PAL-V, Flying Car
Like the Terrafugia Transition flying car, the PAL-V ONE also sports a push propeller, which it uses for forward speed.
The PAL-V One has finished its maiden flight and is now working to secure investors for the commercialization phase – the company hopes to start delivering production models in 2014.It will cost $279,000 and the company said it has already accepted 100 orders.
The PAL-V flies in the air like a gyrocopter with lift generated by an auto-rotating rotor and forward speed produced by a foldable push propeller in the back. It has three wheels, a narrow base, but a high center of gravity and on the ground it drives sort of like a motorcycle thanks to a patented “tilting” system. Read More…
2011 BMW 328 Homage
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original BMW 328 classic of the late 1930s auto brand BMW has unveiled their unique 328 Homage Concept car. The 328 Homage is a modern interpretation of the classic sports car from the 1930s. Bathed in that distinctive diagonal carbon fiber weave, the 328 Homage focuses on lightweight construction through carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The result is a gross vehicle weight of only 780 kilograms (1720 lbs).
Boeing Team’s Innovative SUGAR Volt Concept
Boeing’s team came up with several Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) concepts, including this one, the SUGAR Volt. The most noticeable element of the design is that the wings are long and skinny–longer from tip to tip, and shorter from leading edge to trailing edge–and as a result, truss-braced.
The innovative SUGAR Volt concept is driven by an electric battery gas turbine hybrid propulsion system that can reduce overall fuel usage by 70%.
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Terrafugia Transition “Flying Car” Gets Go-Ahead from US Air Authorities
The Terrafugia Transition, a light aircraft that can convert into a road-legal automobile, is to go into production after being given a special weight exemption by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The Transition was designed as a ‘light sport’ aircraft, the smallest kind of private aeroplane under FAA classification.
But the manufacturers found it impossible to fit the safety features that are required for road vehicles into that weight. Uniquely, however, the FAA has granted the Terrafugia Transition an exemption – allowing it to be classified as a light sport aircraft despite being 120lb over the limit.
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Flying Sailboat by Damien Grossemy: A Zep’lin for Renault
A perfect illustration of French innovation is the Zep’lin designed by Damien Grossemy for Renault. Scheduled for 2015, the project is today an new symbol of eco-design for the car manufacturer.
Recycled Airplane Hotel Suites, Netherlands
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Cold War-era East German Airplane has been transformed into a luxury hotel suite. The airplane, which sits at the Teuge airport has been installed by Dutch company 
Guests even have access to the fully-equipped cockpit at the front of the plane.The one-room suite includes three flat-screen televisions, a sauna, jacuzzi and a Blu-ray player.
Modified Airplane Consumes 45mpg Flying at 207mph
Savier won this year’s Fuelventure 400 in his modified VariEze by getting 45 MPG at 207 MPH, and this with two people on board.
The purpose of the competition was to fly a specified route using the smallest amount of fuel. Not only did Savier achieve the highest fuel efficiency (45 MPG), he did so with the highest average speed over the course: an incredible 207 mph.
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Micro Butterfly RC Plane by Plantraco
The Micro Butterfly RC plane manufactured by Plantraco weighs just a fraction of its heavier counterparts used by RC plane hobbyists.
The biggest advantage to flying a tiny RC plane like the Micro Butterfly from Plantraco is that because they’re so light.
Thanks to a “body” made of durobatic foam and carbon fibre the batteries that go in the 4 channel fully proportional remote control are probably heavier.
E430, World’s First “Electric Aircraft” by Yuneec
Yuneec is an entrant in the green aviation market with the E430 , the first commercial version of a fully electric aircraft.
The twin-seat, single engine, LSA class aircraft can be recharged from a domestic 230V power socket and can fly for two and a half hours on a single charge. The $89,000 aircraft is expected to go on sale this time next year. The plane made its maiden flight in Shanghai, China and is reportedly silent and lacks vibration.
