Ukraine, Poland to jointly build helicopters - Charles D'Alberto

WARSAW, Poland — Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv has announced that Ukraine and Poland plan to jointly develop new helicopters for the countries’ armed forces.

The two governments plan to participate on the "modernization, but also construction of new helicopters from the design phase to their production," Kubiv, who also serves as Ukraine’s minister of economic development and trade, told local business daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna in an interview. 

According to Kubiv, the Ukrainian defense industry is not capable of developing new helos on its own, and it needs to cooperate with industry players from Poland and potentially companies from other Western nations.

"We can develop this branch only in cooperation, also with Poland. I cannot rule out that European and Northern American companies will join this [project],” Kubiv said. "Taking part in modernizing aircraft and helicopters on the global markets is one of Ukraine’s ambitions." 

The latest announcement follows earlier statements by a senior Polish politician. In late 2016, Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said Warsaw and Kiev are discussing plans to launch a joint production effort of helos that could be used by the militaries of Central and Eastern European allies. 

According to the Polish minister, Ukraine's state-owned manufacturer Motor Sich makes "excellent engines." 

A number of countries in the region are planning to purchase new helicopters to replace their Soviet-designed helos. Most recently, Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Giedrimas Jeglinskas announced that the country may purchase new transport helicopters to completely replace its fleet after 2020.

#Ukraine #Poland #Helicopters #Aviation #Military #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Helicopter makes emergency landing on Kirkman Road, Orlando - Charles D'Alberto

A tour helicopter had to make an emergency landing Thursday morning on Kirkman Road near Sand Lake Road. (Orlando Fire Department)

A Robinson R44 tour helicopter had to make an emergency landing Thursday morning in a median on Kirkman Road near Sand Lake Road, fire officials said.

The pilot and two passengers were not injured.

Orlando Fire Department officials said the pilot had 11 years of experience.

Air Florida Helicopters Charters, Inc. said in a statement that the pilot made the landing as a precaution.

 It’s not clear what caused the pilot to land, the company said.

The tail of the helicopter fell off when it landed, officials said.

“We are ultimately happy and thankful nobody was hurt. The passengers were brought back to our location in good spirits and health,” it said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

The International Drive business offering $20 helicopter rides over Orlando’s tourist attractions has been operating for nearly 25 years.

#Helicopter #Crash #Aviation #Orlando #R44 #Robinson #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

Facebook is building a helicopter to help deliver internet access in emergencies - Charles D'Alberto

After building a solar-powered plane to help deliver internet access nearly two years ago, Facebook is once again building another aircraft to deploy the internet -- this time, in the form of a helicopter.

Unveiled at its F8 developer conference, the Mark Zuckerberg-led social network said the helicopter, known as the "Tether-tenna," would provide internet access and could be deployed for months in the case of an emergency.

"It's a small helicopter tethered to a fiber line and power—essentially,

insta-infrastructure," Facebook's Yael Maguire, wrote in a blog post. "If the fiber line is still good to a certain point, we can make a virtual tower by flying a Tether-tenna a few hundred feet from the ground. When completed, this technology will be able to be deployed immediately and operate for months at a time to bring back connectivity in case of an emergency — ensuring the local community can stay connected while the in-ground connectivity is under repair."

Facebook did not say whether it would build more helicopters or if it would partner with other companies to do the work. 

Tether-tenna is part of Facebook's Telecom Infra Project, which includes the aforementioned solar plane, known as Aquila, as well as Terragraph, which helps boost internet signals in dense urban areas.

#Facebook #Helicopter #Zuckerberg #Internet #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

Is Iran's 'stealth' fighter is a total joke - Charles D'Alberto

Iran recently released footage of what it claims is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet called the Qaher F-313 rolling around a runway, but experts aren't buying it.

The F-313 has appeared before, in 2013, when War Is Boring pointed out that the jet was too small to carry its announced weapons payload or even fit a pilot.

Business Insider showed the footage to a senior scientist working on stealth aircraft who asked to remain anonymous because of the classified nature of his work.

As far as radar signature goes, "some parts are laughable," the scientist said. Specifically, he said the downturned wingtips reminded him of something out of "Star Trek" and the vertical or near vertical fins on the plane would light up a radar.

The scientist said he seriously doubted that Iran had the engineering processes and expertise in place to manufacture a stealth aircraft, the details of which need to be perfectly lined up to baffle radars. Iran has for years been under sanctions, prohibited from buying the kinds of components needed to build advanced stealth aircraft.

