Austrian aircraft maintenance firm Primus Aero has decided to purchase a fleet of PAL-V’s Liberty “flying cars,” the companies announced on Thursday.
A PAL-V spokesperson told FutureFlight that Primus has initially reserved five Liberty vehicles, and the company has already placed down payments for those deliveries. Primus will primarily use the two-seat, drive-and-fly vehicles to quickly transport maintenance technicians and spare parts to clients at various airports, thereby reducing aircraft downtime.
“The PAL-V is a time-saving machine for us,” said Primus Aero founder and CEO Stephan Krainer. “Our staff consists of highly trained and qualified experts, with decent incomes. Having them stuck in traffic jams is a very inefficient use of their time. By incorporating PAL-Vs into our operations, we will save time and money by reducing unproductive times.”
In addition to aircraft maintenance, Primus offers technical management services, asset management, and the acquisition, storage, and delivery of spare parts. The company is also a continuing airworthiness management organization with approvals from both EASA and the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority.
“Currently, if a maintenance issue arises at an airport outside our base, someone must drive there," Krainer said. "In Austria, this can be a long journey due to the mountainous and winding roads. By using the PAL-V [Liberty] to fly one of our maintenance personnel to the destination and giving them the flexibility to use the PAL-V as a service car when landed, we can greatly reduce the downtime of our clients' aircraft.”
PAL-V (short for Personal Air and Land Vehicle), which is based in the Netherlands, has been developing the Liberty drive-and-fly vehicle since 2008, and it has already been approved for road use in Europe. The two-seat flying car has foldable propellers that are stowed while driving. Transitioning to flight mode, a large, helicopter-style rotor unfurls overhead while a smaller pusher propeller extends from the rear to provide forward propulsion.
In its driving configuration, the twin-piston vehicle has a top speed of 160 kph (99 mph) and a range of 1,315 kilometers (822 miles). In flight mode, it’s designed to reach speeds of 180 kph (113 mph) and fly up to 500 kilometers (313 miles) with fuel reserves. The vehicle runs on unleaded automotive fuel. With no passengers or cargo on board, it weighs 664 kilograms (1,460 pounds), while its maximum takeoff weight is 910 kilograms (2,000 pounds).
PAL-V is seeking type certification for the Liberty flying car under EASA’s CS-27 rules governing the use of gyroplanes with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). The PAL-V spokesperson told FutureFlight that the company now expects to have the Liberty vehicle certified by the end of 2024, after which it will begin delivering to customers.
“The PAL-V Liberty can be used for a wide range of applications," said PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse. "With Primus Aero, they will take advantage of its ability to fly and drive to shorten commuting times and provide their customers with door-to-door air mobility, something only a PAL-V can achieve. On top of that, Primus Aero's extensive expertise in aircraft maintenance positions them as a key regional partner.”
PAL-V plans to offer three versions of the Liberty at varying price points. A low-spec Sports Edition will cost €300,000 ($366,000). With all options included, the standard vehicle will cost €420,000. Its initial offering will be an exclusive, limited-edition version for €500,000. Customers interested in purchasing the vehicle can place a preorder through PAL-V’s website.
