Worlds First Flying Skycar Takes Off from London to Timbuktu
A group of daredevils set sail on the ultimate magical childhood dream adventure today, traveling in a flying car for a 42 day journey from London to Timbuktu — a place that’s had a mystical, “middle of nowhere” reputation for decades. The ‘Parajet Skycar’ can change from ground to flying mode in a mere 3 minutes, and will make the epic 3,600-mile (5,800-kilometer) journey by both land and air.
Photo Sun
The “world’s first road legal bio-fuelled flying car” is essentially a 1,000lb (480 kilo) dune buggy with a fan motor and paragliding wing attached. It can reach altitudes of up to 15,000 feet (4,570 meters), with a normal cruising height of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (600 to 900 meters), and a flight range of 185 miles (300 kilometers).
Skycar runs on the ground on a biofuel-powered 4-cylinder, 1,000cc engine, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds flat, has a top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h), with a range of 240 miles (306 kilometers), and an independent 4-wheel suspension to cope with the toughest terrain.
Taking off. Photo Sun
Photo Sun
A special nylon wing is unpacked from the trunk before unfurling the parachute on the ground to the rear and takes barely 3 minutes to convert into an aircraft.
Its powerful rear fan’s thrust propels the buggy forward and provides enough lift for the “ParaWing” to take off at just 45 mph (70 km/h), from any “airstrip” longer than 650 feet (200 meters), and once in the air it can fly at speeds of up to around 70 mph (110 km/h), cruising at 600-900 meters with a paraglider-style canopy holding it aloft.
Once airborne, the driver uses pedals in the zero-carbon vehicle’s foot well to steer it by tugging cables that change the wing’s shape. Should something go wrong, the pilot can launch an emergency parachute, which should allow the buggy to safely drift gently back to ground, the descent slowed by the wing.
The 2-seater Skycar was designed by engineer and inventor Giles Cardozo, from Dorset, in just 18 months.
On its maiden flight. Photo Sun
Landing … touchdown. Photo Sun
Led by pilot Neil Laughton from West Sussex who served in the SAS, the team took off in the vehicle that can “drive like a car” and “fly like a plane” from Knightsbridge, London to begin its journey.
The expedition will travel through France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara and the desert city of Timbuktu in Mali, with plans to drive the Skycar where there are roads, and fly over the Straits of Gibraltar, the Atlas mountains in Morocco and the trackless wastes of the Empty Quarter of the Sahara.
Their goal is to reach Timbuktu on February 20th, with a supporting group of up to 13 people following on the ground in all-terrain vehicles and motorbikes.
The team had hoped to fly the Skycar over the English Channel but were prevented by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations. A spokesman for the CAA said there were no regulations prohibiting the Skycar from flying across the Channel, but since it doesn’t have full European certification, permission would also be needed from the French authorities.
The CAA had worked with the Skycar team to help get a permit to fly, he added.
Photo Sun
Laughton admitted the car had not yet been tested to any “distance, heat or endurance” and that there was an element of “mad Brits” about the adventure.
“Clearly the reliability of the car is crucial. We’re going to have to cope with wind chill temperatures as low as -30C (-22F) and blistering heat up to 50C (122F). But it’s been fully tested at a secret location and it 100% works.”
Laughton said he was particularly looking forward to visiting villages in West Africa.
“I just can’t wait to see their faces when we fly in and start playing football with them.” he said. “I don’t think they will be able to believe somebody in a flying car has just visited them.”
The team – Neil Laughton, left, and pilot Giles Cardozo. Photo Sun
The team is keenly aware that it’s is not just the natural barriers which could prove hostile. Neil Laughton said the journey through the Sahara posed some serious dangers.
“Sadly the political situation in some areas on our route is not good and there are some unsavory people about so we must be careful.” said Laughton.
The annual Paris-Dakar rally was cancelled in 2007 amid reported threats from Islamic militants in Mauritania.
“We have been following the Foreign Office advice on the political situation in the area northwest of Timbuktu. There is a significant kidnap threat in that area so we will be choosing our route very carefully and not publicizing it too widely.”
The vehicle will have to negotiate a minefield in Mauritania – “I might fly that one.” said Laughton. An estimated 40% of the journey will be by flight.
All aboard the flying machine. Photo Sun
Giles Cardozo — dubbed the “boy genius” by Laughton — will join the expedition as co-pilot for the African leg of the Skycar’s maiden voyage, which is backed by famous British explorer Ranulph Fiennes.
Even Laughton — who’s scaled the highest mountains on 7 continents and trekked at the North Pole — admits his latest “boy’s own” adventure is a little eccentric.
“I like variety and thought this would be an interesting challenge.” he said. “Also Timbuktu is an iconic and quirky destination.”