Writing for Vice's Motherboard, journalist David Axe said the F-313 — which does not fly in the video — had its tire pressure stenciled on the outside of the plane and that it was way too low for a full-sized airplane weighed down with instruments and fuel.

The scientist says the tire pressure "takes away all doubt that it's a fake."

Still, some experts say Iran could attain somewhat credible stealth aircraft in the near future, as China's J-31, an F-35 knockoff, nears production.

#Iran #FighterJet #Military #Airforce #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group #F_313

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One of the BEST helicopter trainers i have seen to date! - Charles D'Alberto

CICARE SVH4 Helicopter Trainer

With a newly designed composite cabin, a more reliable engine and a new electronic safety control system, the Cicaré SVH-4 repositions its sell for a safer and more entertaining helicopter instruction. like its successful previous model the SVH-3 its a conventional helicopter design attached to a unique mobile ground platform which allows full and safe use of all flight controls including lift off to a normal hover at 3 ft AGL and hover taxing

 #CICARE #Helicopter #Trainer #FlightSchool #Pilot #pilotTraining 

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Inmates for years have thought of ingenious -- and sometimes very compromising ways -- to sneak contraband inside prison walls. They’ve bribed guards, used carrier pigeons, had relatives put the goods in body cavities and, of course, who can forget a classic routine: baking a file into a cake.

But modern technology is quickly making life easier for inmates -- and less uncomfortable for family and friends -- looking to smuggle illicit goods onto prison grounds.

Corrections officials across the U.S. have reported an uptick in the last few years of drones flying over penitentiary walls to deliver everything from cigarettes and pornography to drugs and weapons to inmates.

Prison officials in Michigan last spring found a small toy drone on the grounds of the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center. While the drone was too small to haul in any contraband, officials said that it was probably used to probe the jails defenses and security for a future mission.

“It’s funny because it’s truly a toy that came over. But in the larger sense, it is a very serious incident,” Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz told Prison Legal News.

The incident in Michigan was followed by similar instances in Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina and Georgia to name a few, and has led some state officials to call for a revamping of prison facilities and tactics to go after these midair menaces.

A piece of legislation currently bouncing around Washington state’s capitol building would make flying a drone within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of a correctional facility without permission a Class C felony. Similar legislation has been introduced in Michigan -- as Senate Bills 487 and 488 -- making it a felony to operate drones within 1,000 feet of a prison.

One of the most popular drones on the market -- the DJI Phantom 4 -- clocks in at a total weight of 3 pounds and can fly at least 4 miles away from its operator without losing its video stream or remote controls. While the Phantom can carry just over 1 pound while in flight, its more beefier brother, the DJI S900, has a maximum payload of just under 7 pounds -- meaning that anyone looking to drop around $2,000 can deliver a sizable care package to their buddies on the inside.

In the spring of 2015, South Carolina announced that extensive resources would be implemented to prevent drones from accessing state prisons -- including building new watch towers for guards to more easily spot approaching drones. This move came shortly after guards at the Lee Correctional Institution discovered a downed drone during a routine perimeter check that had crashed while carrying cellphones, marijuana and tobacco over prison walls.

The issue of drones invading prisons isn’t solely a problem in the U.S.

Prisons in Canada, Brazil, Russia, Australia, Thailand, Greece and England are all struggling to combat the rise of the relatively inexpensive robotics.

Canadian officials are draping nets over perimeter fences or walls to thwart drones, while law enforcement in Ireland is going old school with wires and sharp eyes to hunt down any approaching drones.

The United Kingdom announced earlier this week the formation of a “specialist squad” that will be tasked with investigating drone smuggling nationwide and passing that information down to local-level officers to act on.

The threat of drones is not just limited to prisons, as countries across the globe are on the lookout for terrorists and other criminal groups using the evolving technology to carry out deadly attacks.

Following incidents of drones flying over the presidential palace and restricted military sites -- along with the deadly 2015 Paris terror attacks -- the French Air Force has trained four golden eagles to intercept and destroy the rogue aircraft.

#Drones #Prisons #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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12 Saudi officers killed in helicopter crash in Yemen - Charles D'Alberto

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen said one of its helicopters crashed in eastern Yemen on Tuesday, killing 12 Saudi officers in one of the deadliest incidents for the kingdom's troops since the war began more than two years ago.

The Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the eastern province of Marib, the coalition said, adding that it is investigating the circumstances. The incident happened as U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to discuss the Yemen war with Saudi leaders.

