Back to the articleit's not a flying car #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 14:17 GMT
it's just a motoring aeroplane
Transition flying car into 'beta test': Deliveries from 2011
Blerg... #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 13:45 GMT
I realize that certain concessions were undoubtedly made to aerodynamics but I'm sorry, that thing is just plain ugly.
A first #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 14:37 GMT
It was worth the article just to see a Cessna 172 being used as a chase plane - something I never thought I'd see...
Have you seen the price of fuel? #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 14:37 GMT
OK, it's probably no thirstier than a US style SUV, but the world past peak oil production last year, and after slumping in the credit crunch, the price has once more doubled in the last six months to $68/barrel.
By the time this thing is ready for production, the world will have stopped building anything thirstier than Polo bluemotion.
www.theoildrum.com
@Perpetual Cyclist #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 15:41 GMT
Peak oil.. ODFO.
Next you will start talking about its carbon footprint.
@Robert Moore #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
Thank you. Well said. I'm just waiting to hear the kids say: Dad, can I borrow the car?
Erm, yeah....your mother's!
Speaking of fuel... #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
Looks like it uses plain car gas, which is a metric assload cheaper than avgas. That right there is a nice plus.
Nice #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
I can totally see people from more remote regions all over this. Mericans, Australians...
Those wings #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
Don't they create a huge blind spot when driving?
It would be nice #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
to know some of its stats, like MPG on the road vs. flying.
Just sayin'.
Not too pretty but sounding quite effective #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:36 GMT
30sec to go from plane to car (and back again?). All parts retained on vehicle at all times.
I'm no pilot but I thought sports pilots are in it for the actual flight. Being able to drive to their hotel when they get where they are going (and a flight which is more comfortable and possibly safer than a microlight) are bonus features.
@perpetual cyclist #
Posted Thursday 4th June 2009 23:40 GMT
Peak oil? Next thing you'll be talking about linux on the desktop. I'm with Robert Moore - ODFO!
Well then. #
Posted Friday 5th June 2009 11:48 GMT
Sports pilots license eh; guess I will have to get the right eye fixed.
What would you go for; bionic, with a GPS overlay; natural, but perhaps enhanced IR (I see in the dark quite well, thank you.); targeting, ah, does this thing have weapons?
Silliness aside, this seems a nice vehicle and solves a lot of problems as to hanger fees and end point transportation.
Sadly, I think the main problem is; when will we see the MS flight simulator patch for this. . .
Can you say skycar #
Posted Friday 5th June 2009 12:52 GMT
I wonder if this is going to be a moller/duke nukem arrangement.
Look we have a prototype... look 10 years later we still have a prototype.
Why no VTOL?
Fender bender? #
Posted Friday 5th June 2009 13:34 GMT
The worry for me would be driving it as a car, knowing that even the smallest fender bender could compromise the airframe or the lifting surfaces. Then you would have a choice - maybe DRIVE back the 400 miles over rough terrain in the Outback that you just flew over, or hope that the damage wasn't too severe and that your loved ones in the cockpit would be safe in the air.
There are viable reasons for leaving fragile airplanes on tie-down points and in hangers, and getting into a real auto to do your driving...unless they can show this thing has some real resiliancy. And you do have to wonder if it would ever be really safe in a roadway accident at even 50 miles per hour - major auto companies have spent decades making autos safe in crashes, and they don't have to worry about weight as much.
Parajet Skycar? #
Posted Friday 5th June 2009 16:18 GMT
Come on, the Skycar is waaaaaaay ahead, more practical and doesn't have dirty great big folded wings blocking the vital rear-quarter view. And it has added Mad Max style points over this fugly mess! As usual, the Septics are late to the party and just trying to drown out the competition with a marketing splurge.
http://www.skycarexpedition.com/about_skycar.php
Sorry bit late #
Posted Wednesday 10th June 2009 09:19 GMT
Not been able to read El Reg for a number of days and catching up on articles, would just like to say on this one though, I'm with Robert and David... ODFO!!
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