PAL-V, Buy Now, Fly Later

What are you waiting for? PAL-V (Personal Air and Land Vehicle), a Netherlands-based manufacturer of – call it what you will, an autogiro, a gyroplane, a flying car – has announced it is taking orders in the US for its Pioneer Edition, a limited production run of 90 vehicles.

Some 70 of the vehicles have already been sold, according to PAL-V.

The Pioneer’s gasoline engine enables speeds of up to 100 mph on the ground and 200 mph in the air. It can reach an elevation of 12,500 feet.

A sporty two-seater, the flying car sells for US$599,000. For ground travel, the overhead and rear propellers, and the wings retract.

No need to wait for regulators to grapple with flying cars, the PAL-V Pioneer is designed to meet all existing air and road regulations and certification is expected as soon as 2021. You will need to be a certified pilot, rated to fly a gyroplane (a rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift and a propeller to drive forward thrust).

The two-seat PAL-V Pioneer has a 100-liter fuel capacity and room for 20 kg of baggage (44 lbs). Once the Pioneer edition is sold out, consumers will be able to buy the next-generation Sport model, which will sell for a “more affordable” US$330,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Jetson, your vehicle awaits!