A helicopter/car hybrid is fast taking shape and impresses with first flight

Just yesterday we reported a concept 'flying car' in the works. While the Terrafugia Transition is more of a light wing aircraft than can be driven on normal roads, the Dutch PAL-V One is similarly different. The accurate term for the PAL-V One (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) is perhaps a driving gyrocopter, or technically known as a Autogyro.

According to the company, this helicar(that is what we are calling it) can reach speeds of 196km/h. To take off, the auto-rotating main rotor and the gas-engine powered propeller extends, and you can take to the air, much like a normal helicopter. Airspeed is also 196kmh, with a flight range up to 506km. Judging by the size of the vehicle in the video, I believe any top deck of a local multi-story carpark should suffice.

The PAL-V One has finished its maiden flight and hopes to start delivery in 2014 if it can secure investors.