Autoblog

Where are the flying cars we were promised? Popular Mechanics thinks it has the answer

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

Terrafugia Transition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surely, you're familiar with the Jetsons, the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon world from the 1960s that was said to take place in the year 2062. Too futuristic for your blood? How about Ridley's Scott's Blade Runner, which starred Harrison Ford and was supposed to show life in the year 2019? And then there's Back to the Future II, which is even closer to our modern day, depicting life at 2015.

What's the constant in all of these retro-futuristic takes on what tomorrow may hold? ~~Hoverboards.~~ Flying cars. We're not sure about you, but we don't see no stinkin' flying cars floating down our streets. So, what gives? Besides reality, of course. Well... actually, reality is the key. The problem with flying cars from 50 years ago all the way until today remains the same: because the machine needs to operate just as capably in the sky as on the ground, compromises have to be made.

Compromises don't exactly equal success in the automotive or airplane marketplace. To meet government regulations, an automobile must pass a stringent series of safety and environmental tests, and the same is true for airplanes. Needless to say, then, combining the two is pretty darn difficult to accomplish. That said, Popular Mechanics has found reason to be excited about the prospect of the Terrafugia flying car. If that's a topic that interests you, we suggest you click here to read all about it.

Gallery: Terrafugia Transition Flying Car

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Where are the flying cars we were promised? Popular Mechanics thinks it has the answer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Specialty, South America, Off-Road

i-tec Mavric flying buggy - Click above for high-res image gallery

In a lot of ways, we've been shortchanged on the transportation front. We were supposed to be jetting around in flying cars by the year 2000, but unfortunately, our vehicles remain firmly bolted the ground below them. At least for now. A company by the name of i-tec is out to build and sell an off-road vehicle capable of taking to the skies in a bid to bring missionaries to the far-flung reaches of the Amazon. Called the Mavric, the buggy weighs a heady 1,100 lbs, but manages to get off the ground thanks to a massive, carbon-fiber blade reverse-prop 128-horsepower engine and an ultra-light style airfoil.

The FAA has granted the Mavric experimental status, and the i-tec crew has been putting the buggy through its paces. While the company specifically wants to use its invention to buzz around in the rain forest, it also has an eye on selling its flying off-roader to companies that spend time inspecting expanses of pipe or fence in unruly terrain. We just want one to use to terrorize our neighborhood.

Gallery: i-tec Mavric

[Source: i-tec]

Maverick flying car can actually fly, and you'll never be without a parachute originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrafugia Transition flying "car" gets special FAA exemption, sees clear skies ahead?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Technology, Specialty

Terrafugia Transition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another day, another flying car, right? According to The Daily Telegraph, the FAA has just awarded the Terrafugia Transition an exemption which will allow the 1,440-pound car/aircraft hybrid to fly under a "light sport" designation, even though it hits the scales at a hefty 120 lbs. more than the rules allow. A light sport pilot license only requires 20 hours of seat time - far less than what a full license would demand.

Designed to be a viable piece of transportation that's just as happy in the air as it is on the ground, the Transition comes loaded with all of the safety goodies of your standard economy car - airbags and crumple zones come standard. While Terrafugia hasn't exactly said what kind of top speed the Transition can carry on terra firma, it does say the craft gets around 30 mpg when scooting around town.

Should the weather turn sunny and the skies grow clear, however, the Transition can lower its wings, fire up a rear-mounted propeller and take to the air where it can carry a top speed of around 115 mph with a range of 460 miles. Not too shabby. The little carplane only requires an air strip of around 1/3 of a mile, and with its wings folded, can comfortably fit in any garage. Final MSRP is expected to be around $194,000.

Gallery: Terrafugia Transition Flying Car

[Source: The Daily Telegraph | Images: Terrafugia]

Terrafugia Transition flying "car" gets special FAA exemption, sees clear skies ahead? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's oldest known flying car headed for the auction block?

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Specialty

1935 Skroback "roadable" aircraft - Click above for image gallery

Going across the block this weekend in Atlanta is a vehicle auction house Red Baron's Antiques is describing as the oldest original flying car in existence. Built in 1934 or 1935 by designer Frank Skroback, this "roadable aircraft" is truly a sight to behold. Looking a bit like a dirigible that's been set up for grand prix racing, it has a seven-foot wingspan and enough wings, stabilizers, ailerons and flaps to supply the whole grid in last weekend's Bahrain GP.

Skroback wasn't a car builder or a plane builder. He was actually a retired industrial technician and electrician from Syracuse, New York. He was apparently inspired by the concepts of Henri Mignet, the French furniture maker who became an aircraft designer and came up with the tandem-wing monoplane. Skroback wanted to adapt the concept to a vehicle that could be used both on the ground and in the air. It's hard to believe it could actually fly, with its six fixed seven-foot-wide wings trying to lift that 21-foot long contraption, even if it was actually pretty light. Under its linen outer wrap is a tubular steel fuselage with spruce wind panels.