Photo Sun
Cardozo’s Wiltshire-based firm, Parajet, manufactures the industrial paramotors that propel the Skycar once it’s airborne and has been dreaming of creating a flying car since childhood.
“The inspiration came from realizing we can drive and we can fly, so why can’t we do both? The problem all along has been the wing technology, which we think we’ve cracked with the Skycar.” said Cardozo.
The self-taught engineer built and co-piloted the powered paraglider which took British TV survivalist Bear Grylls over the summit of Mount Everest in 2007.
With the help of sponsors, the team has invested about $380,000 (£250,000) developing the vehicle.
He plans to sell Skycars to the public for “beating congestion, or providing a low-cost method of reaching remote regions” at $76,000 (£50,000) each if it can prove its mettle on the Timbuktu mission.
But the expedition isn’t only about proving the viability of this unique vehicle. The team plans to raise more than £100,000 for a number of charities, including Alive and Kicking, which distributes footballs bearing health advice in Africa.
Sources: Telegraph, BBC, and Guardian
Will this car reach TIMBUKTU:
Cool. I would want to have one. Thanx a lot for the interesting news item and wonderful pics.
This is just what America needs to drive down fuel cost.
Wow, cool car!
thats funny stuff – not intrested in a flying car myself
Nice car,they should be well appreciated for making this happen, in feel one should always be apprecaited when they do something great.
all the best for ur sucess.
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I saw this flying skycar in TV and I doubted about its safety, Deborah.
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its really cool vehicle, it seems that highway is not enough for some people like Giles Cardozo, great pictorials too
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Wow , that’s a cool flying car. The people behind it must be really good designing it. I just wish them luck to their journey.
cool site! really love to read here! thanks for the info…
That was amazing..but I don’t think I can ride on it..Its a little bit creepy..
I smell a rat. Why are all the photos showing it flying just the same two shots of the car pasted over different backgrounds? The only picture that looks real is the one showing it about six inches off the ground.
Fake, fake, fake.
Bad Photoshop skills won’t get them to Timbuktu.
This is bullsh**, pictures of the car flying look too “perfect.” Show some live video from take-off, flying and then landing. I see photo shopped photos.
To all of the nay-sayers believing that this is fake, and to WesOrion asking for live video for take-off and landing, try actually watching the video, ahem. I believe that the first imaged was shopped to give an impression over London skies, but not the rest.
This is great invention,
Yes , would be great to drive that car, and no traffic jam
Thank you for your post.
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seems like an alright idea, but imagine a big gust of wind throwing a 1000 pound car at a building, just seems a bit sketchy
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thanks for having such nice tips in your blog.
That would be awesome, to be able to go from the ground to the air in a few minutes in your car. Much better than the amphibious cars (boring compared to this).
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Wow that is so cool! I want one of these hahaha!!! I’m sure it has a sick MPG!!
I longed to ride this kind of “flying car”. I want to fly – the natural way of course. Is this for sale now? or just a thing of the mind LOL.
At first I thought this was a joke. But after watching the video I can see it really does fly – but man the landings look pretty dangerous.
thats awesome, i wonder what the price tag is to get one made
seems that the dream of many traffic-stress men, came true!
thanks for sharing!
They will never make it to Timbuktu…and I can only imagine how horrific the crash scene will look if something goes wrong in the air.
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I’m a kitesurfer, buggie and sail don’t mix. I’d like to see the pictures of the sail lines caught in the prop. Got any?
British people, to me, are daredevils in general. They are so adventurous. You gotta like that about them. Very imaginative people. That flying skycar and its quest is a good achievement for these individuals.
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I think, that it’s really great, when Your dream becomes true.
So, I’m very pleased with them!
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Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations
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Good to see that there are still some crazy guys out there
willing to take some risks. This car could prove to be very helpful for a lot of people if they get it into production. i hope the raise some money for charity as well.
One of these look a little air brushed. Is it real? This makes me think how the US should have done that instead of trying to fly an airplane over NYC!
Really they people have guts and done wonderful things..
Great story, this car would be great in traffic.
This story blew me away. I would love to take a ride in that car. I can only dream that actual flying cars will be available in the very near future.
Wow that is so cool!
Not sure a ride in that thing is for me, but it is pretty neat nonetheless. (And I’m pretty sure some of the photos aren’t entirely genuine as mentioned by other comenters!)
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Interesting! Almost like the Redbull Flugtag with aspirations to something greater!
wow… this is a cool car!
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Wow that is so cool!
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Great story, this car would be great in traffic. Very good article, nice piece of information, I really like it.
That is too cool nice post keep them coming
This really looks amazing. Proven that the human imagination, and this time made the right miracle and great pleasure for many people. This is really a big attraction.
