At the Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget Airport on 17-23 June 2019, an MOU was signed that will see GKN Fokker support Pal-V in the development of flying cars. GKN Fokker will be involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing and certification processes. The news is a milestone in the development of the Pal-V Liberty commercial flying car.
“GKN Fokker’s assistance strengthens our business with the capabilities and technologies of a world leader in the aviation industry,” said Robert Dingemanse, CEO of Pal-V. “It’s fantastic that GKN Fokker will assist us in the finalisation of the Pal-V Liberty: the production and final certification.”
“Pal-V is an exciting company in the growing personal flying mobility market,” said Adriaan Leyte, vice president of new business development at GKN Fokker. “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.”
Pal-V says the Pal-V Liberty fully complies with existing rules and regulations. It is based on the gyroplane and combines flying and driving in one vehicle. As well as private use, there are applications for policing, border control, the military, coastguard service and first response. Pal-V and GKN Fokker will explore the possibilities of building special versions at a GKN Fokker site; this will offer the required security that Pal-V does not have at its standard production facility. “This is important as the interest from professional customers is growing rapidly,” said Dingemanse.
Pal-V is currently in the final stage of certifying the Pal-V Liberty – compliance demonstration. This is anticipated to take until the beginning of 2021, when the first Pal-V Liberties should be delivered.
