AirScooter II, Moller M400, Springtail EFV, PAL-V... These are all real commuter light aircraft that real people could really commute with. For real. Really...
Burt's offering is no better than the Terrafugia that recently made some headlines.
If you can't park it in a Target/Wal-Mart parking lot, it isn't going to take off in the general marketplace.
“AirScooter II, Moller M400, Springtail EFV, PAL-V... These are all real commuter light aircraft that real people could really commute with. For real. Really... “
Did I miss the /sarc tag??
“Question: When is the AirScooter going to be available?
Answer: The AirScooter II is not in production. The company is evaluating improvements and new designs and seeking funding to produce a PAV.”
http://www.airscooter.com/pages/faqs.htm
4.1.When will the M400 be available?
Limited numbers are expected to be available within the next three years. These will be used for marketing demonstrators, special sales, and military applications. A FAA certified model is more than four years away. We already have over 100 reservations for the FAA certified models. The timing of the models available to the public will depend on the speed of the government in certifying the vehicle as airworthy. Moller has little or no control in this process.
http://www.moller.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=93#1.1
“Design Consulting”
“Fabrication”
“Technology Licensing”
(the Springtail EFV is listed on their “Previous Products”)
http://www.trekaero.com/
“After 6 years of concept work, PAL-V Europe BV has now entered the next phase. It is starting to build the first commercial prototype, ready to start production and carry out the market launch of the PAL-V ONE by 2012. “
http://ideasandgadgets.blogspot.com/2008/07/pal-v-super-cool-flying-car.html
No mention of delivery date or price that I could find on the company website.
Of these four, the PAL-V looks like it has the best chance of making it to production and sale. I not too sure how the gyrocopter will work with that very narrow track. Ground resonance could be a bear!