The M400 Design

The production configuration of the M400 Skycar has gone through a few permutations as many hours of wind tunnel testing showed ways to improve the aircraft's performance. One of the long-term goals was to find a way to operate the Skycar in hover in the same configuration as when operating on the ground. This would allow it to land and hover in a much smaller area, for example on the median strip of a highway as might be done during a roadside emergency medical mission.

The present M400X came close to achieving this but because the wing/tail was so far back the lift/drag ratio was only 7.5 and the dead-stick gliding speed was high, thus it made an un-powered landing very difficult.

They have found a way to move the wing forward and add sweep so that together with tail extensions on the wing, they’ve achieved a lift/drag ratio of 12.5. In addition to being able to hover with the wings folded, the under carriage wheels are farther apart for increased ground stability. This new configuration has less airflow interference between front and rear nacelles, better visibility from the cockpit for improved ground and air operations, and dead-stick gliding speed that is substantially lower.

Passengers: 4

Top speed @ 13,200 ft: 375 mph

Cruise speed @ 20,000 ft: 275 mph

Maximum rate of climb: 6,000 fpm

Maximum range: 750 miles

Payload excluding fuel: 750 lbs

Operational ceiling: 36,000 ft

Gross weight: 2,400 lbs

Engine power (2 min. rating): 1,200 hp

Fuel consumption: approx. 20 mpg

Fuel: Ethanol

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