April 8, 2008 A spectacular new type of aircraft is one step closer to take-off with the announcement that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted the type certification application for the Aeroscraft model Aeros ML866.
Described as a new paradigm in air transport, the 64 meter (210 ft) long, 36 meter (118 ft) wide ML866 is a a buoyancy assisted air vehicle with a rigid structure that generates lift through a combination of aerodynamics, thrust vectoring and gas buoyancy. Along with a range of more than 3000 miles and a top speed of 138mph, it boasts some unique properties for a craft of its size including the ability to hover, take-off and land vertically, complete autonomy from airports, not to mention incredible aerial views.
The mammoth 5000ft square cabin area also opens up a range of possible applications for the aircraft, from cargo transport and mining to use as a luxurious private sky yacht or a fully functional conference center.
“The Aeroscraft will be type certified as a new type of aircraft. This is a monumental step forward in the aerospace industry. It is a new dimension of flight – an aircraft that utilizes adjustable buoyant and dynamic lift, creating unique capabilitiesbeyond what is available from any other air platform today,” said Aeros president and CEO Igor Pasternak. “This is a significant milestone in an overall Aeroscraft development program. I am absolutely confident in the project’s successful completion.”
Read our previous coverage of the Aeroscraft ML866 here and here or visit the Aeroscraft site for further information.