Red Baron's Antiques will be selling the flying car this weekend along with an extensive collection of documentation. There's a small sample in the gallery below. Think of it as the great-grandfather of Rudy Heeman's flying hovercraft.

Gallery: 1935 Skroback "roadable" aircraft

[Source: Red Baron's Antiques via Wired | Photo: Red Baron's Antiques]

World's oldest known flying car headed for the auction block? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Washington starting its own "Transformer" program

Dan Roth — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Military, Specialty

The obvious glib commentary here would invoke Optimus Prime, or something. Instead, we're going to digress momentarily and say that the best kind of transformer involves an LP record and an SL1200. Either way, DARPA has its own transforming going on. The Pentagon's latest initiative has been dubbed Transformer, and it aims to make the prognostications of 1955 come true - flying cars and all. (Bonus points for DARPA if they can get them to fold up neatly into briefcases.)

Pushing military technology is the purpose; the primary goal is a vehicle capable of both driving on the road and flying. Such abilities would allow the vehicle to cross difficult terrain more efficiently, especially considering the vertical take off and landing capability the design brief calls for. Other bullet points include low cost and maximal military utility.

Flying cars have been developed before, all with some level of compromise. Even now, there's the Moller SkyCar, and the Terrafugia Transition; both are nearing feasible production, albeit with large, six-figure price tags. If you've developed a car to fly over traffic jams like we all wish for, you've got less than a week to register with DARPA for the January 14th kickoff.

[Source: Inside Line | Image: Hanna-Barbera]

Report: Washington starting its own "Transformer" program originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Etc., Specialty

Parajet Skycar prototypes - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, the Parajet Skycar Expedition, featuring the "World's First Bio-fuelled Flying Car," flew from London, England to Timbuktu in Mali, Africa. If you lusted over something so incredibly cool - a car that can transform from ground to air mode in about three minutes and actually works in both areas, then we've got good news for you: Parajet International Ltd has struck a deal to produce road-legal SkyCars with Rage Motorsport Ltd.

Rage will build the vehicle and Parajet will add all the parts that make it fly. A mock-up of the vehicle is pictured here, but Parajet says a "totally new chassis is being designed for the SkyCar which accommodates the rear fan system into the tubular chassis work." This will reduce weight by about 80 kg (176 lbs). Other changes are to include a re-positioned rear parachute, more legroom and a three-cylinder, 140 horsepower fuel-injected Yamaha engine. How long will you have to wait for one? Parajet says test flights of the skycar should happen this September and the release date could be early 2010.

Watch a CNN-produced video of the Skycar in action after the jump.

Gallery: Biofueled Skycar

[Sources: Parajet Ltd; CNN.com]

Continue reading Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010

Biofuel Skycar headed for production in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: One of six Aerocars ever made

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

Click above for more shots of the Aerocar in eBay

Now here's something you just don't see every day. In fact, we'd wager most people will never see an original Aerocar in person at all, considering that only six were ever made. Now that one has managed to pop up on eBay Motors, this could be your chance to own a small piece of history. Built in 1956, this red and black Aerocar hasn't been flown since the late '70s, but looks to have been stored properly and appears to be in remarkably good shape.

Powered by a single Lycoming engine offering up 135 horses, the Aerocar is capable of hitting 112 miles per hour in the air and about half that on the tarmac. The whole kit was an amazing when it was designed in the 1940s with its front-wheel drive chassis propping up foldable wings that are towed behind when not needed along with a rear-mounted detachable pusher prop. The transformation from automobile to airplane reportedly takes one man just five minutes to complete.

Such a unique and historically significant machine isn't going to come cheap. In the case of the Aerocar, a cool $3.5 mil is all that's required to ~~fly~~ ~~drive~~ trailer it home for yourself. To quote Dr. Jones, this thing belongs in a museum.

Gallery: 1956 Aerocar on eBay

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: One of six Aerocars ever made originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2008: Milner Motors AirCar lands in Javits Center

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:39:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Green

Click above for high-res gallery of the flying car from Milner

Our environmentally-attuned brethren at AutoblogGreen pointed us into the lower hall of the Javits Center to check out something they knew we'd love. After wading through the trucks and specialty makers on hand, we reached the Milner Motors booth. To one side was the Milner Motors ElectriCar. Across from it was the Milner Motors AirCar, which was what we came to see. Essentially the same as its electric vehicle, the flying car adds a set of wings and twin engine nacelles that theoretically supply enough thrust and lift for 1,000 miles of flight at 200 MPH. When earthbound, the wing package folds up and the car's 40-hp electric motor powers it up to 85 mph thanks to its light weight and great aerodynamics (the cd is only .209). This particular one is a non-functioning prototype, but we think we'll toss it off the roof of the Empire State building to test its glide prowess. We can only guess how much fun this thing might be if we could figure out a way to use those jet engines and their extra 300 hp to power this 1,800 lb. missle on the ground.

Gallery: Milner Motors AirCar

New York 2008: Milner Motors AirCar lands in Javits Center originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2008: Panoz Esperante Flying Car

Drew Phillips — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Etc.

