How is the Moller Skycar M400 design capable of travel on both the air and the ground?

Answer:
Quite simple really. The Moller Skycar M400 has wings and eight rotary combustion engine powered duct fans for air travel. When moving around on the ground it has wheels and can be taxied like most aircraft, using the fan thrust to move it forward and the front wheel to steer. Ground operation uses the same controls as used for filght. An electric motor might also be fitted to the front wheel to move around without generating excess engine and thrust noise.

What you could be wondering about is it's ability to travel on the roadways. Many people discussing the Skycar on the Internet seem confused on this aspect of the vehicle. This aircraft is not intended as a direct replacement for the car you drive today. Moller's goal is to make it roadable, meaning that it could safely travel on the road for a short distance, from say your driveway or garage to a safe open area to transition to the air. Since the Skycar is neither a traditional airplane or a helicopter, it needs much less area to lift-off. Needing only about 35 feet diameter of ground space, as opposed to a helicopter's 75 feet and the hundreds of feet most airplane require.

What makes it a sky CAR? The fact that is would be relatively easy for people to store at their homes, travel to a lift-off point and then fly to their destination and back home. An airport would not necessarily be needed to take-off and land the aircraft.

For trips over 30 miles and under 400 miles, this concept would solve many commuter issues. The FAA and NASA are currently working on and implementing technologies for all aircraft that would make owning and using this type craft common in the near future. The only real limitation is the average person's imagination. Once they become accepted by people and the technologies mature, there is no reason why most people will not be traveling in a similar craft within 20 years. Actually, anyone who can afford a luxury automobile should be able to purchase one within ten years.

First answer by ID1200759163. Last edit by Forehigher. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].