from youtube
There was for a time about half a century ago when science fiction writers and artists had visualized the 21st century as a fantastic future. Certainly a far cry from our current woes in politics and the economy, people 50 years ago guessed of the year 2000 as this marvellous place where all this great technology existed and our world appeared to be a utopian wonderland with moving sidewalks and … flying cars.
Popular science fiction of the 50s and 60s described a typical car that human would own or rent that had no visible means of flight but could simply lift off the ground. On the other end of the spectrum there was the feeling of some fantastic looking vehicle was more like a spaceship on wheels.
Whatsoever edition of the flying vehicle most are acquainted with, it beame clear that by the early 90s, the truth of what was once expected was no closer than a device that could teleport you from one place to the next. Comments like, “Where are the flying cars, moon colonies, floating cities moving, sidewalks jetpacks?” became the mantra of comedians and anyone from the post WWII generation that raised reading science fiction.
Even if we had flying cars in 2008 would they be practical?
• Seeing the instability of gas prices one would have to assume that fuel for a personal airborne vehicle would have to be at least double the cost of regular unleaded gas.
• Regulation of the airways, speed limits and flying routes would seem to be a logistical nightmare. Think requiring to have the level of sophistication that air traffic controllers use except for the millions of cars that currently exist.
• Car dealers, auto transport companies and rental car companies would have to produce new systems and structures for sales, shipping costs and rental rates. Think about the new procedure for picking up a rental car at the airport.
• Would every eligible aged driver have to acquire pilot licenses?
Are all Hope Lost for the Personal Air Vehicle?
Yes and no. Believe it or not there are companies out there seeking to make this one time fantasy a truth. One such company, Terrafugia, has a working design called The Transition. This vehicle, with retractable wings is designed to carry two people on one tank of premium unleaded gas and will be geared for 100 – 500 mile jumps. As far as other details like how to drive it, how high off the ground it will actually “fly” and cargo room, the company has solutions for that too. So technically with a 1/5 scale model and computer simulations, their flying car is – possible. Whether or not they’ll really make their entry in our time? That question will be answered around the time you order your first jetpack online.
Tags: floating cities moving, Flying Cars, moon colonies, sidewalks jetpacks, typical car, wonderland