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Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

Posted November 03, 2011 7:20 AM

Fodder for movie scripts and taking shape on inventor drawing boards for more than a century, a flying car seems to finally be near reality. A Massachusetts company says it will deliver next year the Transition, a small aircraft-auto. Others makers also claim to be nearing release of fly-and-drive machines. Are flying cars destined to be a novelty at best, or will they eventually see widespread application?

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Guru

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#1

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/03/2011 12:56 PM

Americans cannot even drive safely in 2-dimensions. 3-dimensions would be utterly diasasterous.

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#3
In reply to #1

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/03/2011 1:05 PM

Could be worse, we could drive like the French.

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#6
In reply to #1

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 2:01 AM

I agree with you. Now accidents takes place in roads only. If all those vehicle start flying randomly in all directions,heights,speeds there will be falling,even burning debris on homes,schools and other structures making this world unsafe.

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#2

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/03/2011 12:59 PM

I don't like that.

But after over 40 years of this, I wish it would get out of the show room, where it can show real footage and not use illustrations of its ability.

I recall in the 70's that it was going to use what is now called GPS type navigations for traffic control.

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#4

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/03/2011 10:44 PM

I think as long as the form of lift for these vehicles is wing or prop generated, that it will never become available to the general public.

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#5

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 1:41 AM

Taking off may not be too hair-raising, but I want to watch someone try to set one down anywhere on I-95 between Boston, MA and Richmond, VA between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm on a weekday. The LIE (Long Island Expressway) ought to be particular fun on a Friday afternoon. Wyoming may be easier, but Laramie can still get a little crowded.

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#7

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 7:34 AM

Think of all those idiots behind the wheel of a normal car, now put them in a flying thing. 3D crashes galore. Also the problem of noise and lack of fuel to power them, landing strips, use by police and criminals. Flying cars are not new, they are just not practicable - remember the microlite?

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#8
In reply to #7

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 8:17 AM

the lady in the video says it is targeted at pilots, and costs as much as comparatively weighted aircraft... which puts it out of the leauge of those drivers, both financially and mentally. lol

it is a plane that drives.. not a car that flies.

cheers,

Chris

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#11
In reply to #8

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/06/2011 12:04 AM

Chris - I haven't seen the video you're referring to..but the lady in it maybe Anna Dietrich CEO of Terrafugia, the Massachusetts based company manufacturing the 'Transition'. Its currently expected to sell at about $200,000. Production probably early 2013. I'm quoting this from memory so subject to correction. Regretfully I have no connection with the company, but am open to offers of said vehicle.!

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#9

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 8:34 AM

I can remember flying cars from the 1960s, and they will always remain a novelty, also a lot of people have difficulty in manouvering in two dimentions, let alone three, so no I don't believe it will catch on!

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#10

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/04/2011 12:41 PM

It certainly wouldn't help energy conservation. I think for short, non-load carrying, commuting, bicycles are good. And what we need is open road rules like in other countries where you're likely to see camels, carts, scooters, cars, trucks AND bicycles, all on the same road system. Occupy Wall Street would take on a whole new meaning.

Given that shopping is such a huge activity in the U.S., bicycles don't work so well a lot of the time.

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#12

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

11/14/2011 4:18 AM

I wonder how the traffic control would be done on the Air.

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#13

Re: Flying Cars: Feasible or Fancy Idea?

12/05/2011 3:15 PM

Have you ever read the standards,qualifications and such from the FAA on aircraft or pilots?

Ron

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