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TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT STAGES

Stage 1 (2002-2005): Pilot required

Before being commercially available, the Skycar needs to be extensively flight tested. A flight test program will be designed specifically for the Skycar and modified as experience is gained.  Two or three years of flight test is anticipated.

The Skycar may be certified in 2003 in the US as a "powered lift" vehicle, to be operated under similar rules as other general aviation - sales begin to the general light aircraft market.

Moller International forms a strategic alliance with a large aerospace company for development and manufacturing.

Full-scale effort is launched to develop or adapt electronic flight rules, electronic piloting, air traffic control, radars, noise abatement, and manufacturing processes.

Stage 2 (2005+): Pilot optional

FAA certification is obtained for electronic flight rules aiding the pilot - introduction of the "highways in the Sky" concept

Flight rules during this stage would be simple and low risk - they would include: land only at authorized locations, extend landing gear when near ground, not run out of fuel, use position information from other Skycars, stay away from other aircraft and airports, not take off if automatic checkoff found some essential equipment not operational.

The Skycar's first major market - as an air limousine - will be where air traffic regulations can be easily adapted, liability concerns are not unreasonable, transportation is currently inadequate, and considerable development capital is available - definitely outside of the US, probably in Asia.

Factory is built with future capacity to produce 10,000 Skycars/yr.

Stage 3 (2008+): Electronic piloting

Avionics and ground support electronics for full electronic piloting are installed in new Skycars - dispatch/control stations and old Skycars are retrofitted.

A program is set up to help passengers with the transition to electronic control - as soon as people see how easy and safe electronically controlled flight is, only brief instruction will be needed.

The Skycar moves into commercial fleet operations in the US and Europe to meet high demand as these countries revise their aircraft regulations, to permit the extremely safe electronic piloting.

As the public accepts the electronically piloted vehicle, demand should increase and the air taxi service can be quickly expanded - eventually, the new air taxi service will largely supersede the old human-piloted air limousine service, and much short-hop commercial aircraft service. 

In this stage, manufacturing will begin to be shared with other companies, partly to fend off competition - Moller will need to initiate additional strategic partnerships and offset arrangements.

Stage 4 (Beyond 2010): Widespread use

Private ownership will increase, but most people will still use the Skycar on a per-trip basis.

Specialized Skycar models will be developed for the military, stunt flying, handicapped, ambulance, landing on water, package delivery, etc.

Skycar market matures, with expansion into major transportation sectors of many countries including large incursions into the automobile market.

Additional factories built for production in excess of 100,000/yr.

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