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Carplane Emerges in Europe

Carplane
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Carplane is a new flying car prototype featuring an unusual side-by-side twin-fuselage, high-wing design that debuted at Aero Friedrichshafen.
  • It is designed for strong ground drivability (110 mph top speed) and efficient flight (120 knots, under 300ft takeoff), with wings and empennage folding and stowing between the hulls for compact road use and garage storage.
  • While the project has consistently met development targets, its market certification, especially in the U.S., faces challenges due to weight restrictions and the lack of an equivalent "Very Light Aircraft" category as in Europe.
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Another flying car prototype made its debut a couple of weeks ago at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany. Rather than having one cabin, the unusual two-seat, high-wing design has two fuselages arranged side-by-side.

The designers from Braunschweig, Germany, claim the arrangement improves drivability on the ground, allowing the Carplane to drive as well as a compact car with a top speed on the ground of 110 mph. And while the vehicle has only one 151 hp PC850 engine, it drives both the propeller and rear wheels for takeoff, providing a shorter takeoff distance than with the propeller alone. Initial specs estimate that the aircraft will be able to get off the ground in less than 300 feet, climb at 1,150 fpm and fly as fast as 120 knots.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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