Skyrunner – The Car That Flies
Alessandro Ilarda
Jun 1, 2014
Designed for those who have been scouring the Earth for the ultimate adrenaline rush, the SkyRunner is a flying car of sorts that is as fast as a Porsche. Claiming to be the absolute recreational vehicle, the SkyRunner is being developed by a British engineering firm.
Read Also: Mix Aerospace Presents Skylys – A Flying Car
A Car That Can Fly
The buggy can tread all kinds of terrains, and exhibits a lightweight construction which enables it to fly. Fitted with a turbo charged engine, propeller and paragliding wing, the SkyRunner is fully equipped to take you on that adrenaline-fueled ride that you’ve always had an itch for.
Godspeed
The SkyRunner is lightning fast whether on the ground or in the air, and doesn’t require an airport runway for its takeoff and landing. A grassy field, beach or just about any area that is long and empty will do. What you do need to have though, is a Sport Pilot license.
Tech Specs
A 1.0 liter Ford EcoBoost direct injection turbo engine powers the SkyRunner, providing it with 123 brake horsepower and 147.5lb/ft (200Nm) of torque. The vehicle goes from a 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds (97 km/h), which is the same as mid-range Porsche 911.
The 926-lb (420-kg) vehicle has a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h) on the ground and 55 mph (89 km/h) in the air, with one tank of gas taking it 500 miles (805 km) on the road at 56.5 mpg (5 L/100 km), or 200 nautical miles (322 km) in the sky.
Design And Control
Being a parasail vehicle, the SkyRunner consists of a propeller on its back that holds a parachute-like wing which folds up when not in use. When you want to fly, you simply have to lay the wing out behind the SkyRunner and fire up the propeller. You’ll be zipping across the ground till a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h) is reached, after which the vehicle is pulled into the air because of the lifting force of the wing.
Price And Availability
Presently awaiting light sport aircraft certification, the SkyRunner is expected to be available for purchase by next year priced at $119,000.
