone in the country’s defense capabilities.

Refueling from a Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force KC-330 aircraft off the southern coast, the Boramae fighter jet took off from Sacheon Airbase, some 183 miles southeast of Seoul. The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) hailed this development, which represents a significant advancement for this state-of-the-art aircraft.

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The successful aerial refueling test corresponds with a staged production plan intended to ease worries brought forward by the feasibility assessment carried out a year ago. The research recommended cutting production to just 20 units and made additional test suggestions. A DAPA official continues to state that after discussions with pertinent agencies, plans are in place to conclude verification testing by June of this year and complete a contract for the remaining 20 units by February of the following year.

The kf 21, which has been compared to the Turkish KAAN and the Indian AMCA, has a more stealthy airframe than fourth-generation aircraft, but it is not yet capable of fifth-generation fighter capabilities. However, in the future, modifications such as internal weapons bays might force South Korea to reclassify it as a fifth-generation fighter. Even while South Korea has made significant strides towards constructing the KF-21, other countries, including Turkey and India, are also stepping up their efforts to push plans for creating fifth-generation fighter jets.

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As an initial phase, KAI boramae intends to manufacture a two-seat variant of the kai kf 21 boramae equipped with manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities. According to current plans, the Block 2 kf 21 fighter is slated for an upgrade to a low observability (LO) configuration, elevating it to the status of a fifth-generation fighter.

Additionally, KAI has put forward a proposal for the development of a Block 3 kf 21 boramae fighter jet, categorized as a sixth-generation fighter. This iteration would be larger, boasting enhanced stealth features and capabilities. It would incorporate more potent engines and operate within a comprehensive ‘system of systems’ framework, integrating with unmanned effectors for increased effectiveness.

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With the KF-21’s production set to start later in the year, DAPA intends to finalise an agreement with KAI by the beginning of 2024. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is expected to receive 120 KF-21 fighters by 2032.

The whole production plan for 40 kf21s has been approved by the Defence Project Promotion Committee, with an estimated cost of 7.92 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) between now and 2028.

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Aviation

Laser Attack on Aircraft after flying over at Mexico Fireworks Festival

Laser Attack on Aircraft after flying over at Mexico Fireworks Festival

In a shocking turn of events, a passenger jet was nearly blinded by the intense beams of hundreds of laser pointers wielded by festival-goers at a pyrotechnics festival in Tultepec, Mexico.

The harrowing incident unfolded last weekend during the National Pyrotechnic Festival, an annual celebration showcasing Mexico’s rich tradition in fireworks production and usage.

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Video footage captured the moment when a passenger jet, en route to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, soared above the festival grounds. As the aircraft approached, the sky became illuminated with a multitude of green laser beams, creating an eerie glow around the plane.

https://twitter.com/fl360aero/status/1770277290695385593

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The sight was both astonishing and terrifying, as the lasers posed a serious risk to the safety of the aircraft and its passengers. Social media erupted with condemnation towards the festival-goers, labeling their actions as idiotic and dangerous.

Social media erupted with condemnation as the video spread rapidly, with users expressing outrage at the dangerous behavior of the festival attendees. Many denounced the act as foolish and illegal, highlighting the potential consequences of such reckless actions.

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It is currently unclear if the police are investigating the video or if the airline targeted has complained to air safety officials.

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