The coalition of mostly Arab Sunni countries has waged a campaign to dislodge Yemeni Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, who seized Yemen's capital and some other areas in 2014 and forced the internationally-recognized government to flee the country.

The U war has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 civilians and led to the displacement of some 3 million Yemenis. Dozens of Saudi soldiers have been killed in cross-border attacks from Yemen.

The single deadliest incident for coalition forces killed 45 troops from the United Arab Emirates in September 2015, when a rebel missile hit a weapons depot — also in Marib. It was the deadliest day for its military in the UAE's 44-year history. Ten Saudis were killed in the blast too. Bahrain also lost five soldiers, though it was not clear if they were killed in the same incident.

Mattis told reporters while heading to the kingdom that he will push for a political resolution to end the conflict. He said the Trump administration's goal is for the crisis "to be put in front of a U.N.-brokered negotiating team and try to resolve this politically as soon as possible."

He also echoed past Saudi accusations that Houthis have been receiving arms from Iran, saying that the Iranians have supplied Houthis with missiles they use to fire on Saudi Arabia.

Mattis is the highest-level Trump administration official to visit the kingdom. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also Saudi defense minister, met Trump at the White House last month.

Multiple rounds of U.N-brokered peace talks have failed to bridge the gap between the warring parties in Yemen. President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi insists on the implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions which stipulate that the Houthis pull their militias from the cities and hand over heavy weapons, while the Shiite rebels demand on a power-sharing deal before taking any security-related steps.

Hadi's government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, has regained control over southern Yemen, but has however failed to restore law and order in that part of the country as the extremist Islamic State group and al-Qaida militants have grown in numbers and expanded their footprints.

Over the past weeks, fighting has been intensified in the western coastline regions. Coalition officials say they are preparing for an all-out assault to take control over the vital Red Sea port city of Hoedida, considered the lifeline for Houthis and their landlocked base in northern Yemen.

#Saudi #Helicopters #Crash #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Black Hawk military helicopter from Fort Belvoir crashes on St. Mary's County golf course - Charles D'Alberto

A military helicopter with three crew members on board made a hard landing Monday afternoon on a golf course in Leonardtown, Maryland.

One crew member was rushed to medical care. 

The helicopter was based at Fort Belvoir, the Army installation in Northern Virginia.

The UH-60 Black Hawk landed hard about 1:50 p.m., Fort Belvoir officials said in a statement. 

The helicopter landed hard at the Breton Bay Golf Course, near Society Hill Road, the St. Mary's County fire department said. 

Kevin Bowen, who works in the pro shop of the golf course said he saw the helicopter "flying kind of low" and then "saw it spinning" before it went down between the third and fourth holes of the golf course.

Fort Belvoir is home to the major 12th aviation battalion, housed at the base’s Davison Army Airfield. The 12th aviation battalion has more than a dozen H-60 helicopters. This battalion helps serve senior leaders of the U.S. Army and Defense Department.  

Congressional sources say there are plans to budget $1.1 billion this year to buy 61 new UH-60s. According to National Guard Bureau, the Army Guard’s H-60 fleet is the oldest in the Army; more than half of the aircraft are 30 years old.

A fighter jet crashed in a wooded area near Joint Base Andrews in Maryland less than two weeks ago.

The pilot in that crash parachuted out of the F-16 after he had mechanical trouble and steered the aircraft away from a neighborhood. The D.C. Air National Guard F-16C fighter jet crashed April 5 in Clinton, Maryland, about 6 miles southwest of the military base that is home to Air Force One, base officials said. The pilot was on a routine training mission at the time. No one on the ground was hurt.

#Helicopters #Crash #BlackHawk #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

BREAKING A United Nation helicopter crashed on takeoff today in Democratic Republic of the Congo - Charles D'Alberto

A United Nation helicopter crashed on takeoff today at Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

#United Nations #Helicopter #UN #Crash #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Trump not allowed to use personal helicopter - Charles D'Alberto

A personal helicopter of President Donald Trump sits on the helipad at Mar-a-Lago, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Palm Beach, Florida

PALM BEACH, Florida — US President Donald Trump can only look at the personal helicopter parked on the front lawn of his Mar-a-Lago resort. As far as going for a ride in it, he’s grounded.

The Secret Service says standard security protocol requires the president to fly on either Air Force One, a jumbo jet, or Marine One, a helicopter. The agency says Trump was never on the helicopter.

It’s hard to miss: The Sikorsky S-76 carries Trump’s name in bold red print on the tail and step, and his personal family seal. The billionaire-turned-president owns two.

