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Flying Car Sighting -

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by asjoseph, Mar 20, 2009.

  1. asjoseph

    asjoseph Samuel, '04 Ruthiemobile

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    ... 2001 was supposed to be a space odyssey. Gold was supposed to be utterly worthless. We were promised a stunning blond with secret ancient magical power who visually materializes, once uncorked from the Gennie bottle in which she lives, to cater to our every whim and desire, who refers to us affectionately, as -- "master." We were promised robotic vacuum cleaners that automatically cook, clean and run our errands for us. And, we were all supposed to be hovering around, in our George Jetson cars, reaching out to new civilizations; boldly going where no man's gone before!

    Well? Here we are. 2009. Perhaps our expectations were just a tad bit high:

    Terrafugia's flying car makes maiden voyage | Cutting Edge - CNET News

    Looks as though slightest, eencie-weencie bit of rain would more than suffice to splash that itty-bitty car, right down out of the sky!


    Regards,
    ~ S a mu e l



    | '88 Supercharged MR2 |
    | '04 Prius | '07 Outback |
     
    #1 asjoseph, Mar 20, 2009
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    I have been saying for years now, in fact it's in several of my post reply's,

    "Where is the flying car I was promised as a child?"

    It's about Damn time!!!

    It actually looks quite interesting!

    I would love to "TestFly" one
     
    #2 KK6PD, Mar 20, 2009
  3. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    Nice idea, but you still need a pilot's license to fly it and a runway to take-off and land. The FAA will not allow you to take-off and land from a public roadway.

    I must admit that I'm rather curious about its' flying characteristics, especially pitch stability in turbulence.

    Keith

    Keith
     
    #3 Tech_Guy, Mar 21, 2009
  4. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    How about load rating? The way those wings fold makes me wonder.
     
    #4 EZW1, Mar 21, 2009
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    seen this a few times already. for $189,000... i think i will pass. can get a small plane for $30,000 park it at the airport and take my Pri home
     
    #5 DaveinOlyWA, Mar 21, 2009
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The write up said it falls into the light sport category, which makes the licenses easy to get. You need a driver's license for the road part too.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Mar 21, 2009
  7. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I'm curious if the vehicle got an emissions waiver. Despite the fact that the Rotax 912 burns Mogas (probably premium), there's probably no cats, etc. on there.

    In the initial flight video, there was considerable control deflection keeping it airborne, which suggests it still needs some work.

    The design intent is airplane first, but with the ability to drive the car to/from the airport to your final destination. I didn't catch the actual wingspan, but on most public roads out here, I wouldn't chance anything narrower than 5 lanes (2 each way + center turn), and would need to avoid street lights. I also imagine that the rotate speed for takeoff is >= than your average urban speed limit.

    Not to say I wouldn't want to attempt to fly one, just not something I could see myself owning.
     
    #7 HTMLSpinnr, Mar 21, 2009
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Usually these things drive like an airplane and fly like a car.

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Mar 21, 2009
  9. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    god help us if this thing ever gets into production. I'd hate to be flying my airplane and come across somebody flying one of these cars while using their cell phone or texting...

    Keith
     
    #9 Tech_Guy, Mar 22, 2009
  10. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Who says Pilots don't use their cell (w/ headset adapters) or text while flying? Not legally mind you, but it does happen.
     
    #10 HTMLSpinnr, Mar 22, 2009
  11. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Yep, I can see it now, your behind a particularly sloooow craft, you hit that magic button in the steering wheel ....FOX-1, FOX-1, well that road hazard is now out of da way!!!
     
    #11 KK6PD, Mar 22, 2009
  12. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    I agree with you that there are pilots that do indeed text / talk (cell phone) while flying. However, as you are well aware, one of the most difficult requirements of becoming a proficient pilot is training yourself to prioritize your activities in the following order: 1) Fly the Airplane, 2) Navigate, and finally 3) Communicate. In learning to drive an automobile, prioritization of activities is not taught. Consequently the default priority seems to be: 1) Make-up, 2) Talk/Text, and finally 3) Drive.

    Keith

    P.S. If these flying cars were sold at a "reasonable price", what do you think the insurance rates would be like ???? I could see a lot of people driving/flying VFR stumbling into IMC.
     
    #12 Tech_Guy, Mar 22, 2009
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Most flying requires a lot less concentration than driving. While driving you are always a few feet away from hitting something. Flying, on the other hand, is usually done with large amounts of separation. If you aren't in a pattern, you can usually scan for traffic, and then take a good look at a chart or play with the avionics. Boating is like this too. It's all a function of traffic density and separation from obstacles.

    Tom
     
    #13 qbee42, Mar 22, 2009
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