Dubai: An aviation company in Dubai has inked a deal with a Dutch business to introduce the world's first flying car to the Middle East and Africa.
Aviterra, an aviation and aerospace component manufacturing company, will purchase over 100 of PAL-V's Liberty flying cars and invest in the European company. PAL-V stands for Personal Air and Land Vehicle.
Described as the world's first flying car, the Liberty combines a gyroplane and a car, akin to something from a James Bond movie. It transforms from a road vehicle into an aircraft, with propellers and rear flaps stored on the roof and in the back in drive mode. The transformation into an aircraft takes five minutes, with helicopter-like blades rising from the roof and flaps extending from the back.
The Liberty has a flight range of 400-500km and a maximum speed of 180 kph, reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. It requires a 200-meter airstrip or airfield for takeoff and landing. The vehicle runs on regular petrol, with plans to transition to electricity in the future.
Priced at $799,000, the Liberty targets high-end, corporate and government customers. It is valued for its mobility, catering to various operations like border control, homeland security and military purposes, as well as for fast first responders to reach remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are committed to introducing advanced air mobility. Dubai aims to have air taxis in the city within the next two years, while Abu Dhabi plans to introduce all-electric air taxi operations by 2026.
The introduction of the Liberty flying car represents a significant advancement in air mobility, offering door-to-door transport, unlike traditional eVTOLs. With certifications in their final stages, PAL-V is set to begin deliveries, marking a milestone in transportation innovation.