After forty years of development and over $150-million in costs, the Skycar was only able to demonstrate tethered hovering capability in 2003. Fast forward to today, its creator, Paul Moller, has put the prototype up for sale on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $5-million. The Skycar’s ducted fans deflect air vertically for takeoff and horizontally for forward flight. The ducted fans encase the propellers and engines, which prevents bystanders from being exposed to moving blades as well as improving aerodynamic efficiency at low speeds and generating lift in forward flight. Continue reading for another video, more pictures and information.
Currently Moller has focused its attention to the Neuera, a two-seater, round, flying saucer-like aircraft. Like the M400 Skycar, the Neuera uses 8 Rotapower rotary engines. The Neuera is designed for rescue, utility, and recreational operation. The daughter aircraft of the Neuera, the Firefly, is designed as an emergency rescue vehicle capable of high-rise rescues, and can carry up to 3 passengers and 1 operator.