The helicopter appeared Sunday on the newly paved helipad of Mar-a-Lago, then left a few hours later. The White House didn’t respond to questions about the reason the helicopter was there.

#Trump #Helicopters #Sikorsky #MarALago #Charles _Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Is this the way a major airline treats its paying customers? - Charles D'Alberto

A barbaric attack on a paying client!

April 10th 2017 – What can only be described as a ‘Barbaric’ attack on a paying client, and a human being was demonstrated for all to see yesterday by one of the ones, “So called” leading airlines.

The attack occurred when a passenger refused to give up his seats to a United employee due to overbooking. The passenger, a Chinese-american doctor, explained several times that he had to get back to his practice as he had patients awaiting him…. He had every right to remain seated as he paid for his seat, in a binding, legal contract with the airline.

The airline, United Airlines, disagreed and forcibly removed the passenger, with unjust and unwarranted force causing bodily injuries to the passenger.

To add additional salt to the wounds, United CEO, Oscar Munoz doubled down to his employees, and blamed the passenger for his supposed unruly behavior and labeled the passenger as “disruptive and belligerent”

This conduct by United  is unjust, unwarranted and possibly violates the basic human rights and legal rights of the passenger.

You be the judge:

I suspect major lawsuits are being prepared now against United and the officer in question.

#United #Airlines #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Russia confirms Egyptian Ka-52 deliveries this year - Charles D'Alberto

Russian Helicopters is on track to delivery Egypt’s Ka-52 helicopters later this year, according to state holding company Rostec.

“Russian Helicopters, a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, confirms that the first of an eventual 46 Alligators will be handed over to Cairo this year,” Rostec stated on 7 March. 

On 31 January Russian Helicopters said one of its subsidiaries – Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company - has produced this year’s first Ka-52 Alligator and this has completed ground and flight tests. Several more airframes were undergoing final assembly. 

Russia confirmed the sale of 46 Ka-52Ks to Egypt in December 2015. The Ka-52 Alligator is a development of the Ka-50 Black Shark, featuring two crew side-by-side in a new nose housing additional avionics. The Ka-52 is in service with the Russian Air Force, which has ordered 146 Ka-52s while Russian naval aviation will receive 32 navalised Ka-52Ks. Production began in 2008.

The helicopter is fitted with four underwing hardpoints capable of carrying 80/120 mm air-to-surface rockets, 9A4172 Vikhr-M (AT-12) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles, Igla or R-73 (AA-11 'Archer') air-to-air missiles, Kh-25MP (AS-12 'Kegler') anti-radiation missiles and FAB-500 bombs. Fixed armament comprises a 30 mm 2A42 gun with up to 240 rounds of ammunition.

Egypt will fly its Ka-52s off its Mistral class landing helicopter dock vessels – these were handed over to Egypt in June and September 2016. As they were originally destined for Russia, they were designed to accommodate the Ka-52K helicopter. Each vessel can operate 16 helicopters.

The first batch of Alligators scheduled for delivery to Russia in 2017 was transferred to the Russian Ministry of Defense ahead of schedule in December last year. However, problems have been encountered with the Ka-52K after shipborne trials, Tass reported Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov as saying. He did not specify what problems they were but indicated they would be solved soon. It is not clear if these problems will also impact the Egyptian examples.

#Military #Helicopters #KA_52 #Egypt #Russian #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Border Patrol union urges Trump to cut Obama’s red tape holding back agents - Charles D'Alberto

The Homeland Security Department has been reluctant to send helicopters on nighttime missions to aid the Border Patrol, leaving agents to face drug smugglers and illegal immigrants without critical air cover, the chief of the agents’ labor union told Congress late last month.

Brandon Judd, an agent who is also president of the National Border Patrol Council, said that unless President Trump can solve that kind of bureaucratic bungling — and is willing to oust the Obama administration figures who botched the policies — he will struggle to secure the border.

The helicopters are one example of that, Mr. Judd said.

 Mr. Judd said that when the Border Patrol controlled its own helicopters, it got the air support it needed. But after the Homeland Security Department was created more than a decade ago, the helicopters were turned over to the Office of Air and Marine, which has been reluctant to fly the nighttime hours the agents need.

“Right now the Office of Air and Marine, they fly very little at night,” he told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “In fact, in [the Rio Grande Valley sector], we had to use Coast Guard to fly sorties in certain areas. And when their apprehensions became so great, it’s my understanding the officer at Air and Marine asked them not to fly anymore at night in RGV because it was making them look bad.”