Click above for high resolution photos of the car

We doubt Danny Panoz envisioned anyone attaching wings to an Esperante, let alone actually flying one. Of course, throw Jesse James of West Coast Choppers into the equation and anything can happen. This 2004 Panoz Esperante actually took flight on an episode of Monster Garage, making it off the ground for 280 feet before touching down safely. The interior has been stripped to make room for a full roll cage, a propeller is mounted in the trunk, and the 36' wings are handmade.

The final bid of $45,000 ($54,000 after auction fees) wasn't too high, although the Monster Garage cars haven't been commanding high numbers. We can't imagine what exactly you would want to do with this vehicle, so it's no surprise that bidding didn't come close to six figures.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2008: Panoz Esperante Flying Car

Barrett-Jackson 2008: Panoz Esperante Flying Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Commence holding breath: X-Hawk flying car could be here by 2010

John Neff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The flying car is the equivalent of transportation's carrot on a stick. It's a concept that always seems to be 3-5 years down the road. According to an Isreali inventor named Rafi Yoeli, the flying car will actually be here by 2010 in the form of his X-Hawk. The X-Hawk uses a ducted fan design that allows it to have the same manueverability of a helicopter without exposed blades that prevent choppers from hovering near buildings and the like. Yoeli's own company, Urban Aeronautics, is developing the X-Hawk first as a workhorse vehicle that could be used by firefighters, rescue teams, and the military to aid in the recovery of people stranded in hard to reach places.

Like a helicopter, the X-Hawk can take off and land vertically, it will be able to fly up to 155 mph, reach an altitude of 12,000 ft and remain in the air for two hours. The size of the X-Hawks rotors, which are powere by four internal combustion engines, will be much smaller than a helicopters, which will make the vehicle quieter but also guzzle 50% more fuel. The X-Hawk only exists as a full-scale mockup right now, but Yoeli expects an unmanned Mule version to fly in 2009. A larger version capable of carrying ten people is also planned. The estimated price for an X-Hawk will make a Veyron owner blush: between $1.5 and $3.5 million, and Yoeli admits those estimates might be low.

At this point, we're prepared to pony up whatever cash is necessary to make the most famous example of automotive vaporware a reality. Check out more details on the X-Hawk after the jump.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Related posts:
eBay Find of the Day: Moller SkyCar
LaBische FSC-1TM could be the flying car we're waiting for
The Hammerhead: Is this the flying car we've been waiting for?
Alfa Romeo Spix flying concept car
NASA funds Flying Car competition

Continue reading Commence holding breath: X-Hawk flying car could be here by 2010

Commence holding breath: X-Hawk flying car could be here by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Hammerhead: Is this the flying car we've been waiting for?

John Neff — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:38:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

The Moller SkyCar. The Terrafugia. The Alfa Romeo Spix flying concept car. All three of these winged machina have been dangled in our faces like a carrot at the end of an impossibly long stick. Jeff Allen Case is hoping he'll be the first to deliver on the promise of flying cars with his Hammerhead prototype. He's a few steps behind the Moller SkyCar and Terrafugia, having only a couple renderings of the Hammerhead and a spec sheet that exists on paper only. The Hammerhead has a three-fan configuration with two forward fans that tilt for both lift and thrust. Though we weren't told what engine would power the Hammerhead, Case says he expects a top speed of 250 mph at 8,000 ft. with a range of 300 miles. It both takes off and lands vertically, and Case claims the vehicle is characterized by being lightweight, easy to operate, safe and fast. The renderings show a one-seater cockpit, but the production version would seat two in tandem. Of course, a production version is the next step that the Hammerhead won't reach until Case finds some funding. He's hoping Jay-Z or P. Diddy might be interested in supplying the Benjamins needed to put the Hammerhead in production, but we suggest he go for that second mortgage and enter his design in NASA's Personal Air Vehicle Challenge. Perhaps he can catch the attention of some deep pockets at DARPA.

Follow the jump for an additional high resolution shot of the Hammerhead.

[Source: Jeff Allen Case]

Continue reading The Hammerhead: Is this the flying car we've been waiting for?

The Hammerhead: Is this the flying car we've been waiting for? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaBische FSC-1TM could be the flying car we're waiting for

John Neff — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc.

We swear to all that is good and holy that we will not leave the mortal shackles of this terrestrial plane until we see flying cars become a reality. Perhaps the LaBische FSC-1TM will be the flying car that allows us to die in peace. If so, by the time we expire the skies will be filled with the FSC-1TM that features wings and a rear propeller that both fold up and disappear inside the car when driving on the street. When airborne the craft can reach speeds up to 275 mph, a figure based on calculations garnered from scale model prototypes being tested by LaBische. While we were hoping flying cars of the future would be powered by scramjet technology, if it's got to be prop-driven, then so be it. While a full-scale functioning prototype of the FSC-1TM has yet to be produced, the company is accepting deposits for build-it-yourself kits that will set you back $175,000 upon delivery. Upon delivery... we're waiting.

[Source: LaBische via Engadget]

LaBische FSC-1TM could be the flying car we're waiting for originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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