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I would love to own this car however wouldnt like to be driving home from my girlfreinds in the city with all those skyscrapers around….especially in a windstorm!
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Talk about alternative energy. This is fabulous. Love the photos
Amazing… I would like to pick one for myself… Great design
Wow… it’s amazing vehicle, I really love your bravery. Good luck an keep safety.
Even I have no idea why people need to do that, it’s a great achievement.
thankyou for your sharing, keep posting such stuff in the future as well. We will be looking at you
nice post, and an amazing car… How do people think something like this…
very nice post man.. great pictures..
Nice pictures. Can we copy them?
good invention.
hurm..but I regret the safety of that thing.. :p
I must have one of these cars! SO glad that I stumbled across your blog today. I will visit often.
That would be the craziest thing in the world to ride in.
Wow man very nice cars i must have one of those lol.
but how much does this cost dont you know?
and maybe they invent swimming cars who know
Haha that buggy looks freaking awesome. I would like one of those.
Thanks a lot, its all about the Fonts in my opinion. Ill come by to read some more of you
thats really a nice flying car.. would like posses one of them one day.. really nice
Wao really veri nice ride .
That car is so cool! I want one although I’d probably take out some powerlines…lol
I wish I could buy one
Flying cars have always been a cool concept, but the reality would be a disaster. Do you see how people drive on the road out here today? I am not anxiously awaiting the day these things are placed into the hands of the everyday human.
I was just talking to my dad about how neat it would be to have something like this.
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Wow! That is a clever piece of kit.
I wonder if we will see production flying cars anytime soon…
This is hilarious, love this kind of story. Hope they make it.
I love this car..i wish and dream i could buy like this one!
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ahah, nice idea, but I personally prefer this kind of flight http://www.eyje.com/pictures/amazing/Jet_Powered_Flying_Jet_Man_The_Flying_Man
I must say when I first saw the photos I thought it was fake, but the story was interesting and so I read on. Now I’m rooting for the Timbuktu flight. Will you keep us updated?
Is there any way to get in touch with the pilot Neil Laughton?
If only I could use this thing for my morning commute — maybe then I could actually get there on time lol!
Wow! That is a clever piece of kit.
I would absolutely love to hear more about this flying car. So would the next trip be from Timbuktu to Katmandu? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
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This is really different. I’ve never seen somthing quite like it and I really enjoy this story. Thanks for posting!
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That flying skycar and its quest is a good achievement for these individuals. I first saw the photos I thought it was fake, but the story was interesting and so I read on. Now I’m rooting for the Timbuktu flight.
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Wow… it’s Excellent vehicle. When I first saw the photos I thought it was amazing.Really it is too brave to create this Skycar and it is too innovative.
Now that is a cool car. I’m a bit of an aircraft enthusiast and don’t think I’ve seen that before!
I hope I could afford it someday. Then I will drive with my dog to LA.My dream!Hopefully , it can be realized.It’s not hard but it’s not easy
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How about a follow up did they make it there?
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how can they even call this a car? i cant be the only one that sees this as a paraglider with a go kart attached?? its ridiculous, its using a parachute thing for flight ffs! hardly what you imagine when you think of a flying car. ah well made me laugh anyway.
Looks like a lot of fun, I have to admit there is no money on this earth that would tempt me to pull a stunt like this one
noooooooooo way
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LOL, seems like a joke to me. But, great idea though.
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Is this car up to any new journeys? How about a cross country session in Asia?
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This is very interesting. Do you have to get a visa if your going to cross borders with this?
Now I know what to ask for my bday.
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thanks for all admin
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My world should contain pathfinder who will lead us to the journey…………….
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woah!!! that is the coolest thing ive ever seen… are you sure it reached TIMBUKTU? lol….
i wonder what comes next…. maybe a fying motorbike?
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This is just what America needs to drive down fuel cost.
woa…… i love this
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Wow flying car, hope can see it in reality
According to MSNBC it arrived there, here’s the link with some other flying cars too:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33676074/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/ns/technology_and_science-innovation?pg=5#Tech_FlyingCars
This is just what America needs to drive down fuel cost.
I think it will be an adventurous ride.Its a great invention.
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The pilot can launch an emergency parachute, which should allow the buggy to safely drift gently back to ground. I think the key word here is should.
Impressive !!! The car of the future ….
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That is awesome
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Thats just so Cool, Wish i had the balls to go off and do something adventurous like that rather than stay at home reading about such things!!
Wow, that is absolutely amazing. I’d love to get a ride in that car!
wow thats cool and brave..
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The pictures are very good. some people try to do some unbelievable risky things and they make history.
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Traffic is the most horrable thing……..that happens to one.
This is really a great invention, would be great to drive with no traffic jam ,I would like to
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Thank you for your post.