Officials at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that oversees both the Border Patrol and the Air and Marine division, declined to comment.

#Homeland #Security #USA #Helicopters #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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US F-16 crashes near Joint Base Andrews - Charles D'Alberto

Washington (CNN)A US F-16 crashed several miles outside Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday, two Air Force officials told CNN.

The crash took place about six miles outside the base, which is located in Prince George's County.

The pilot ejected in "an unpopulated area" and "is OK," one of the officials said, adding that the F-16 was from the 113th Fighter Wing.

#F16 #FighterJet #USMilitary #AirForce #Perla_Group #Charles_Dalberto

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Russian Helicopters delivers Mi-17V-5 to Kenyan Police - Charles D'Alberto

A ceremonial transfer of the helicopter has been performed in the capital of Kenya, Nairobi, in the presence of the Minister of the Interior of Kenya. In accordance with the contract, “Russian Helicopters” has also performed training of the Customer’s specialists in addition to the delivery of the helicopter.  The helicopter will serve the needs of the National Police of the Republic of Kenya.

“We have successfully completed the contract for the delivery of the first helicopter to Kenya. Currently, the total fleet of the Russian-made helicopters in the African countries exceeds 700 units and requires gradual renewal.  Russian-made helicopters have shown excellent performance when implementing the widest scope of missions in the African continent. We count on the further fruitful cooperation”, – Alexander Scherbinin, Deputy Director General for Marketing and Business Development of “Russian Helicopters” Holding Company, noted.

The African countries have traditionally been one of the largest operators of Russian-made helicopters. Mi-8/17 type helicopters proposed to African customers are primarily used in civil aviation – for cargo, passenger and VIP transportation. High flight and technical performance, reliability, capability to operate in a wide range of conditions and temperatures, multi-mission capability, easy operability and maintainability make Russian-made helicopters one of the best offers for the African market.

#Helicopter #Russian #Mi_17 #Aviation #Police #Africa #Kenya #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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Iran signs contract for 60 Boeing 737 Max aircraft: IRNA - Charles D'Alberto

Iran's Aseman airline signed a contract with Boeing (BA.N) on Tuesday to buy (60) 737 Max aircraft, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Representatives of the two companies signed the contract in Tehran after a year of negotiations, IRNA reported.

#Iran #Boeing #Aviation #737 #Perla_Group #Charles_Dalberto

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3 airliners in near-misses with drones in London's Heathrow - Charles D'Alberto

LONDON >> Three airliners narrowly missed colliding with drones near London’s Heathrow Airport in the space of three weeks last year, underscoring increasing concerns about the devices near aircraft, a report today said.

The report by the U.K. Airprox Board, which catalogs air safety incidents, offered new details on the close calls that took place in October and November. In the most unusual incident, the pilots of an A320 passenger plane descending into Heathrow noticed a gadget with multiple arms and rotors passing below the plane’s right wing at 10,000 feet.

“Was that a drone?” the pilots exclaimed. “At 10,000 feet!”

The separation between drone and plane was just 100 feet vertically and 656 feet horizontally. The pilot said there was no time to react, the report said.

While actual collisions are rare, the number of near-misses has increased dramatically in recent years as the popularity of drones has grown. There were 70 near misses between objects identified as drones and aircraft in 2016, compared to 29 in 2015 and six in 2014, the board said.

It was one of three near-misses involving planes near Heathrow in the February report. In the other two cases, the board said it was either good luck or divine providence that had spared a serious accident.

Drones must not be flown above 400 feet in Britain. Owners must be able to see them at all times and avoid planes, helicopters, airports and airfields.

#Drones #Heathrow #London #Airport #Aviation #Safety #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group 

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Conn. Bill Would Allow Weaponized Drones For Police. What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Charles D'Alberto

If a new bill authorizing the use of weaponized drones passes, Connecticut police officers would have the ability to use the flying machines to kill.

What could possibly go wrong?

The bill authorizing police use of “deadly” drones passed 34-7 in the state legislature’s joint Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. It is now pending the state House of Representatives, where it will be sent for debate and a vote, neither of which has been scheduled.

CNN reports that the law was originally written to ban the use of weaponized drones after a state resident, Austin Haughwout, attached a handgun and flamethrower to his drone on separate occasions.

From this, police got the bright idea to use the lethal machines for themselves. The bill to ban weaponized drones for citizens now includes an amendment that would allow police officers to attach its own weapons to drones, ostensibly to kill terrorists.

