Cars that fly...
The concept of a flying car isn't new. Every wannabe inventor dreams of building one. Popular Mechanics magazine has been writing stories about them dating back to the 1950's but those were full sized vehicles with gasoline engines and huge wings to give them sufficient lift.In the last 10 years, I've seen the 'winged' versions disappear and the multi propeller electric 'drone style' high lift vehicles show up on technical and aviation news.
A Chinese company had a 2-seater with 4 sets of dual counter-rotating propellers. The problem was the propellers were at knee level without any protective shroud. that idea 'didn't get off the ground' as it failed in safety.
Why is this talking so long?
A few things I can think of.
Cost.
All the wing style vehicles need a runway.
The idea of being stuck in traffic and unfolding the wing to take off won't happen as aircraft need to have a flight plan, start and land st an airport to be on their radar.
FAA certification of the aircraft and one important detail is YOU MUST BE A LICENSED PILOT.
This year is a new flavor... it's a car with a framework like a wall fan and lots of rotors that give it lift. $300,000 for pre-orders. The first of it's kind to have the go ahead of the FAA. Delivery of this flying car is estimated to be a few years away.
Company site:
I like this video showing DOZENS of these cars flying in unison like they are on their way to work!
Comments (4)
Square miles of congestion will become cubic miles. Or maybe a solution will appear as more and more delivery-drones swarm the streets.
Was a smallish bubble version of a car (obviously electric)with the rotors tucked neatly away on top of the roof.
While driving one can engage 'fly mode', the rotor arms all extend and you take off while the base of the vehicle is programmed to go to a pre determined electric fueling station.
Just a 2 seater but I didn't see any humans inside the 'bubble' when it took off from the base.
Fantastic to watch though.
Rotors in harms way.
I can see them dropping out of the sky during rush hour now.