M200G Volantor

M200G Volantor
Moller M200X
Role	Flying car (aircraft)
Manufacturer	Moller International
Designer	Paul Moller
Status	Under development
Unit cost	USD$100,000 (estimated)
Variants	Moller M400 Skycar

The M200G Volantor is a prototype of a flying saucer-style hovercraft, designed by aeronautics engineer Paul Moller. The vehicle is envisioned as a precursor to the Moller M400 Skycar. The M200G Volantor uses a system of eight computer-controlled fans to hover up to 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. Volantor is a term coined by Moller meaning "a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft."

The M200G Neuera is a circular craft with seats in the middle for two passengers and a control panel. The vehicle is 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall and 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter. Eight Wankel rotary engines power eight enclosed fans. The fans allow for vertical take-off and landing and, once the vehicle is aloft, rely upon the ground effect to create a cushion of air that the vehicle sits upon while flying. The eight separate engines exist for redundancy, allowing the craft to continue flying if one engine goes out. If two engines go out, the craft will make a "survivable hard landing". The engines can be powered with gasoline, diesel or ethanol fuels.

The computer system monitors stability and the vehicle has only two controls, one for speed and direction and the other for altitude. The computer system also prevents the machine from flying higher than 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. Per Federal Aviation Administration regulations, any vehicle which flies above 10  feet is regulated as an aircraft. The M200G Neuera is expected to be capable of travel over any terrain at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

Moller intends to design smaller aircraft to conform with the FAA Light-sport aircraft category, among them a 200LS and 100LS.

Paul Moller, the vehicle's inventor, has been working to bring a flying vehicle to the mass market for four decades without success.

News reports have been skeptical that the M200G vehicle will come to market, citing a case by the Securities and Exchange Commission which noted that in 1997 promotional materials for the Skycar had predicted 10,000 units sold by 2002.