Non-solar flying cars this time

[Cathulhu]

Hey Gregg--would dearly like your opinion, this being more your areas of expertise:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Lates ... ders-video

Why am I hearing the Jetsons theme in my head?

[xanadu]

This might be a fine airplane, but it looks like a lousy automobile to me.

The long wheel base is going to make it difficult to manuver in traffic and since
it does not appear to have any rear view mirrors the problem is ever worst.

Finding a parking space will not be easy with such length.

Airplanes are for the air and autos are for highways. Mixing the two can only
lead to trouble.

[texino]

Xanadu says the car/plane

does not appear to have any rear view mirrors the problem is ever worst.

As a point of interest, the contraption does boast a set of side mirrors. I do agree with the other points posted by Xanadu and also extend a welcome to the Q.

[Cathulhu]

I do find myself wondering if Xanadu is posting from the same IP as Victor was...well, welcome, possibly again, to Quatloos...

[xanadu]

I have rechecked......My error.....it has mirrors.

Thanks all for words of welcome !!!

[Edgar]

That thing looks like a pain to park.

Also, if you really wanted a "flying car," wouldn't a helicopter be more practical for that purpose?

[Gregg]

pfft...a klunky car and worse airplane. I wouldn't want to drive it and I certainly wouldn't want to fly it.

[notorial dissent]

Maybe this is more to your taste???

[AndyK]

Unless the rotors can be folded AND some form of propulsion directed to the wheels, helicopters SO suck on the highway.

Plus, absent an extremely intelligent fly-by-wire system, they are also an absolute bitch to control. Coordinating the left and right hands AND both feet AND operating the instrument panel leaves most people short a limb or two.

Helicopter pilots are among the few people who can pat their heads, rub their bellies, and do an Irish clog dance at the same time.

[Cathulhu]

Unless the rotors can be folded AND some form of propulsion directed to the wheels, helicopters SO suck on the highway.

Plus, absent an extremely intelligent fly-by-wire system, they are also an absolute bitch to control. Coordinating the left and right hands AND both feet AND operating the instrument panel leaves most people short a limb or two.

Helicopter pilots are among the few people who can pat their heads, rub their bellies, and do an Irish clog dance at the same time.

And I've fallen down on my own stairs and broken bones--twice. Guess I won't be flying any 'copters in this life. I used to just think I was a klutz, until the doctors tested me and discovered my sense of balance was destroyed by the hit-and-run. Sadly, I must truly admit--I'm unbalanced.

[notorial dissent]

Yes, but we love you anyway. I have a friend with the same condition from same source.

[Cathulhu]

Thank you, Notorial. As a classic dizzy broad, that helps!

[JamesVincent]

lol... My oldest girl's sense of balance is so bad she fell off of a 3 wheeled bike.... twice...... while it was sitting still. When my twins were 5 they threw away their training wheels. She got on the bike and kept right on going off the other side. As far as being able to operate a complicated vehicle like a chopper, forget it. I keep telling her she's getting more and more blonde all the time.

[Cathulhu]

James, aren't you blonde yourself?

[JamesVincent]

Not quite as blonde as when I was younger, but, yes, I am a blonde also.

[Gregg]

I have been a helicopter pilot for 30 years and hate to say it, but I'm as clumsy as a drunk with an ear infection. I once broke a tooth falling out of an OH-58 on the ground.

[JamesVincent]

I have always been known for being light (lol) on my feet. Years of hunting and martial arts gave me great balance and the ability to move well. However when I do slip, I SLIP. I sprained my ankle and messed up my back for a few weeks one time by trying to answer the door at my parents house. Came out of the kitchen, wearing socks, and hit the top of the stairs and slipped. And slid halfway down the flight when my foot got caught in the spindles and jerked me around backwards, after which I continued my slide. When me and my ex were still together I went out to my work van during the winter so we could go somewhere. I slipped on ice and went completely underneath the van and got stuck. My ex had to help pull me out, after she got done laughing at me.

[notorial dissent]

This is the latest entrant I have seen in the category.

[JamesVincent]

This is the latest entrant I have seen in the category.

Where are the control surfaces?

[wserra]

Where are the control surfaces?

Where's the lift come from? God knows I'm no engineer, but I don't see how that thing can fly.