Today's 'flying car' prototype brought to you by: Terrafugia
If you thought a soccer mom (or
dad-- let’s be PC, here) barrelling down the street in a Ford Excursion or Cadillac Escalade while
chatting on a cell phone was nightmarish, what if it were done in a flying SUV?
At the moment,
this vision is still confined to the dream world, but Terrafugia is
planning to bring an example of such a vehicle to the EAA AirVenture Conference in Wisconsin this July.
The
flying SUV, dubbed the ‘Transition Personal Air Vehicle' (PAV) is designed for 100- to 500-mile jumps using its
retractable wings. (Check out the website for a Quicktime demonstration.) The Transition PAV will be powered by premium unleaded
fuel, and fly at up to 12,000 feet.
Terrafugia plans to have a fully operational prototype ready by
2008, and production vehicles by 2010. The company hopes that the two-manned vehicle will be classified so only a light
sport aircraft license is needed to drive (fly?) it.
Now the Skycar won't be the only celestial bound vehicle that's right around the corner.
[Source: CNET News.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 12:12PM (2/17/2006)
As a pilot myself, what people don't realize is these skycars really aren't just cars - they are merely airplanes. Operators of these "sky cars"
will be required to have some kind of license, such as a "Private Pilot" license at least. Putting these forms of transportation in the hands of the general public, where the majority of the population have minimal driving skill as it is, will cause a deadly hazard to both the operators of the sky car and other aircraft in the air.
Not to mention getting into IMC conditions which require an instrument rating - most of them time when VFR pilots enter into IMC conditions they will not return alive. For non-pilots, this means flying into the clouds where spatial orientation illusions result in instant deadly consequences if no prior instrument training has been given to the pilot (ie, Instrument rating).
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Robert Brodrecht 12:14PM (2/17/2006)
It might be great for flying, but it'd suck to drive. Tons of blind spots. What if you got in a fender bender while on the ground 500 miles from where you live? I wonder how important that front wing is...
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Jason 12:34PM (2/17/2006)
Additionally... if you guys think a driver's license is expensive, try getting a Private Pilot's license. Typically costs $6500 MINIMUM up to $10,000. I spent $8,500 for mine.
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Gary Blinco 1:11PM (2/17/2006)
Over 50 years ago a flying car was in production. Bob Cummings used drive and fly it on his old TV show back in the 1950's...
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft/Aerocar/info/info.htm
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Steve C. 5:10PM (2/17/2006)
The expense and engineering required to build a safe and economical airplane is very, very different from the expense and engineering required to build a safe and economical car.
In order for any of these "aircars" to become certified, it would have to cost around $300,000 to $350,000 a pop and would carry 4 people with their baggage for maybe 500 miles.
For that same $300,000 to $350,000, you could by an S-Class Mercedes AND a very safe and servicible used 4-place airplane.
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Barry 9:53PM (2/17/2006)
Unless flying cars of the future look anything like those in Spielberg's 'Back to the Future II' I don't these will ever really catch on.
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nick 10:34PM (2/18/2006)
personally i like the idea of this concept. i think this os one of the major step need to make a flying car. i dought this car will ever be produce or sold for the same reasons as listed above. but any pilot would haver to admit that it would be nice to drive your car right to the airport and take off.
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Adam Wolff 8:23AM (2/20/2006)
The classic problem with roadable aircraft is that it is difficult to make an aircraft that will meet DOT standards. The DOT requirements for roadworthiness and crash safety add substantial weight. If these guys were to have a chance of meeting both these standards and their goal of LSA (Light Sport) classification, theyd have to use exotic materials. And that could easily push their price beyond their stated goal of $150,000. At $150K and above, who wants to buy this rather than a $50,000 plane and hire a limo or taxi once they have reached their destination?
Not trying to sound like an ad, just looking for feedback. My proposal for a viable roadable aircraft is a flying motorcycle that allows the pilot to drive a standard, commercial motorcycle and ride from the airport, leaving his wings, on to his destination.
I welcome the thoughts of this group.
Visit http://www.wolffaerocycle.com for more information.
-Adam Wolff
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Cliff 6:06PM (2/23/2006)
I like the concept, including the two front wheels, the forward canard wing and rear facing prop. Hopefully the wing folding is easy and fast to do.
Typically vehicles like this end up being either a good car and bad airplane or vice versa.
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