Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
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Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
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Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#2It's a good attempt, but I believe the definition of a flying car is a car that doesn't need to drive to the airport?
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#3It's a good attempt, but I believe the definition of a flying car is a car that doesn't need to drive to the airport?
Given current roadway infrastructure I think that would preclude any sort of "plane" other than Harrier style VTOL craft, and from what I understand those are expensive and difficult even for the military. Your other option would be a helicopter.
For my personal definition this complete works. But I have no clue which of us is more representative of the public…
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#4I doubt from a safety standpoint they will be allowing this in our airspace- - people wreck their cars all over the place, the last thing we need is cars falling out of the sky, or more ways to die. -- Doubt the FAA will ever greenlight this..at least here in America doesn't seem feasible. Possibly in 30 years - -when there's an automated version -- ie set coordinates and it handles all routing/air-traffic control mechanisms -- think google auto-driving car for personal aircrafts... that would be huge.. but still a distant dream.
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#5I love these things, I think concepting road to air is a great field that I encourage people to explore.
However, I think people should refrain from making a business out of this. Use research funds to push boundaries! I can't help but look at this page and video and think that they are trying to make money off of it.
Speaking as a pilot, a lot of aircraft are built with crashing in mind. Just look at the 777 crash at SFO recently. Judging this craft simply by the video, I have serious doubts that this craft would keep you very safe in an air emergency. I'd love to see what its glide ratio is.
Another issue with current road->air systems is the need of 2 powerplants: one for the road and one for the air. For road travel, the extra weight is not that big of an issue. However, the weight of the road engine (batteries if it were electric) puts serious limitations on its airworthiness and stability.
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#6I doubt from a safety standpoint they will be allowing this in our airspace- - people wreck their cars all over the place, the last thing we need is cars falling out of the sky, or more ways to die. -- Doubt the FAA will ever greenlight this..at least here in America doesn't seem feasible. Possibly in 30 years - -when there's an automated version -- ie set coordinates and it handles all routing/air-traffic control me…
I think getting it street legal will be a much bigger battle.
There's no reason that this couldn't be certified as a LSA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-sport_aircraft).
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#7I just don't get the appeal of roadable aircraft like this.
Every single one I've seen is neither a particularly good airplane nor a particularly good car, and they're expensive. For the price of one, you can generally buy a better car, a better airplane, and a second better car to keep at your most frequent destination airport, and have enough money left over to rent cars at other destinations for years.
I can't find a price on this one, but I suspect it will be no different.
If you want a light plane, buy a light plane. There are plenty of them out there, with a large variety. If you want a car, buy a car. Lots of reasonably priced choices there. I just don't see why anyone would ever want a single vehicle for both roles.
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#8I'm pretty sure Terrafugia is much further ahead: http://www.terrafugia.com/aircraft/transitionR
But competition is always good!
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#9I'm pretty sure Terrafugia is much further ahead: http://www.terrafugia.com/aircraft/transitionR But competition is always good!
Hm, I don't think so. These guys are working on it almost 20 years. They just spoke at Bombardier conference in Canada http://www.sae.org/events/atc/
Re: Aeromobil: Roadable aircraft
#10Just another toy for the wealthy. I'm still looking for something like the Moller Skycar with auto-pilot. Getting a pilot's license is too hard/expensive/takes too long for it go mainstream. It would also be nice if it used something stronger than a propeller (not sure if jet engines work on small aircraft). If it's going to replace plane trips, it needs to go a lot faster than 60mph.