Skycar journeys to Timbuktu

Looking more like a dune buggy with a parasail fixation, the sky car drove/flew from London to Timbuktu, or Tombouctou as the British call it.   The sight must have been incredible for spectators along the way.

The two-seater Skycar runs on biofuel which is a nice touch to the futuristic car.  The car is legal to drive and performs like a rally car with off road capabilities.  In road mode the car has the following features:

1. independent 4 wheel suspension
2. rear wheel drive
3. acceleration from 0-100 kph in 4.5 seconds
4. a top speed of 180 kph
5. a range of 400 km.

The Sky car performs like a light aircraft when flying.  When flying the car is self stabilizing and can reach speeds of 100 mph.  It requires a field or runway for take off and a few minutes preparation with the parafoil wing.  The parafoil unfolds easily from the trunk of the car and can be easily folded and repacked in the trunk.

The Skycar is easy to fly and won’t stall or dive like other aircraft. Should the Skycar have engine trouble, the parafoil would make sure that the aircraft glided gently and safely down in the nearest field, desert or sparsely used roadway.  Should the parafoil fail there is a back up parachute.  In flying mode the car has the following features:

1. a take-off speed of 60 kph
2. a top speed of 110 kph
3. a range of 300 km.
4. a cruising altitude of 2000 – 3000 ft
5. a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft.

The trip to Timbuktu began on January 14, 2009 and ended on March 2, 2009.  The Skycar traveled from London, through France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali to Timbuktu, finally returning home via Senegal.  The car was accompanied by a number of support vehicles and personnel to make sure that any problems along the way could be easily handled.

The car will be supported by an experienced team of overland adventurers using an assortment of all-terrain vehicles including, 4×4′s, off-road motorbikes, a Parajet Paramotor, and a specialist 8×8 truck to carry supplies, biofuel and water.

One of the more memorable moments was the Skycar’s flight across the Strait of Gibraltar.  Since there were no land/water cars included, everyone else in the expedition had to take the long way.

The Skycar was also useful as a recognizance vehicle over the desert stretches, allowing the flying vehicle to help plot the best course for the land vehicles to drive.

Overall the success of the journey has shown that the Skycar is a viable long distance vehicle even over stretches of water and desert that would present a problem for normal vehicles. Already there is a sportier Skycar known as the Parajet Skycar II that is in production and is expected to launch in 2010.

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