Robert Barnhoorn – Director of Spark design & innovation – talked about how the impossible was made possible: how the PAL-V flying car came to be. For a hundred years, designers and engineers have been dreaming of the ‘flying car’. Countless prototypes have been developed, including cars with wing attachments. Until now without technical or commercial success. Spark and PAL-V Europe NV, however, are on the brink of realising this dream with the PAL-V: an innovative new vehicle that drives like a car and flies like a gyrocopter.
Creating a flying car is far from easy (get a quick overview of the challenge). But for it to have any chance of being commercially successful Robert and the team needed to also make it safe, simple to control, comfortable, stylish and pass enough tests to be allowed to be flown with a recreational pilot license. Come and enjoy the story of this 12 year journey and see your childhood dream come to life.