Posted on 06/10/2013 7:36:18 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The idea of a flying car has fascinated dreamers and aviation geeks alike since humans first got off the ground with powered flight.
The concept has obvious advantages: the "go anywhere, anytime" freedom of an automobile without any of the traffic congestion that terrestrial drivers face on a daily basis.
Featured in movies like Back to the Future and Blade Runner, this mode of transportation has been restricted to the realm of science-fiction due to the complexity of the drivetrain required and the training that would be needed to operate such a vehicle.
Now, a company called Terrafugia has put forward their vision for a practical flying car. Using electric-gasoline hybrid technology from the cutting edge of the automobile industry and autopilot technology adopted from the aviation industry, the company thinks they have what's needed to bring a flying car to the mass market.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Wonder what the insurance premiums will be for this...
I want one!
TF-X™ is a fixed wing street-legal aircraft with electric ground drive and electric power assist on takeoff and landing.
TF-X™ will be able to recharge its batteries either from its engine or by plugging in to electric car charging stations.
TF-X™ will be capable of “auto-landing” at approved landing sites within approved weather limits.
Prior to departure, the operator selects a primary target landing zone and backup landing zones. If the TF-X™ calculates insufficient energy on board to conduct last minute aborts at the first two sites and safely navigate to and land at the third within a 30 minute reserve, or if the forecast weather in any of the three landing zones would be outside the allowable limits, or if any of the selected landing zones are in temporarily restricted airspace (TFRs), departure will not be allowed until appropriate landing zones are selected.
If manual operation (sightseeing) or changing weather causes the second backup landing zone to fall outside the range of the limits, the operator will be notified and prompted to select new landing zones within the new restrictions.
The TF-X™ operator will have final say over whether an approved landing zone is actually a safe place in which to land, and they may abort the landing attempt at any time.
Aborting the third landing at the end of an extended flight would result in the automatic declaration of an emergency and a horizontal (airplane-like) landing at the nearest airport.
Normal TF-X™ operations will be conducted only in non-tower controlled airspace (Class E and G) and on the ground. Operators who wish to operate in tower controlled airspace (Class B, C, or D) can get additional training.
Licensed TF-X™ operators will be allowed to apply to add new landing zones to an approved landing zone database.
TF-X™ will advise the operator if they are approaching restricted or tower-controlled airspace, or unnecessarily increasing the risk to human life (as could happen through carelessness, bad intentions, or if the operator becomes incapacitated). If the operator does not take the appropriate corrective action, the TF-X™ vehicle will automatically notify authorities by “declaring an emergency” on behalf of the operator.
Development of TF-X™ is expected to last 8-12 years. If you wish to be one of the first to own a TF-X™ vehicle, consider reserving a Transition® today. The Transition® will be delivered long before the TF-X is ready, and as loyal Terrafugia customers, Transition® buyers will be given the option to purchase TF-X vehicles before the rest of the public. The knowledge and experience you gain as a Transition® owner will help prepare you for TF-X™, and your feedback on our first product will help us craft the second.
http://www.terrafugia.com/tfx-vision
Fat wings equal slow cruise speed.
RE: I want one!
$148,000 today. You must be a rich man !!
I hate to say it but this thing will never get certified for use on roads because there’s no way the rear can meet the safety standards for rear impact.
Is there a way to classify a vehicle so the safety requirements match that of a motorcycle?
I think I read about these flying cars in Popular Mechanics magazines from the early 50’s.
I’d like to see the controls, rudder pedals are also the brakes. The throttle is the same for the engine and elect drive?
Supposedly the new model does not require the usual pilot training and can land itself.
This is really cool.
I started thinking about, do you need a pilots license, will the low flying sky become crowed, how long does it take for a full charge, does it use air fuel or ?....
These will be worked out, just wondering as I figure out when I could afford to buy one.
I’m sure it is possible they creatively weave through the rules somehow or use a special classification, but they’re calling it a car and it does have four wheels....
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