Austrian business jet charter airline Tyrolean Jet Services announced that it has pre-ordered the Liberty, a flying car manufactured by Dutch start-up, PAL-V.
PAL-V announced the deal on LinkedIn, stating that it was signed during the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE 2022).
According to the company, Tyrolean will use the car for “last-mile” service, presumably transporting its customers between airports and their destination.
“With multiple brands showing the latest innovations for the emerging market, we represent the FlyDrive segment of this new market. Instead of going from platform to platform or airport to airport, we offer the opportunity to go from door to door with your aircraft. This FlyDrive segment will mark the start of the Advanced Air Mobility market,” the post quotes Robert Dingemanse, CEO and founder of PAL-V, as saying.
The Liberty is a combination of a three-wheeled car and an autogyro. Equipped with dual engine and a propeller, it uses autorotation to generate lift during flight.
The Liberty prototype’s first flight took place in 2012. It was certified for road use in early 2022, and the manufacturer expects to receive certification for flight use in 2024.
“The vehicle is currently running an extensive compliance demonstration test program to close the final stage of EASA certification,” the LinkedIn post states.
Tyrolean Jet services is based at Insbruck Airport (INN) and operates two Cessna Citation VII as well as one Embraer Phenom 300E business jet.