Flying Time

Drive It And Fly It – It’s The Car Of The Future

Flying cars – are they the future? Such vehicles actually exist today! Yes, that’s true! For several years this type of vehicle has been under development by various manufacturers.The current prototypes that some manufacturers are testing will be available before long.

Since you will have spent a fortune buying the flying vehicle, the cost of an appropriate car warranty will not be of concern. Information suggests that for about $300,000 you can buy what the FAA classifies as a “Light Sport Aircraft”. This is the cost of the basic entry level model and does not include any optional extras.

An airplane that can be driven on the roads has been developed by Terrafugia, a company in Massachusetts. This two seater can be made ready for the road in a mere 30 seconds. On the tarmac it can go 65mph and can cruise in the air at around 115mph. Refilling with fuel would be necessary, according to the manufacturers, every 400 miles.

Billed by the Terrafugia Company as a “Roadable Aircraft”, this vehicle has been named as The Transition. Putting the wings up or down can be done from inside the cockpit. It’s a rear wheel driven car with a cargo area that can accommodate golf clubs. You get in and out of the vehicle via car styled doors. If you feel the need for a full vehicle parachute, don’t worry – it’s available.

The mind reels at the thought of a car that can also take to the air. The idea of a car that could fly gave rise to some interesting questions. To pilot a “Light Sport Vehicle” you need accumulate a mere twenty hours of flying time.

In my opinion twenty hours – less than a full day – would not be enough. For someone who is already a pilot or has had some flying experience it would be fine. This time is not, however,enough for someone who has never flown. I know people who have been behind the wheel for years and still don’t know how to drive!

To get a motor vehicle licence you have to practise and then take a written and driving test. The same rules, no doubt, would have to apply to anyone driving or flying this hybrid vehicle. If the same rules do apply, what form would the test take? At the moment the volume of aerial car traffic is such (nil) that you should be able to cruise around fairly freely.

Traffic rules and regulations apply to anyone driving on the roads. Any contravention of one of these laws will result in your being given a ticket by a police officer. How does such a situation develop in the air? Does an officer get on a Public Announcement system and tell you to pull over at the next airport?

These new futuristic cars give a whole new meaning to an airbag. Speaking of safety – if driver and passenger had to wear parachutes in case of an emergency, I would think that would be mighty uncomfortable. According to the manufacturers of the Transition Roadable Aircraft you can buy a full vehicle parachute. My question is why wouldn’t it be a standard feature?

What happens if you get in a fender bender? How do you get the other vehicle’s insurance information? Would anyone bumping you be guilty of a “fly and run” rather than a “hit and run”? Gap insurance would be another requirement for such a vehicle. Presumably the plane (car) would also be subject to the usual car depreciation processes

These new concept vehicles are supposed to be powered by the same petrol that you put in your car. What use to the environment is putting such carbon dioxide producing vehicles into the air? The next question has to be about what you can do if you run out of fuel?

What follows are some of the thoughts I had on learning that flying cars were already on the market. The public won’t be buying these vehicles in large numbers for many years. When flying cars abound I just hope that every contingency has been thought of and catered for.

About the Author

Stephanie Andrew writes and publishes articles for SEO consultants ePage Solutions whose clients include Future 45 Ltd. – helping UK motorists save money on their gap insurance by buying direct from the insurer.