SkyCar - When?
Just wondering if the SkyCar (http://www.moller.com) will ever become a reality.?? I've been keeping my eye on this thing for the last 6 or 7 years, and it's starting to seem like a classic "vaporware" idea. The dates for launch seem to keep getting pushed further into the future every year. If it really came to be it seems like it would almost be the holy grail to personal transportation.
But now they're selling crazy stuff on their website such as life-extension-almond-butter, another endevour by Paul Moller so that he "can see the day that his SkyCar actually flies". WTF!?!?
But now they're selling crazy stuff on their website such as life-extension-almond-butter, another endevour by Paul Moller so that he "can see the day that his SkyCar actually flies". WTF!?!?
Comments
- they are expansive
- there is security problems : air collisions (no regulation like the one who exist for planes) and the level secure of the car itself
- waste of fuel (drains much more energy than cars).
2) They pose no greater security problem than does a cesna.
3) Moller's specs show that the SkyCar would consume about as much fuel as does my new Volvo!
Even if the reasons you mentioned were true none of them should be preventing Moller from at least having a prototype that will actually do what they claim it should do.
The main advantage I see with the SkyCar is the VTOL capability. So, if the SkyCare never really happens, maybe I can get the guys at www.viper-aircraft.com to build me a VTOL viper EVEN IF I NEED A LICENSE TO FLY THE THING!
Would you want one of those suckers landing on the driveway nextdoor?
Do you trust the neighbor to NOT land on your house... or your dog even?
Harrier Jets are infamous for being tough to land... this thing looks like a cheap one... doesn't make me feel confident.
I want the SPINNER from Bladerunner! Nothing less.
Originally posted by Powerdoc
Skycars are not for tomorrow for serverals reasons :
- they are expansive
- there is security problems : air collisions (no regulation like the one who exist for planes) and the level secure of the car itself
- waste of fuel (drains much more energy than cars).
1) how much does a nice foreign car cost in France? I know in Denmark there's a 250% VAT. Is that the case in other socialist EU nations? If so, a lot of cars on the market would cost more than a moeller.
2) If there are only a few, it won't be a problem for the time being, and even if there are a lot, basic radar can give the driver information that's a lot more complete than what road drivers get today.
3) Incorrect. A cessna can operate on a 65hp engine. The Moeller uses rotary engines, most likely identical to ones in the RX-8, a street car. If it has two of these engines and goes 250mph, that's not a waste of fuel.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
2) If there are only a few, it won't be a problem for the time being, and even if there are a lot, basic radar can give the driver information that's a lot more complete than what road drivers get today.
1) Moller is a wacky Canadian.
2) It doesn't fly...or at least it has shaky hovering capabilities at best.
He's been trying to get this craft working for DECADES.
Now the problem is a lightweight car that can sustain hovering and long distance (300-500 miles) flights.
Until some anti-gravity, or some other as yet undiscovered tech comes to fruition... it aint gonna happen.
Hmmm.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
1) how much does a nice foreign car cost in France? I know in Denmark there's a 250% VAT. Is that the case in other socialist EU nations?
You mean nice foreign cars like Volvo, Saab, Fiat, BMW, Mercedes, Rover, Fiat, Citroen etc right?
Will you PLEASE stop confusing EU nations with socialist countries? It makes you look like a twat and it bores us very much.
K, thnx.
Now back on topic.
Originally posted by Scott
Yea that thing is cool. Uses a big fan to go straight up.
One reason why Lockheed's design won out over Boeing's was because the Lockheed VTOL lift fan was basically separate from the main engine and the Boeing's was not.
It's a shame, because I dug the Boeing design. At least from the demo videos, the Boeing was a lot smoother in action.
Plenty of footage of both prototypes, a little Harrier history, and a great show.
Israel is working on a fly by wire too. Urbanaero