Davis, CA, Nov. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paul Moller, President of Moller International, Inc. (MI) (OTC-QB: MLER), the developer of the Skycar®, a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable, high-speed light aircraft announced today that its plans for a demonstration flight of the Skycar are going forward and that it is giving its supporter a way to get in on the event.
"Today, we have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to do just that," said Dr. Moller. "We are announcing that we are opening up the testing of the M400 Skycar to the public, and to join us and participate in the historic Official First Flight," he said.
Dr. Moller stated that with the recent increased horsepower breakthroughs that the company has made to the Skycar's engines, any funds raised during the crowdfunding campaign would specifically be used to complete the installation of the new, higher-power engines and fly the first un-tethered Skycar flight with a pilot on-board.
"We're excited that we've had three companies agree to match a portion of funds raised - dollar-for-dollar, and they've pledged almost $1 million toward this milestone event. With the public's help, we know we can raise the remaining funds that we need to undertake their first official flight." Moller goes on to say. "In exchange for help from our Indiegogo donors, we are offering a number of limited-edition, commemorative and unique Skycar Flight Test Team gear. For the top donors, we are offering a flight aboard the Skycar itself, once we're cleared to do so by the FAA," he stated.
The M400 Skycar is classed as a "Powered-Lift" category aircraft, and is the only civilian aircraft to carry that designation. Moller plans to carry out the Official First Flight in front of the donors and legions of the Skycar's fans, enthusiasts and followers in June of 2014 at a lakeside water park north of Sacramento, California. The Skycar®, explained Moller, is unique amongst a growing number of "flying cars" that are being developed, in that it is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, and yet remains small enough to use on the road and stored at home. "Ultimately we see Skycar owners backing out of their garage and driving a short distance to pick up their Starbucks® coffee and then to a designated area, where at the push a button, they take off and fly to work 100 miles away," he said.
Moller went on: "Our campaign not only allows the pilots flying on-board to make history -but there is an extra added benefit," he said. "There are only a hand-full of pilots in the world with flight time in powered-lift aircraft of any type, and currently, there are none with any time in powered-lift aircraft of this type. We are offering not only the chance to 'log' flight time in the Skycar, but also the chance to make aviation history by being part of the team that tested an air vehicle that is bound for the National Air and Space Museum."
Moller stated that the proceeds from the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign would be used to prepare the Skycar for its Official First Flight - off of a tether and to a higher altitude - in contrast to previous tests that were tethered and unpiloted. He also stated that the funds would be used to fly the Official First Flight in front of the public, and any additional funds that might be raised would be used to continue to fly and test the Skycar. The Company wants to be able to fly the Skycar at different events throughout the United States and the world, where the people that donated to the campaign can have the opportunity to see the historic air vehicle that they helped to fly.
"We've seen crowdfunding being used for a variety of unique reasons, including the rebuilding of historic aircraft destined for museums, but this is the first time that the public will be able to participate in the test and historic first flight of a prototype aircraft," Moller said. "We're making history together - our supporters, our sponsors and us...and even more importantly, together we're also helping to advance the state of transportation by giant leaps."
For more information on the Official First Flight of the Moller M400X Skycar, please go to:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/actually-fly-the-m400x-skycar-into-history
About Moller International(the "Company")
Moller International was created in 1983 when it was determined that a practical VTOL aircraft (a "volantor") was possible due to the development of a unique rotary engine by Dr. Felix Wankel.
In 1985 the Company acquired the entire rotary engine assets of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) who had produced a rotary engine to power their snowmobiles and outboards. In 1989 the Company flew its rotary engine-powered Neuera volantor before members of the press. The Company then began the development of a high-speed volantor, which it called the Skycar®. A four-passenger Skycar® volantor was flown in 2001 before the Company's stockholders.
The Company also developed a number of unmanned aircraft utilizing its rotary engine and flight control system (FCS). These aircraft (called Aerobots®) were developed under contracts with NASA, NOSC, DARPA, NRL, Harry Diamond Labs, Hughes Aircraft Company, California Department of Transportation and the US Army, Navy and Air Force.
Products in development include the Skycar® 400, Neuera and newly designed one- and two-passenger models of the Skycar® Light Sport ("LS") series.
Skycar®, Aerobot®, and Rotapower® are trademarks of Moller International in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historic information contained in this release, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause a company's actual results in the future to differ materially from forecasted results. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the company's ability to attract qualified management, raise sufficient capital to execute its business plan, and effectively compete against similar companies.