Ragitsu Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 What would it actually take in terms of civil engineering or infrastructure to fully implement a system of flying cars by the time the technology is viable? The biggest hurdle to me seems to be the fact that if you run out of fuel/"crash", the potential for collateral damage is a lot more random and harder to manage in the aftermath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outsider Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? They have to be relatively cheap to buy and run, such that an average person can afford them. (Airplanes, helicopters, and dirigibles/blimps all fail at this) They have to be relatively quiet, such that people won't mind their neighbor having one. (Airplanes & helicopters fail at this) They have to be relatively compact in their space requirements (Airplanes (takeoff space) and dirigibles/blimps fail at this) And finally, they have to be relatively idiot-proof. Part of this might be disallowing the owning individuals from actually steering them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starcloud Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? A "true" full set of flying cars? Yeah.. outsider's pretty much correct. Auto-piloting systems that aren't easy to overrride, plus auto-guidance tech like those they're testing for cars, plus mandatory maintenance.. There are a few flying cars being commercially produced. However, they're as much as a small house or apartment... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Fuel's a biggie. No doubt about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackinder Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? The matter of piloting and regulation are bigger, I would say. Even assuming you build them idiot-proof, things like air traffic control and regulations would have to be completely overhauled. Under what circumstances can they take off or land, for instance, and how does this mesh in with other forms of aviation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Even assuming you build them idiot-proof There would still need to be some manual controls in the vehicle itself, otherwise "Blue Screen of Death" will take on a whole new meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egyptoid Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Regulation, bureaucracy, and taxation. all these must change for this to be reality. the real reason life is not like popular mechanics more often is that the majority of people are stupid, short-sighted, and greedy. BUT: to join in the spirit of the conversation - Landing Space. Suddenly the roof of a building is an important part, not just a waterproofing afterthought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xavier Onassiss Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Reliability will be another issue. If measured in terms of mechanical failures per air-mile traveled (or per hour of service), flying cars will need to be even more reliable than jumbo jets. If they become affordable, they will eventually outnumber the big passenger jets by large margin, and if the manufacturer settles for the same level of reliability, the number of accidents will go up proportionally. OTOH, flying cars purchased for personal use probably won't experience the same grueling operational tempo of the major carriers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackinder Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? BUT: to join in the spirit of the conversation - Landing Space. Suddenly the roof of a building is an important part, not just a waterproofing afterthought. Major changes needed there. I sincerely doubt that, as they are, most building roofs are up to that job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyper-Man Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Answer: Better Batteries Current development of a viable personal flying craft is still focused on internal combustion engine technology. Fuel costs are only going to increase. For the number of flying-craft in the air to actually be a significant burden on infrastructure the cost of buying and operating such a vehicle will need to be comparable to current automobiles. Better (much higher energy density/storage) Batteries are the only long term way this will have a chance of happening. *I am discounting Hydrogen as a viable flying craft power source since its storage requires high-pressure (high weight) tanks which is a no-no in a tech where power-to-weight ratio is everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjalund Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? I here the possibility of flying vehicles having emergency parachutes has come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyper-Man Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? I here the possibility of flying vehicles having emergency parachutes has come up. They've already been developed: http://www.magnumparachutes.com/inaction.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? I here the possibility of flying vehicles having emergency parachutes has come up. Yes, but parachutes require a certain minimum altitude to work properly. The biggest issue, IMO, is VTOL-capable flight that can be safely employed from the owner's driveway. We already have "flying cars", but they require an airport, which sort of defeats the purpose. You could probably take a fairly conventional helicopter, equip it with a sophisticated and failsafe autopilot with anti-collision tech, and be most of the way there. Then you would still have to modify the roof or driveway of your house, and more importantly, come up with someplace to land the thing close to where you work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starcloud Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Moeller.com. Look at the Autovolantor page. The range is *lousy* but it's a hybrid vehicle they're developing. And as a bonus, their original Aircar design uses a variant Wankel Rotary Engine. In case you ever felt like saying "Wankel Rotary Engine." