RSS
Home
The Flying Car
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
America in the 1940's and 1950's witnessed a technological explosion that escalated exponentially with each passing moment. World War II accelerated arms production and technology to strained limits as each warring power attempted to gain the ultimate advantage. These decades saw the dawn of the jet age and the paradox of nuclear fission. In the post war years the "sound barrier" was broken by Chuck Yeager in the Bell X-1. He also shattered any shred of humility that he had left in the process. The only thing that immeasurably outpaced scientific breakthrough was the world of fantasy created by the science fiction writers of the age. Driven by the dreams of the past, the potential for almost any technological idea seemed limitless.
The personal flying vehicle has been thoughtfully considered by many minds throughout history. Leonardo Da Vinci drew detailed plans for a glider and a human powered helicopter known as the "air screw." Yes...He really called it that. Even earlier than that, a man in 6th century China named Yuan Huangtou was launched in a kite that was built to carry a man. The unfortunate aviation pioneer was forced against his will to jump from the Tower of the Golden Phoenix. Surprisingly, he managed to land safely. Even though he survived the historic flight, Huangtou was later executed. It appears that 6th century China did not have the same regard for test pilots that we do today.
The notion of a hybrid between a car and an airplane was sometimes seen in popular culture during the 40's and 50's. Everyone was buying a car. With the increase in sales came the unavoidable gridlock on the roads. Angry innovators looked skyward for the answer. One manufacturer actually turned the flying car concept into a reality. Moulton Taylor began work on the Aerocar in 1946 and by 1949 the aircraft flew its first flight. It had wings that would sweep back on the ground to convert it into a car. It was ultimately unsuccessful and only a few models were sold. To learn more about the Aerocar click on this link to the EAA website: Taylor Aerocar
The Terrafugia company in Woburn, Massachusetts is now reviving the concept with their Transition aircraft. The aircraft is built to be able to use both the existing airspace and roadway structures. Accordingly, you still have to have a pilot's license to fly it and a drivers license to drive it. The good news is that you can flip off the overpriced rent a car company as you leave the airport in your Transition car. If you buy the Transition, you have the benefit of taking your car everywhere you travel. It is too bad that taking off from the freeway will probably land you in jail. You still have to use airports to take to the air. To find out about the Terrafugia Transition click on this link: The Transition
When most of us think of a flying car, we imagine a vehicle that is parked in your driveway. You should be able to step outside of your house and jump into your flying car with minimal trouble. With the push of the button you set a course to buy a 99 cent burrito. The car does all the flying and you sit back and watch the landscape go by while wondering why David Bowie had such a widespread appeal. What the hell was Ziggy Stardust? You can ponder this critical question while the car figures out the best way to land in the Taco Bell parking lot. Thank you magic flying burrito machine!
The company Moller International has been developing the M400 which aims to satisfy the above notion of the flying car. The M400 has a planned vertical takeoff and landing capability and impressive performance specifications on paper. The only problem is that the M400 has only completed a hover test to date. In that hover test the M400 was tethered to a crane for insurance purposes. The Moller company has had difficulty with the concept from the start. They have encountered a wide variety of problems such as cost overruns and broken deadlines. The website is interesting to view, but I am skeptical of the manufacturer's claims. The concept of the Rotapower engine is especially intriguing though. Anyone with an interest in engines will enjoy learning about this type of powerplant. Whether the M400 is a viable concept or just a multimillion dollar tether ball still remains to be seen. It seems that the technology required to make it function reliably is still years away. The link for the Moller International Company is here: Moller M400
Many modern innovations have made some of the wilder predictions of the 40's and 50's look conservative. Almost everyone has a cell phone and a personal computer. Using GPS navigation, we can determine our location within an certainty of just a few feet. This allows for an accurate estimate of how long it will take you to walk from your couch to the refrigerator. An entire record store can be held in the palm of your hand in the form of an iPod. Everyone has a flat screen TV and a microwave oven. You can view photographs of celebrities right after their unexpected wardrobe malfunction on the internet. Overall, it beats being Amish (even though their butter is superior).
The true flying car that can takeoff and land on your driveway remains elusive. For the concept to work, it requires a computer autonomy that is generations away. The computer will have to problem solve and deal with the complexities of operations in the unpredictable human world. It will have to think like a human mind. The concept of computer autonomy is currently in use in military drones to a limited extent, but it has not yet filtered into civilian life.
Technology continues its unstoppable march past the barriers of imagination. The way we use computers will be totally different in another 50 years. People will trust computers in ways that are not conceivable now. It is perhaps in that day that the flying car will triumph at last.
Related Articles:
Comments
