Sharjah recently showcased the PAL-V Liberty, an $800 000 flying car that can travel from Abu Dhabi to Muscat in just 2 hours and 20 minutes. This innovative vehicle represents a significant advancement in transportation technology, allowing users to bypass congested roads by taking to the skies. The PAL-V Liberty, described as the world’s first real flying car, combines the features of a gyroplane and a roadworthy vehicle, addressing the growing need for flexible travel options.

Robert Dingemanse, CEO and Founder of PAL-V, emphasized that the Liberty can cover a flight range of 500 kilometers at a maximum airspeed of 180 kilometers per hour. To operate the vehicle, users will require both a driver’s license and a gyroplane license. The prototype was displayed for the first time in the UAE at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) on Thursday.

The vehicle has garnered attention in the region as Aviterra, a Dubai-based company, has already placed an order for 101 PAL-V Liberty flying cars to be distributed across the Middle East and Africa. Aviterra is supported by one of the founders of Jetex, a company specializing in executive aviation. Furthermore, Dingemanse noted that PAL-V’s current order book is valued between €150 to €200 million, with approximately 20-30 percent coming from the Middle East.

PAL-V is also in the process of securing necessary clearances from local aviation authorities, such as the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Dingemanse highlighted the interest from global certification bodies, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which are pivotal for the vehicle’s market entry.

Juma Alhaj, the communications strategy and marketing director at SRTIP, stated that discussions are underway to potentially establish an assembly line for the PAL-V Liberty in Sharjah. He noted that the collaboration aims to boost the local economy and leverage university resources for ongoing research and development. Alhaj remarked, “We act as a conduit, connect potential buyers, researchers to further the technology, and connect them to government sectors.”

The PAL-V Liberty’s design allows it to transition from a three-wheeled car to a gyroplane in approximately three minutes, needing only a short airstrip of around 200 meters for takeoff and 30 meters for landing. Dingemanse has ambitious plans for the future, including establishing multiple training centers worldwide for prospective pilots.

Potential use-case scenarios for the PAL-V Liberty include rapid transportation of specialists to crisis areas, safer transport compared to traditional aircraft, and serving as a quick delivery solution for goods and medical supplies. The vehicle’s versatility could also benefit various sectors, including military operations, policing, and VIP transportation, as noted by Dingemanse.