Some 70 PAL-V Liberty Pioneer (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) car and gyroplane combination aircraft, considered the "world's first flying car," have been sold worldwide, according to its manufacturer.
This revelation was made by Dutch firm PAL-V based in Raamsdonksveer, The Netherlands, which was founded in 2001. PAL-V said the "PAL-V Liberty is a groundbreaking product that inaugurates the age of the flying car. The PAL-V Liberty is a marriage between safety and fun, designed to satisfy the most demanding customers."
A compact two-person aircraft that can travel on public roads, the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer first flew in March 2012. It was publicly revealed and marketed in February 2017. The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer production model was first shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland in March 2018.
"The gyroplane principle not only provides us with a safe and easy-to-operate flying car but it also enables us to make it compact and within existing regulations, which is the most important factor to build a useable flying car," said Mike Stekelenburg, Chief Engineer at PAL-V.
PAL-V said it will only produce 90 Pioneer editions, and after this will start shipping the PAL-V Sport edition by 2021. The Sport edition is the base model.
"The Pioneer Edition is for those that want to be part of the group of 90 that writes history with us. They will be at the forefront of a mobility revolution, where we will no longer have cars that can only drive. They will be the first car flyers in their country, FL driving to any destination," said CEO Robert Dingemanse.
The Pioneer edition, which includes all currently available options, is the limited edition model intended to create awareness about this flying car. It was intended to be delivered before any other PAL-V edition. The Pioneer edition aircraft carries a price tag of $599,000.
The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer features retractable overhead rear propellers and tail wings. It's street legal and when in flight, has a cruising altitude of 12,500 feet. The flying car is powered by traditional gasoline instead of jet fuel. It can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour in the air and 100 miles per hour on land.
A prototype of the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer is currently on display at the Paramount Miami Worldcenter as part of the "Miami 2020 and Beyond" art exhibit. The Miami Worldcenter's roof Skyport has been converted to allow the takeoff and landing of the PAL-V.
Miami Worldcenter will also serve as the hub for the Miami Metro Mover and Metro Rail system, which connects downtown to Miami International Airport.
"We are delighted to support, promote and celebrate innovation as well as prominent local and international artists at Paramount Miami Worldcenter," said PAL-V developer Dan Kodsi. "Miami is the city of the future and an international art world capital."
