Since showcasing at the Avalon Airshow, the Pegasus flying car has received an certificate of airworthiness (CofA) from CASA.
In April this year, Pegasus' law enforcement flying car - exhibited at Avalon - received a CofA as an experimental aircraft. The Melbourne-based company is now proceeding with the commercialisation of this model in Australia, with a view to the global market and an eye on an FAA AofC.
The Pegasus E ‘flying car’ is a home-grown invention that can be driven like a car and flown like a helicopter, giving it greater scope – namely, to take to the air – during high-speed vehicle pursuits, which police forces are increasingly prohibiting due to safety concerns. The dual-mode Pegasus E is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain generating 120kW, weighuing just 265kg dry. The car-copter’s top speed on the road is electronically limited to 120km/h, which increases to 160km/h in the air.
Pegasus E features a 60-litre fuel tank that specifically requires 95-octane premium petrol. It showcases a hybrid powertrain capable of travelling 75 kilometers at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour solely on battery power. Pegasus claims a maximum airborne range of 420 kilometers. When in flight, it can operate for approximately three hours, consuming 20 litres of fuel per hour.
With an estimated maximum flying altitude of around 1800 meters or 5900 feet, Pegasus can carry a payload of up to 101 kilograms. What sets Pegasus apart from its counterparts is its design. Unlike other vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles currently being developed by various car-makers and tech companies, Pegasus E is being marketed as the "world's only true VTOL-capable drivable flying car that can be conveniently parked in any general car park or garage." This unique capability is made possible by its automatic folding rotor blades.
Also in production is a four-seat air taxi prototype, with a target completion of the end of 2023. With a launch projected for early 2024, Pegasus' plans coincide with the milestones of CASA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Strategic Regulatory Roadmap. Pegasus said in a statement that it is paying particularly close attention to the near-term focus on the establishment of aircraft safety and operational standards “that support the growth of air taxi networks as a new mode of transportation”.
The team at Pegasus has been focussing on test flying (and driving) with a focus on parking, night driving and refuelling the police model at a suburban petrol station. Take a look at the video for more of the Pegasus flying car.