I love it. Can’t wait to see the first batch of production reviews from customers.
Also on energy usage:
Why does it matter how much electrical energy it uses? We know how to harness a near infinite amount.
Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
31–40 of 286 posts
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#32I must say I'm against this development. First of all, even if electric, this is certainly a very inefficient way of transportation that will 'waste' a lot of energy to transport maybe 4 people. The resulting price of this technology will result in the 99% stuck on the ground while the only te 1% can afford the fare. And even if it becomes a regular mode of transportation, do you really want these planes to fly over…
I agree. People talking about flying cars sound a lot like people demanding faster horses. Or flying horses. I do not think the American dream of a private car scales too well to the future, be it with rubber wheels or tiny propellers. Especially given the population growth. Instead, a brief visit to Singapore, for example, will convince anyone what the future of transportation looks like. A public transport system,…
> Instead, a brief visit to Singapore, for example, will convince anyone what the future of transportation looks like. A public transport system, enabling a lifestyle that makes cars redundant.
Living in Singapore, I agree with what you say, but in this future, there will be a lot of whining, too:
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#33What's the long pointy bit that sticks out from the nose for?
A single pitot probe it seems, so no triple redundancy? Also cannot spot any angle of attack sensors or anti icing measures (perhaps electric?). I hope it has a BRS at least..
There are a lot of things in aviation written it blood. A lot of work hours sunk into inspecting the swiss cheese from every angle, until the light does not shine through. Not the most welcoming ground for "disruption".
Still, even the most modern autopilot will drop the controls to the pilot's lap almost routinely.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#34> No traffic lights
? only as long as there are just a few flying around. Once there are some with crossing routes you will need air traffic city rules as well.
I am really interested to see how that would pan out.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#35I love it. Can’t wait to see the first batch of production reviews from customers. Also on energy usage: Why does it matter how much electrical energy it uses? We know how to harness a near infinite amount.
Because it claims to be green, and you'd need a green way to harness that amount on demand.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#36It seems the vertical take off blades become dead weight and air resistance in horizontal flight. Could they auto-rotate instead, aiding lift? Similar to how an auto gyro works. The wings would be the primary lift providers but why not take advantage of the vertical blades as well?
The rotate mechanism would add weight and complexity.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#37I love it. Can’t wait to see the first batch of production reviews from customers. Also on energy usage: Why does it matter how much electrical energy it uses? We know how to harness a near infinite amount.
> Why does it matter how much electrical energy it uses? We know how to harness a near infinite amount.
This is a silly thing to say while there's still quite so much CO2 being emitted from electricity production.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#38I must say I'm against this development. First of all, even if electric, this is certainly a very inefficient way of transportation that will 'waste' a lot of energy to transport maybe 4 people. The resulting price of this technology will result in the 99% stuck on the ground while the only te 1% can afford the fare. And even if it becomes a regular mode of transportation, do you really want these planes to fly over…
It's true that they should not be adopted en masse, but in some cases, it is very useful:
* transportation across mountainous terrain - it will actually increase safety
* a few tightly controlled shuttles in gridlocked megalopolises like those in Asia with nightmarish traffic
Basically, taking over the role of the helicopters, but safer and more affordable.
I would, however, prefer fewer smaller bus-sized vehicles.
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#39I must say I'm against this development. First of all, even if electric, this is certainly a very inefficient way of transportation that will 'waste' a lot of energy to transport maybe 4 people. The resulting price of this technology will result in the 99% stuck on the ground while the only te 1% can afford the fare. And even if it becomes a regular mode of transportation, do you really want these planes to fly over…
I don't fear flying cars. I fear flying car crashes. Instead of a fender bender they "land" in your bedroom.
Ever heard of a ballistic parachute? Not a 100% solution of course, but then again zero customers died in all passenger aircraft flights last year.
That’s saying a lot when every single day, there are times when there are over a million people simultaneously sitting in chairs in the sky
Re: Cora – Kitty Hawk's prototype air taxi [video]
#40I must say I'm against this development. First of all, even if electric, this is certainly a very inefficient way of transportation that will 'waste' a lot of energy to transport maybe 4 people. The resulting price of this technology will result in the 99% stuck on the ground while the only te 1% can afford the fare. And even if it becomes a regular mode of transportation, do you really want these planes to fly over…
What about in places like Bogota where the rich are already using helicopters to travel the city? Surely a service like this opens air travel up for a larger audience.
And as for efficiency, again, places like Bogota or Guatemala City are so congested all day/evening, surely idling in your car for 1+hr to go a few miles is not efficient.