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susano Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? The problem is the Moeller has been in development for years and hasn't gone anywhere (so to speak.) He can't even get something to hover for an extended period (last I heard.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escafarc Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asperion Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? To bring about personal aircars there needs to be major alterations in two departments - government and insurance. Government - overhaul licensing and registrations for both vehicle and operators. Currently separate licenses needed for ground and air vehicle with vehicle needing separate validations and certifications for either operation. I suggest that both licenses be merged into one license. Same with the validations and certifications. Insurance - The insurance companies charge a reasonable amount for ground vehicle (due to the overwhelming competition) but when it comes to air vehicles, they ream the few customers that they do have. As a result, the costs for air vehicles will have to come down to a level that the common person will be able to afford it. This could be a result of the same merging that I suggested above with the government. These are the biggest problems that I see at this time. I realize that there are other problems here but they are the biggest problems right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Government - overhaul licensing and registrations for both vehicle and operators. Currently separate licenses needed for ground and air vehicle with vehicle needing separate validations and certifications for either operation. I suggest that both licenses be merged into one license. Same with the validations and certifications. Dude, this would disqualify at least 90% of the drivers on the road. Which would be awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Dude, this would disqualify at least 90% of the drivers on the road. Which would be awesome. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackinder Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Sounds like it would also at least quadruple the bureaucracy needed to run the whole deal. Which would be unawesome. Really wanna think about a DMV (or equivalent thereof) that is at least several times more complex than now? .... A-N-D add to that equation a buttload of disqualified drivers desperately seeking alternative transport just to get to work or basically survive. Big big bucks needed for extra facilities there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? .... A-N-D add to that equation a buttload of disqualified drivers desperately seeking alternative transport just to get to work or basically survive. Now replace "drivers" with "politicians" and the rest with "trying to shape up, or die"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackinder Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Erm, 90% of drivers on the road are politicians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted March 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Erm' date=' 90% of drivers on the road are politicians?[/quote'] No. I just like idea of higher standards for politicians . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Which would be unawesome. Really wanna think about a DMV (or equivalent thereof) that is at least several times more complex than now? Your private pilot's license isn't that hard to get. Flying a plane, especially a little Cessna, is actually pretty easy. The hard part is drilling for what to do in emergencies, plus learning navigation, meteorology, and handling the radio. Seriously, just about any Hero gamer ought to be capable of earning a private pilot certification, except for the cost of the lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asperion Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Re: What will it take to get some flying cars? Your private pilot's license isn't that hard to get. Flying a plane' date=' especially a little Cessna, is actually pretty easy. The hard part is drilling for what to do in emergencies, plus learning navigation, meteorology, and handling the radio. Seriously, just about any Hero gamer ought to be capable of earning a private pilot certification, except for the cost of the lessons.[/quote'] You are right about all above. That was not my point. I was trying to say that to operate the aircar on the ground in the current regs one needs a standard driver's license. The instant that the aircar leaves the ground the operator needs now a pilot's license. Disregarding the costs of lessons, the effort to get the driver's license is one simple written and driven exam in most states and that license will work for most ground vehicles (some exceptions apply). However with the pilot's license the operator needs to first go to a class and learn to fly with a licensed instructor then apply for the FAA exam. To make this even worse the base pilot's license does NOT give one the ability to fly the plane. Once the base license is obtained, then the pilot needs to expand the base by passing an exam for each size and style of plane. There is one license for propcrafts, another for jets the size 707s, the size of 727s, more as they get larger, payload type requires its own license, and it only gets more complicated from there. What I would like to happen is to eliminate this confusion and merge the pilot's into the driver's license and make it so that one license will allow standard ground vehicles to fly. If one desires to go beyond the standard vehicle then the same requirements apply for different sizes of vehicles (just as things are today). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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