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Technology & energy issues completely aside, I doubt that anyone alive today will ever see "flying cars" in quantities like conventional cars. The reasons are two-fold; first, the infrastructure isn't capable of handling them. Streets are designed for ground traffic, and once you start getting the airspace above suburban and metropolitan areas full of small aircraft, the second reason comes into play: Most accidents from more than 20 or 30 feet high would be very serious or fatal. And with no dedicated traffic patterns, accidents would be frequent. Insurance premiums then become astronomical and out of reach of the average consumer.
We will see commonplace flying "cars" when the entire traffic pattern, down to the individual vehicle, is computer-controlled (and there goes the fun, folks- you won't get to pilot it yourself), and the infrastructure has been built to accomodate it- a task about as expensive, it has been estimated, as the national highway system itself, and probably taking even longer to build. It will mean fundamental changes in lifestyle.
So, assuming the technology arrives and operating costs come within reach of the average commuter, I still think seeing the "flyways" full of traffic is several generations away.
But it's the year 2000 and I was promised flying cars. I want my flying car!
__________________ Emissions and fuel economy haven't exactly been areas of strength for past rotary power plants, but absolutely no one with a soul has ever cared. - Autoweek
Rotary History:1982 RX7 GS, 1985 RX7 GSL-SE, 2004 RX8 Sport-Continuous Rotary Owner since 1985
Racing History:SCCA Solo II 1979-1986, Skip Barber Comp School 1983, SCCA Club Racing 1987-1993, 2004-2011 Track Days
Did you even read the auction? aside from lifting off, it cant do anything else
time to pwn you noob!
from the auction:
Quote:
it was the PR show ship and was used to perfect the computer assisted programs that was to be used in these aircraft. It looks as if it did indeed have motors in it but there are none now
I have machined new parts for the rotor heads (not altering the originals) and have it setup to have 3,450 RPM AC electric motors put in only to demonstrate it is capable to run the lifting fans. It will not lift off with these motors
This thing can't do squat. And the interior makes the new rx-8's look amazing :P
Go watch the movie 2001: A Space Odessy....and see what we are really missing out on...
I saw it when it first came out.
__________________ Emissions and fuel economy haven't exactly been areas of strength for past rotary power plants, but absolutely no one with a soul has ever cared. - Autoweek
Rotary History:1982 RX7 GS, 1985 RX7 GSL-SE, 2004 RX8 Sport-Continuous Rotary Owner since 1985
Racing History:SCCA Solo II 1979-1986, Skip Barber Comp School 1983, SCCA Club Racing 1987-1993, 2004-2011 Track Days
who's got about $48k? 
Linear Mode
