Dezső Molnár
About him
Aviation, invention, fabrication, racing, exploration, music and cycling.
Create a vehicle that procures energy from the elements it travels through, just like sailboats have done for centuries. To achieve this in the air and on the ground, solar rays, wind, hills, and streams can provide a boost.
The Streetwing is designed for expeditions and racing. Pollution-free options; navigating today’s technology and rules. Fast climbs to altitude, and a long, silent glide to land. Fast lane driving; elegant and immersive.
For one or two people, Streetwing can be configured with almost any power system to provide best range performance in the air and on the road.
The Molnár GT is the first Gyrocycle; flying and driving since 2005. Photos of the Molnár GT are on display at The Smithsonian Air & Space Museum’s “We All Fly” exhibit, adjacent to the Wright Flyer.
Vehicles are safest when inherently stable, and can fly or coast when the power fails. Operating within the laws of physics and city hall eases development.
On the road, the GT is a motorcycle for speed, agility, and lane sharing. Airframes follow power plants. Hundreds of millions of existing motorcycle engines could fly if fitted into a Gyrocycle.
For the objective to fly fast into congested areas and land in a short distance, the Gyrocycle is a gyroplane. Rotary wings - inspired by maple seeds and refined by 100 years of flying provide lift, and the motorcycle engine-powered propeller provides thrust.
This patent provides a detailed description. The fuselage runs thru the center of the mid-mounted propeller to enhance engine cooling, pitch stability, safe separation of the propeller and rotor blades, and provide a narrow profile on the road. All components are carried on long travels; “GT” for Gran Tourismo. The propeller is folded inward, and the compact rotor blades carried on the sides are unaffected by winds.
The Molnár GT incorporates light-weight design and materials. Adopting light, modular, repairable vehicles is key to reducing the impacts of travel on the world.
Years in Development
Max Ground Speed
Max Air Speed
Dezső is an inventor, aviator, fabricator, and musician He created the Gyrocycle, was crew chief for Craig Breedlove's "Spirit of America" land speed racing team, built and tested Rocket Racing League airplanes, was a judge for the original X-Prize, and at Truax Engineering, helped build the X3 - the first private rocket intended for manned flight.
A licensed airplane and gyroplane pilot, flight engineer, and mechanic, Dezső graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and flew C-141B transport jets in the US Air Force.
Dezső developed hardware interfaces for Mixman music software, and sold them to Atari and Mattel. He recorded music with “Casino Mansion” and others, and performed with Survival Research Labs.
Since appearing on their Discovery show “Big Brain Theory”, Dezső has been an inventor at WET Design in Los Angeles.
Currently Dezső is focused on launching MOLNÁR · CALFEE Motorcycles, Flying Car Racing, and completing the “Streetwing” flying car for an expedition from Alaska to Argentina on the Pan-American Highway.
About him
Aviation, invention, fabrication, racing, exploration, music and cycling.
Inspiration to completion
The Molnár G2 is a high-performance gyrocopter that represents Dezso Molnár’s vision for a flying car future. The 2014 G2 features a carbon-fiber frame paired with a Suzuki SV650 motorcycle engine and carbon-steel propeller. Molnár’s designs are light-weight and inspired by nature. The vehicle achieves flight without a direct-drive spinning rotor while reaching ground speeds of up to 200 mph.
Besides being uniquely well-adjusted vehicle for both terrestrial and airborne travel, the G2 has a variety of features common to most gyrocopters. The gyrocopter has a superior safety profile due to an auto-rotating vertical-axis rotor, with a design inspired by the aerodynamic sycamore seed. The rear-mounted horizontal-axis propeller pushes air past the propeller to generate lift and enable flight. For terrestrial travel, the rear propeller disengages with the rotor and engages with the transmission, allowing the vehicle to achieve a rapid and seamless transition between flight and air travel modes.
The G2 incorporates a versatile gyro design with light-weight materials and a vision to create a cost-effective flying car design for the near future. To accelerate development, Molnar has proposed creating a flying car racing circuit that is sure to delight fans with a combination of speed and aero-acrobatics.
Built for Speed
Previous attempts to build a flying car have been "commuter vehicles for everybody". This approach has not yielded a winning technology.
We're proposing a new approach; the G2 is a call-to-arms, an invocation to join a new kind of motorsport to drive the development of flying cars.
The G2 uses a stock Suzuki GSX-R 600 motorcycle engine to meld motorcycle with flying machine. By building around a motorcycle concept, the G2 stays lightweight and avoids heavy requirements imposed on the building of automobiles.
Road Trials
Safety is paramount for the viability of a flying car racing league. That's why the G2 has been subjected to extensive land and road tests.
Most testing is conducted in the dry, flat conditions of the deserts around the Los Angeles area, including the Mojave Desert and El Mirage salt flats.
1st Generation Gyro
Building awareness
Stirring public passion support for the development of flying cars is central to any realistic plan for commercializing this form of transport. Like any ambitious new technology, practical flying cars are years away from practical application.
But that doesn't mean there isn't work that can be done now.
The eye-catching G2 and GT have both been widely displayed at fairs, conventions and private demonstrations to help bring awareness to what's possible. For more information on Press or Media opportunities with the Molnár G2 or GT, contact me below.
Safety First
The first generation Molnár GT was completed in 2006 and was flown numerous occasions. The G2 requires some additional investment to develop the vertical-axis rotor. The current plan is to begin flight tests with the G2 in early 2015
Demos and Special Events
Contact us below to learn about demonstrations or having the G2 displayed at your event. Eye-catching and exciting, the G2 draws crowds and inspires.
Every ambitious project needs a network of support and sponsorship.
To support our objectives and join the team, please reach out.
Inventor and Fabricator
Craig is the designer of carbon-fiber and bamboo-frame bicycles at Calfee Design.
Composite Engineer
Leon has built 60+ unique aircraft at Scaled Composites and the Spirit of America land speed car.
Experimental Test Pilot
Elliot races airplanes he builds and test flies a myriad of new aircraft with Wasabi Aero.
Advanced Solid Works Designer
Jesus models the Streetwing designs, and is a professor at Art Center College of Design.
Electronics Technician
Ernesto developed electronics systems on xWing, Streetwing, T2, and daily at Industrial Light & Magic.
“The best ride I have ever had“
Ashlee Vance, author of "Elon Musk" and host of Bloomberg's "Hello World"
“Dezső is the most talented engineer I know. Not only does he think it up, he builds it.“
Nolan Bushnell, Atari Founder and author of "Finding the Next Steve Jobs"
“Gyrocycles are the future of exploration.“
Mike Horn, Explorer and Adventurer
“That conversation about the GT more than anything inspired this book“
Steven Kotler, author of "Tomorrowland" and "Rise of Superman"
“The Streetwing is the Holy Grail“
Richard Hatfield, CEO, Lighting Motorcycles
“You solved the rotation problem. That's clever, that's very clever.“
Dick Rutan, Voyager pilot and Collier Trophy recipient