PAL-V Roadable Gyrocopter Flies In Europe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHSaNtAMjs
PAL-V, a personal air and land vehicle, has been in development in the Netherlands for several years, and recently achieved its first flight, the company said on Monday. A folding pusher prop provides power and the auto-rotating rotor provides lift. On the road, the vehicle accelerates like a sports car and handles like a motorcycle, according to the company. Several flights were conducted over the last two weeks, the company said. Robert Dingemanse, CEO and co-founder of PAL-V, said he is now inviting investors to help support development of the aircraft. "We know there is a lot of interest for the PAL-V," he said. "Prior to announcing these test flights, we were already approached on a daily basis by potential customers and dealers wanting to be part of this exciting project."
The vehicle complies with existing regulations for air and road traffic in all major markets, the company said, and in the U.S., operators will require a sport pilot certificate to fly it. It takes off and lands at low speed, is easy to control, and won't stall, according to the news release. The maximum flight range is about 300 miles, and on the ground, it can drive for 750 miles. It runs on gasoline and versions will be available that use biodiesel, the company said. Maximum speed is 110 mph on the land or in the air. The video was posted on YouTube on April 1, which raised the question whether it's a fake; however, the company has been known to be working on the project ( http://www.thebutterflyllc.com/sscycle/sscycle.htm ) for several years.
http://www.thebutterflyllc.com/video/videos_av.htm

This is great, but do we want it to become widespread?

Born and raised in the UK and living in Germany, The Netherlands and France over the years, I had previously failed to appreciate that, despite the myths, most Europeans actually practice a very high standard of driving, with regard to many other continents.

I fully understood this when I moved to Australia, the most beautiful, friendly country in the world, a place I feel priviliged to wake up in every day.

However, this technology must not be allowed to fall into their hands!

Interesting. More of a drivable ultralight than it is s flying car, but cool nonetheless. I could see vehicles like this being very useful in wide open rural spaces, but unless there's a quantum leap in air traffic control it could be disastrous in urban areas!