The flying car has been the subject of many jokes, futuristic depictions and popular culture (The Jetsons, Back to the Future, Blade Runner). Yet despite seeing it on screen for so long, it is still an engineering Holy Grail that has eluded inventors despite over half a century of work. But the most recent attempt by a small British team is based on simple parachute technology and arguably the most workable and green design yet.
Previous designs of a flying car have been expensive and never gone beyond the prototype stage, but the Skycar designed by Gilo Cardozo will cost the same price as a BMW saloon and has the advantage of using existing technology that is already tried and tested.
In road-going mode, the Skycar is little more than a two-seater kart powered by a motorcycle engine that has been modified to run on bioethanol. In order to fly the car relies on a flexible wing of the sort used by skydivers, and a large fan.
In road-going mode, the Skycar is little more than a two-seater kart powered by a motorcycle engine that has been modified to run on bioethanol. In order to fly the car relies on a flexible wing of the sort used by skydivers, and a large fan.
The Skycar’s abilities will be tested to limit later this month when two explorers set off from London in the propeller-powered dune buggy heading for the Sahara.
Would YOU buy a flying car?
36 comments:
A flying car? I'd buy one if it was more Jetsons than James Bond, this one looks insanely impractical!
It sounds very cool but will we need a flying license?
Will it not interfere with low flying aircraft?
Great idea in principle and if it takes off en masse (no pun intended) but having 10 flying cars over Europe or the US doesn't sound like anything but a rich man's luxury fantasy and not a practical solution to anything. Also how exactly do they take off, presumably they need runway space, a pilot's license, extensive training, insurance etc. Car crashes are bad enough but a flying car crash between two airborne vehicles would be horrific.
Flying car? What will they do next - flying bicycle?
does it run on air fuel, if so, isn't it very expensive and very polluting?
It runs on bioethanol as stated in the original post. The large fan is what puts me off, imagine catching your fingers in that!
I'm very keen to know more about this just out of interest and know what it actually looks like as the post says the image is of a US prototype and not the flying car.
Can we be kept up to date about the London to Sahara adventure? Will the electric bike guys be documenting it?
Has anyone seen Kevin Smith's short about the Flying Car?
http://www.viewaskew.com/tv/leno/flyingcar160.mov
ROFL! THAT WAS BRILLIANT! What would you give for the flying car?
Not what he did!
I don't think this will 'take off' (pun intended) as it's not like the cars we've seen in films which zoom through the air and to be honest, we want cars that look like cars and still fly.
A Flying car? Why??
I have no idea how this is going to go but gaging by the reaction here, you guys don't want a flying car! I'd love one but it'd need to be rolled out in a big way and be cheap enough for everyone to have.
A flying car would be cool, although I too can't see where to fly it. It would be great to take off from in between a traffic jam but I presume it can't just lift itself up so would need space to take off, in which case wouldn't work. Also what if it hits a double decker bus or goes over a tunnel instead of under? Does it still need to obey traffic lights if it can go over them? What if it changes the wind direction or environmental atmosphere? Interesting idea though.
I like that this uses existing technology so the fear of venturing into completely new ground is eradicated.
1. I’m so pleased this is a British creation. That means it’ll probably fail but we tried nonetheless. Unless Richard Branson chooses to invest in it, in which case it could be a winner.
2. A two-seater kart with a motorcycle, a parachute and a large fan. Not too complicated then. Add to it bioethanol conversion and you’re practically barmy. This I gotta see.
3. The same price as a BMW SALOON. Note the word Saloon. So all you flyboys and flygirls should bear in mind that it’s out of the realm of affordability for most.
4. Looks like it’ll be good for thrillseekers, less so for those looking to do their bit for the environment and avoid traffic. It’s more a fun gimmick than a viable mode of transport. Could you carry your shopping in it? Would you take the kids up in it? No. They won’t fit. What you could do is have a great Thelma & Louise moment and completely rewrite the ending of one of the greatest films of all time.
Skycar. Couldn’t you come up with a better name than that?
If it works, it’d be tempting to take it out for a spin and use it. I can see it being more of a fairground attraction than anything else. I may change my mind after knowing more details, but nothing major at the moment.
Is this for farms?
Will this vehicle be included in Streetcar’s latest roster of car club vehicles? If not then why not? Why would they discriminate against this extremely green vehicle? Oh wait, I’m sorry I got confused and thought car clubs were supposed to be green for a moment. I just remember that they are a business and are only really painted green when wanting our money and councils money to put their bays and cars in. Silly me. :P
I think the Sahara would melt it. I just can’t imagine this baby in the desert, but stuck in muddy waters.
Why is it when I read that I pictured the ship from Star Wars lodged in the swamps of Dagobah?
Lol, guys this isn’t even out yet and you’ve condemned it. Even if Branson was going to invest he wouldn’t touch it now with a barge pole!
Flying cars need to be electric or hydro-powered and not rely on parachutes which could tear! I think this is ridicullus.
up up and away!
LOL! I JUST SAW THE FLYING CaR SHORT! EXCELLENT!
no never, i hate flying.
If it'll take me from here to Europe I'll get it as it'l save me queuing up at the airport.. or will it? Will I need to still go through security and customs etc/?? Or Can I just fly over there?
It'll never take off. Get it? TAKE OFF!
LOL, fasten your seatbelts takes on a new meaning too!Do you thnk you have to pack your own in-flight meals although you probably won't want to take anything that'll make the place heavy or hope you don't need the bathroom during flight!
Hmm, this is a CAR we're talking about and I reckon the flight aspect is a gimmick for short term short distance, not for international or long haul flights.
No road rage, but I wouldn't want to tussle with any low-flying aircraft.
If you fly too close to the sun will the ;petrol catch fire?
I'm a guy so I;d have no problem using the bathroom although if anyone takes a photo I'd be done for indecency in airspace and down below they may think it's raining!
EEEWWWWWW! Ok, The Skycar all of a sudden needs to have rules:
1. You need permission to fly and you have to adhere to a moral code of conduct.
2. Rules for food: no trash out the window. It'll kill a seagull or something.
3. No bathroom breaks. Zip up that fly or you can't fly!
4. Short-haul trips only allowed.
I suspect there will be more but we need to know more about this before we know them and I'd be interested to hear about those guys doing the trip in it.
Post a Comment