Moller International develops two new light-sport Skycars

Moller International, Inc., the developer of the Skycar® aircraft, the Rotapower® line of rotary engines and the Aerobot® line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) announced today the completion of the initial design phase for two new Skycars which may qualify under the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

As Moller International moves forward with joint venture plans in China and logistics planning for the M400X Skycar inaugural flight, Moller engineers continue to explore new product concepts.

The Company feels that the FAA's introduction of the LSA category has opened up a remarkable opportunity to advance aviation in America. Producing aircraft in this category may be less costly and ultimately allow the Company to produce an aircraft that is less expensive and have lower operational costs. Furthermore, operators of aircraft in the LSA category are required to have a Sport Pilot certificate rather than the more difficult to obtain pilot's license.

This development will definitely lower the cost of its Skycars and the cost of their operation. Using the criteria set forth under the LSA category the Company embarked on a new design program that combined the previously demonstrated vertical take off and landing (VTOL) ability of its 4-passenger Skycar® with the requirements of this new category. "We are very excited about the immediate marketability of our two-passenger Skycar 200 LS, two-passenger Neuera and single-passenger Skycar 100 LS models once they are approved to operate under the LSA classification," said Dr. Paul Moller, President of Moller International.

"While it is not practical for the Skycar to hover for the length of time that a helicopter can in any one flight, it can easily perform other missions where the requirement for hover time is limited and where dash and cruise speed are critical. Our simple and effective method to achieve high-speed VTOL in a small, light weight aircraft has the potential to have very low initial operating and maintenance costs," says Bruce Calkins, Moller International's General Manager. "Our Skycar 400 has huge potential in the personal transportation market, and we hope to bring the smaller, more affordable LS series on line quicker and easier. The characteristics of the LSA category certainly make this an attractive option."