Decades ago, “they” promised us that flying cars would be the way everyone gets to from point A to point B. There are lots of companies out there who are trying but they are not quite “flying cars” yet. The Parajet SkyRunner is another example of such vehicles that can drive and fly but still not the way I’d imagine a flying car.
The SkyRunner by Parajet is essentially a dune buggy which can convert to a paraglider and take to the skies. As a ground vehicle, it’s intended to be used as an off-road vehicle and it does a pretty good job at it. On the ground, the SkyRunner is capable of going up to a top speed of 115mph while the 0-60 dash can be completed in only 4.3 seconds. Not only is it pretty fast, the SkyRunner sips gas through a tiny straw with fuel economy of 56.5mpg on the ground. Not bad at all. The vehicle is also very light weighing in at only 926 pounds and made up of materials such as carbon fibre composite and a light-frame chassis.
Parajet SkyRunner in Action
And when in the air, the Parajet SkyRunner is capable of reaching speeds up to 55mph and has a range of 200 miles. I was expecting a little more range but it’s not so bad. The vehicle has a take off speed of 37mph while its cruising speed is 35mph. Basically, don’t be in a rush to get anywhere and just enjoy the scenery from above. Power for the SkyRunner comes from a 1.0-liter direct injection Ecoboost engine producing 123 horsepower and 147.5 lb-ft of torque. The maximum altitude for the SkyRunner is 15,000 feet but is restricted to 10,000 feet.
The SkyRunner uses state of the art reflex paraglider wing technology for the craft renowned for their extreme pitch and roll stability. The SkyRunner pilot will feel confidence while retaining dynamic and responsive control of the aircraft. And once in the air, the wing absorbs turbulence while providing a smooth and safe flight. Should the engine or wing fail during flight, the SkyRunner is able to float softly to the ground on its paragrlider, or a ballistic reserve chute can be deployed as well.
If something like the Parajet SkyRunner interests you, prepare to come up with $120,000.
