The Flying (and Driving!) Dutchman

The PALV - A Revolutionary New Hybrid Vehicle That can Drive and Fly

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, October 14 -- The PALV (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) is a slim line, aerodynamic 3-wheel personal air and land vehicle. A Dutch designed solution for door-to-door transportation. Fuel efficient on the road. Time efficient in the air.

The PALV is capable of speeds up to 200 km/h on land and in the air. Fitted with a patented dynamic tilting system, steer it like a car and it will bank like a motorcycle. It is ultra convenient and flexible. Drive from your front door to the nearest airfield or helipad and take off. The PALV transforms into an autogyro craft.

Autogyro technology is easy to master, safe and reliable. The rotor is non-driven. Lift is generated by the forward motion produced by the foldable propeller on the rear. With Very Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (VSTOVL) capability it can land practically anywhere.

This low flying vehicle can fly above traffic and under the 4,000 feet (1,500 m) floor of commercial air space. It's also suited to areas where inland infrastructure is basic.

The PALV does not require new infrastructure. It uses existing roads, airfields and conventional filling stations. If congestion blocks the way - fly. If the weather is too bad to fly - drive. Driving and flying combined in one vehicle that should cost as much as an executive saloon car.

John Bakker, a Dutch entrepreneur working with Spark design engineering and other partners, is developing the PALV.

Technical data:

Performance on land:

Top speed: >125 mph

0 - 60 mph: < 5 sec

Max tilting angle: 30degrees

Estimated fuel economy: (60 mph) 70 mpg

Range: 375 miles

Air performance :

Max airspeed: 120 mph

Min airspeed: 18 mph

Take off distance: 165 ft

Min landing distance: 16 ft

Range: 340 miles

Dimensions :

Rotary engine Power output: 213 hp

Length: 13.12 ft

Width: 3.94 ft

Height: 5.25 ft

Weight: 1200 LBS

Fuel: 95/98 unleaded

Note for the editors:

To download the photo of the PALV go to www.sparkdesign.nl (click at 'PALV press release' for pictures)

For additional information contact SPARK Design Engineering, John Bakker (00316 - 53-46-80-89) palv@sparkdesign.nl www.sparkdesign.nl