| It's a bird. It's a plane. It's -- a flying car? Not since | | | | questions to be answered about noise levels, special |
| the red-lettered, blue bomber buzzed over Metropolis | | | | surface materials for takeoff and landing, and a spate |
| has such a fantasy captured the imagination of so | | | | of regulatory issues. These issues are possibly |
| many. In spite of our fascination with the concept, | | | | preventing Moller's Sky Car from becoming reality, |
| making a vehicle that can be certified by the FAA as | | | | yet there is mild sense that the world so hung up on |
| airworthy, and can be legally driven on highways, is a | | | | cost effective and green transportation just doesn't |
| complicated task. So complicated in fact, that as | | | | have the energy or desire to become taken by the |
| much as the idea of a flying car has been around for | | | | vision of the flying car. Perhaps one of the biggest |
| over half a century, no one has yet to crack through | | | | draw backs is the price tag. Moller's precursor to the |
| the many blocks in the way of it's advancement. Of | | | | Sky Car named the Volantor will be close to 100,000 |
| course this does not stop many engineers and | | | | dollars. |
| companies from trying. There are some dedicated | | | | Using more traditional flight techniques, some |
| and highly resourceful people beginning and in some | | | | developers are working on folded or retractable wing |
| cases nearing completion on the first consumer | | | | technology, like Milner Motors and Terrafugia, Ltd., |
| available flying car. | | | | and several manufacturers are looking at producing |
| How can they possibly work? | | | | kit planes as well. Although this does not have the |
| A number of companies are developing flying cars, or | | | | appeal of a Moeller Sky car, it might be a good |
| roadable aircraft, as aficionados call it, that have | | | | transitional phase in order to begin to lay the ground |
| integrated pieces carried in the vehicle, or modular | | | | work both governmentally and in the wider consumer |
| pieces left at the airport when the car is being driven. | | | | market for the possibility and reality of flying cars. |
| Others are looking at Vertical Take-Off and Landing | | | | Despite all the advancement in flying car technology |
| (VTOL). | | | | there remains many issues preventing the flying car |
| One very controversial aspect is how the take off | | | | from "taking off." |
| and landing will be accomplished. If you don't want to | | | | Infrastructure. |
| drive to your local airport, you'll need to utilize VTOL, | | | | In addition to crowded airports and vehicle storage |
| a flight technique used in military aircraft like the Bell | | | | issues, there are also legitimate questions like |
| Boeing V-22 Osprey and the British Hawker Harrier | | | | whether a pilot's license is required, difficulties with |
| Jump Jet. Moller International has a 4-seater SkyCar | | | | shared air space, traffic control, and costs. Most |
| in the development process, with a FFA airworthy | | | | important of all, a focus on innovation rather than |
| certified model planned in four plus years. Before | | | | green technology may not be acceptable to today's |
| you'll see one in your driveway, there are still | | | | eco-friendly conscious consumer. |