GKN Fokker to advise design, manufacture of PAL-V flying cars

 

 

GKN Fokker (Hoogeveen, Netherlands) has agreed to advise PAL-V International B.V. (Raamsdonksveer, Netherlands) in the design, certification, engineering and manufacturing of its products, including the composites-intensive, commercial flying car PAL-V Liberty, featuring a compostie body and rotor. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding during the Paris Air Show in June.

The PAL-V is based on the gyroplane, which the company says is the easiest and safest way of flying. The company is currently in the final, compliance demonstration stage of certifying the PAL-V Liberty. The first deliveries for the vehicles are expected to be made in the beginning of 2021.

“GKN Fokker’s assistance strengthens our business with the capabilities and technologies of a world leader in the aviation industry,” says Robert Dingemanse, CEO of PAL-V. 

The PAL-V promises door-to-door flying mobility by combining both flying and driving in one vehicle, said to enable mobility regardless of weather conditions or the availability of infrastructure. The cars will be available for private use but are also intended for professional applications like police vehicles, border control, military, coast guard and first responders.

PAL-V and GKN Fokker say that they will explore the possibility of building special versions of the vehicles at a GKN Fokker site to offer the required security levels which PAL-V does not have at its standard production facility. 

“PAL-V is an exciting company in the growing personal flying mobility market. We are happy to support them in taking the next step. This innovative product can help the aviation industry in moving to the next chapter of personal flying mobility. As GKN Fokker, we want to assist them in their growth,” says Adriaan Leyte, VP of new business development at GKN Fokker.