‘Skycar’ Begins Journey to Timbuktu

January 19, 2009 — A combination car/powered parachute took off from London January 14 on a 42-day, nearly 4,000-mile trip traveling by ground and by air across Europe and Africa. The Parajet Skycar Expedition is meant to show the world the advantages and benefits of traveling by a flying car. It is also meant to get some press exposure while raising money for Alive and Kicking, a charity that makes and distributes quality footballs in Africa using African materials and skills. The brainchild of Giles Cardozo, who invented the Para-motor aircraft that made a world altitude flight over Mount Everest in 2007, the SkyCar is being piloted by adventurer Neil Laughton, who steers using cables that alter the shape of the parachute. Along with its convoy of support vehicles carrying water and biofuel supplies for crossing the Sahara Desert’s Empty Quarter, the Skycar is currently making its way through France, with its sights on the crossing of the Pyrenees and the Gibraltar Straits, its Web site shows. The expedition team comprises of experts from all walks of life; including a camera crew that is making a televised documentary about the car and its inaugural voyage to Timbuktu. Laughton, 45, told The Times Online that the car was “not everyone’s cup of tea” but believes it will appeal to people who are “a little bit adventurous”. He also said his family is proud of what he is doing. “They think I am very sane but very ambitious.” Laughton said he is looking forward to flying in to remote villages in West Africa. “I don’t think they will be able to believe that someone in a flying car has just visited them,” he said. However, there are potential obstacles besides mountains and deserts on the road to Timbuktu, The Times Online reported. “We have been following the Foreign Office advice on the political situation in the area north-west of Timbuktu,” Laughton said. “There is a significant kidnap threat in that area so we have to be careful and will be choosing our route carefully and not publicizing it too widely.” The Skycar at a glance		Neil Laughton with his Parajet Skycar in London. Photo: Reuters Neil Laughton heads off in his Skycar. Photo: Ben Gurr / The Times A map of the route. Graphic: Skycar
It resembles a dune buggy, and is powered by a 140 hp Yamaha R-1 1000cc motorcycle engine. It has a parachute-like flexible wing and a large fan-like propeller at the rear of the car. In “fly mode” the vehicle has a take-off speed of about 37 mph and a top speed of about 68 mph. It can cruise at 2,000-3,000 feet and has a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet. It will have a range of 186 miles or 300 km. In “road mode” the Parajet Skycar has four-wheel suspension, rear-wheel drive, a top speed of more than 100 mph and a range of about 250 miles. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

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