Nano-Biotechnology

You Can Buy a Flying Saucer Right Now: $90,000

Much more than standard hovercrafts

By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor

6th of August 2007, 06:48 GMT

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Did you grow up with "E.T" and "Star Wars"? Now, the only thing that stays between you and your own flying saucer are $90,000. But unlike in the SF movie, the current flying saucer is just a car-sized hovercraft that won't take you to another planet: it will fly just up to 10 feet (3 m) high.

The hovercraft is named M200G and built by Moller International of Davis, CA. Its movement is determined by the downdraft of eight small

but powerful rotary engines.

"The craft can carry a payload of 112 kg (250 pounds) and is stabilized by a computer system," explained Moller spokesman Bruce Calkins.

A joystick is employed for steering and the desired altitude (determined with proximity radar) is set with a lever.

"The 10-foot maximum altitude is constrained by the system's computer-it could fly much higher but doing so would require a pilot's license. I don't know exactly who will adopt it first, but the likeliest users are those who are unable to go out and use the land they may already own, because it's a rocky seashore, a swamp, or a bog, with obstructions that would prevent a hovercraft from working," Calkins said.

A standard hovercraft presents a skirt around the bottom and the air pocket can be lost over uneven surfaces. The new hovercraft can consume gasoline but also a combination of ethanol and water, so that it can be environmentally friendly. Still, it requires a lot of fuel.

"With a top speed of about 50 mph (80kmph) it can travel for about an hour, but will consume about 40 gallons (150 l) of fuel during that trip. The craft also emits an earsplitting 85 decibels. With mufflers, Moller eventually hopes to reduce the noise level to a more moderate 65 decibels," said Calkins.

Six demo models will be built by Moller during the next 12 months and then approximately 40 during the following 12 months and the total production could reach 200 to 250 per year thereafter.

"If the demand exceeds 250 per year they'll subcontract the work to bigger factories. The $90,000 price does not include any options, such as airbags or a radio," signaled Calkins.

TAGS:

hovercraft | engine | fuel

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