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Buy a Moller SkyCar Prototype on eBay

Posted by michael on from the make-you-heirs-happy dept.

HobbySpacer writes "Moller International has announced that it will offer its first working Skycar for sale on eBay starting January 31st - Press Release. The M400P prototype has repeatedly flown short hovering flights on tethers in tests since 2001 (see videos). The company warns that although '[a]ll systems are operational. Potential buyers are cautioned that this is a prototype model and considered an experimental aircraft.' Also, 'the Skycar has not yet been approved as a road vehicle.' A more powerful 2nd gen production version is currently under construction for longer untethered test flights this year."

9 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Question by jdkincad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would a flying car need to be approved as a road vehicle?

    --
    The great advantage of having a reputation for being stupid: People are less suspicious of you.
  2. Right after MOO3... by TrixX · · Score: 5, Funny


    So I guess Duke Nukem Forever is coming out soon.

  3. Affordable? by theNote · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The site says the car is "personally affordable".

    Then, when you click on the purchase link you find out it costs $1,000,000.

  4. Doh! by JohnFluxx · · Score: 4, Funny

    I was all set to place a bid, and had my millions ready to put down. I complied with everything they wanted, then I saw right near the end it said:

    "You must be 18 years of age or older to Bid."

    dammit.

  5. Moller...bwahahahahaha by Alioth · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Moller's Skycar has been "six months away from flight" for longer than I've been alive. The thing is a nightmare from an inteference drag standpoint, and his figures for fuel consumption are totally unrealistic (especially as the BSFC for the type of engine he's using is worse than traditional spark-ignition reciprocating engines).

    Based on Moller's track record, the thing will _never_ fly. All it does is suck investment money. He's even worse than Bede (at least a few of Bede's aircraft actually flew and were successful).

    --
    Oolite: Elite-like game. For Mac, Linux and Windows
  6. Ok... by Cyno01 · · Score: 4, Funny

    But when are we going to get the flying cars?!? Oh wait...

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  7. Re:Um... why? by JohnFluxx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Personally I think it's all about insurance.

    It said that it can't do untethered flight because the insurance would go way up. Also they haven't yet tried any manned flights for the same reason.

    What they want is for someone to fly it. They are banking on that someone who pays $1m for a flying car is actually going to want to use it.
    Then they just check the darwin awards every day to see how long it lasts... :)

  8. Pigs are flying... by spac · · Score: 5, Funny

    First MOO3, now a flying car?

    Can you hear that? It's hell... freezing over.

  9. Legal to fly by mikewas · · Score: 4, Interesting
    This falls within the experimental aircraft catagory. This includes just about any aircraft that didn't come off of an assembly line including one-of-a-kind or kit-built aircraft as well as aircraft not designed for commercial use like warbirds.

    The Experimental Aircraft Asscociation is a group of people interested in these types of aircraft. There's a large airshow hosted by them in Osh Kosh.

    These aircraft are subjected to thorough inspection by certified mechanics and FAA inspectors during their construction or restoration. In addition, owners of this type of aircraft tend to be more knowledgable than your average privat pilot. The result is that aircraft certificated (it's an FAA term, not a typo) as experimental aircraft have an excellent safety record. You can fly them anywhere any other private aircraft may be flown.

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    "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." --Napoleon Bonaparte