(Photos: Terrafugia's flying car flies)

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Since when it this something new?

Major magazines, who should know better are calling this the "World's first flying car" when in reality it's at least the 5th. Many have been built with the first I believe in 1937. I know of two examples of the "Aerocar" from about 1949. One of those was restored and flown some time in the last couple of years. I believe it is now in the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) museum.

The Aerocar and this one have two things in common, they are roadable cars that will fly and not just an airplane that can be driven on the road, sans wings. However the Terrafugia's flying car is no huge step forward in technology other than materials are now available to make the conversion more practical (and faster) than previous "flying cars" and it looks "prettier".

Although all of the "flying cars" have been technical marvels, the fact remains we have no real practical place for them and the market would/will be very limited. As I said before, there are few places for them to take off and land near metropolitan areas. Large airports with air carrier service with their security requirements "landing fees, parking fees, and now "security clearance fees" pretty much are eliminated. Smaller airfields are usually farther out. These designs will also be limited to daytime, good weather flying only

Unless you live *way* out in the country with a state that permits landing on roadways those too are out. OTOH pilots consider roads as one of the most dangerous places to land due to power and phone lines which are invisible until the last moment.

Engine failures as some one else mentioned are generally no big thing for well trained pilots depending on what's under you (although they can be exciting). In nearly 1400 hours I've experience only one complete engine failure in a 3000# plus airplane and didn't even scrape the paint. It should be noted that *most* engine failures still result in safe landings, but again that is with well trained pilots and well maintained aircraft.

Posted by: rdhalsteatzd   Posted on: 03/19/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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