F1 Drivers Line Up for Virgin Galactic Space Flight
Sponsoring the winning Brawn GP car at this past weekend’s race in Bahrain, Virgin Galactic announced their two latest recruits: Rubens Barrichello and Niki Lauda. Barrichello, who is second in the standings for the F1 world championship this year, has already paid the $200,000 for his ticket on one of Virgin’s space flights, which Branson delivered in person at the race. Three-time world champion Niki Lauda, however, is planning to take it even further by undertaking training, at age 60, to pilot the Virgin spacecraft and take other paying tourists up into space. Lauda already owns his own airline and sometimes pilots the flights himself, but even for the driver who’s been to hell and back, this should be a new adventure altogether.
Via [Luxist]
“Suite Above the Clouds” by Swiss Air
Starting this spring, SWISS will gradually introduce a new First Class cabin in conjunction with its fleet renewal program. The focal point is the new SWISS First Seat offering exclusive design, top in-flight comfort, and extensive privacy plus it can be individually adjusted to meet individual wishes and needs. The new “suite above the clouds” marks a further milestone in SWISS’ ongoing quality drive.
Terrafugia Redefines the Flying Car
The “Transition” is a Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) designed to make general aviation more practical for personal transportation.
Biggest Drawing in the World by Erik Nordenenkar
Swedish artist Erik Nordenenkar claims to have created the “biggest drawing in the world” by sending a GPS-equipped plastic briefcase on a squiggly, looping trip around the world, tracing out a 110,664-km (68,763-mile) unbroken line with the help of DHL delivery planes and trucks.
“Jet Set” by Jaime Hayon for Bisazza
Spanish designer Jaime Hayon has designed a fantasy jet complete with open-air seating for mosaic brand Bisazza.
A setting reminiscent of a hangar, totally atypical and chic, hosts a sophisticated “fantasy” aeroplane with a decidedly surreal shape, decorated with white gold mosaic tiles, leather inserts and featuring a neat lounge with padded white sofas.
“The installation’s spectacular atmosphere, created by the use of reflectors, is reminiscent of a scene from an old Hollywood movie. At the heart of the aircraft is a circular lounge. I can imagine this thing flying, with a couple of lovers on board sipping champagne, the atmosphere charged with positive energy and emotions during their flight.
Pimp my Airbus A380 Designed by Edése Doret
Private Jet bragging rights among the ultra rich have just taken a quantum leap to a lavish flying palace that is being created inside the biggest passenger plane ever built. The plane is the Airbus super jumbo A-380, the double-decker that can carry up to 800 passengers if it is configured with only the cheap seats. There will be just 82 passengers in the private version.
The New First Class by Singapore Airlines
Singapore’s first class has been a darling of the Asian routes with superlative service and cuisine. What may have been lacking in amenities has surely been addressed by their recent announcement. Starting in December, Singapore will roll out an enhanced first cabin with the largest seats in the sky, a whopping 35 inches across. The seat lays fully flat to create a massive bed with a down-filled mattress, duvet, and fluffy pillows. For entertainment, a mere 23 inch LCD screen will keep you happy with on-demand movies and games.
Virgin Galactic
Richard Branson has unveiled images of his Virgin Galactic civilian spaceship. The specially-outfitted Space Ship Two vehicle is designed to seat six passengers and two pilots. The craft will be hauled into launch position by a massive carrier craft called the White Knight Two. At a press conference, Branson said that his vision is to successfully build the world’s first environmentally benign space launch system and prove once and for all the commercial viability of a safe space launch system that he believes will eventually be capable of taking payload and science into space as well as people. Pioneers will have to pay $200,000 for the maiden voyage, which is planned for early 2009.
Worldwide Aeros Corporation
Worldwide Aeros Corp, the Aeroscraft manufacturer and world’s leader in FAA-certified lighter-than-air vehicles, announced today it has entered into an agreement with hospitality design firm Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) for the interior design of a new generation of airborne cruise ships.
To design the interiors of those airships, we’ve chosen the world’s leading design consultant for the hospitality and leisure industries, namely WATG.