William Tong, co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, told CNN the entire bill is intended to improve public safety. Tong explained that under this law, the Police Officers Standards and Training Council would be responsible for creating guidelines on how officers should use drones.

The guidelines would be sent back to the state legislature for final approval.

A member of the police union, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, says the drones would not be used to harm citizens, but protect them.

“No one is looking for law enforcement to arm drones for offensive purposes,” said Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson. “The police didn’t want to preclude any possibility in the future of using the drones to protect citizens.”

But many are already up in arms (ahem) about the potential law. The head of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, David McGuire, said there is potential for abuse.

“We’ve seen some police in Connecticut use disproportionate force against people of minorities, and we think that drones would exacerbate this problem,” McGuire told CNN. “We’ve been working hard to try and reestablish trust in law enforcement, and this bill sends the wrong message.”

A quick Google search shows that in the last year, there have been scores of documented police brutality cases in Connecticut including in Hartford, New London and Waterbury just to name a few.

“We don’t want these new technologies in our neighborhood because we know that eventually they will be abused and turned against us,” he said.

The question many ask is given history why wouldn’t they?

#Drones #Weapons #Police #Bill #Law #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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You Can Order a $400,000 Flying Car Right Now - Charles D'Alberto

The flying car is here! Woo! Dutch company PAL-V is on track to begin delivery of its Liberty flying car late next year, with the business officially opening up its order books to customers interested in owning the nearly half-million-dollar vehicle.

Equipped with a pair of engines—one each for ground and air travel—the two-seat Liberty is claimed to weigh a mere 1413 pounds. We assume this figure marks the Liberty's dry weight, as the vehicle's 26.4-gallon fuel tank is good for about 160 pounds of weight in gasoline alone. While PAL-V is keeping its lips sealed when it comes to the Liberty's powertrain specifics, here's what we do know: Both engines are supplied by the Austrian aircraft-engine manufacturer Rotax, and when left to its own devices on tarmac, the Liberty is said to produce 100 horsepower, achieve fuel economy of 31 mpg, and accelerate to 62 mph in less than nine seconds on its way to a 100-mph top speed.

PAL-V claims that the switch to flying mode takes between five and 10 minutes, with the company noting that most of the conversion process is done via the vehicle's Semi-Automatic Conversion System, leaving the driver/pilot the task of manually unfolding the Liberty's rotor blade, propeller, and tail. Entering flying mode transforms the Liberty from a 13.1-foot-long and 5.4-foot-tall car into a 20.1-foot-long and 10.5-foot-tall flying machine. In the sky, the Liberty's secondary engine makes 200 horsepower and can speed the craft through the air at speeds as high as 112 mph while reaching a maximum operating altitude of 11,480 feet. Those seeking efficiency, though, will want to cruise at a more economical flying speed of 87 mph, which gives the flying machine a maximum range of 310 miles. Add a passenger in the Liberty's second seat, though, and that range drops to 248 miles.

Of course, the PAL-V can't be flown by just anyone. The company notes that the Liberty's operator must have both a driver's and pilot's license to use the vehicle in its two forms. Likewise, a 10-to-15-minute pre-flight inspection is required before entering any airspace. Since this is the 21st century, PAL-V has developed an app that allows Liberty owners to calculate the time they're saving overall by flying as opposed to driving, letting customers know that the time spent during the pre-flight inspection really is worth it. The app also lets the operator know how many stops are needed to fly to a given destination, among other features.

Although the PAL-V Liberty starts at $399,000 for the Sport model, interested customers can choose to drop an additional $200,000 on one of the company's 90-unit run of Pioneer Edition models. While both the Sport and Pioneer Edition include a course to familiarize the Liberty's new owner with the vehicle's unique nature, as well as introductory training, only the Pioneer Edition comes standard with items such as dual controls, an electronic flight-instrument system, power heating, and carbon-fiber detailing. For what it's worth, PAL-V notes that each of those features can be added to the Sport as well.

Those interested in purchasing a Liberty will need to write a nonrefundable deposit check for $25,000 for the Pioneer Edition or $10,000 for the Sport. Alternatively, consumers can drop $2500 ($2000 of which is refundable) to lock in a spot on the Liberty's waiting list. While we're as enthralled by the idea of a series-production flying car as the next person, we'd personally take our hundreds of thousands of dollars and invest it in something that's liquid today.

#Flying_Car #Helicopter #Aviation #Charles_Dalberto #Perla_Group

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