DIY Electric Car Forums banner

Aviation, Drones, and Flying Cars next 50 years.

8K views 183 replies 8 participants last post by  Electric Land Cruiser 
#1 ·
Sky Cloud Photograph Vehicle Light
Sky Aircraft Aviation Bell boeing v-22 osprey Aerospace manufacturer
Sky Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive design


This is a new form to discuss where is the world is going in the Next 50 years pertaining to the skies and Air Traffic.

In todays fast paced world of chaos, confusion, traffic jams, and heavy traffic both on the highway, lets consider this all merging in the air and on the ground. Who is going to monitor all of this control this or police this. This thread is being opened for a friendly approach to this new situation. Almost every country is in the process of developing their own version of the Jetson private electric car. to have theirs ready to go Sweden is almost ready to go. Starting at 92 K is pretty hefty but they have plenty of back orders at this time from California to Europe the first 12 are already ordered.
Drones have already created problems for Air Traffic, The FAA is constantly changing the rule and regulation in that area. Drones are not toys although it is easy to confuse this situation. Every Christmas thousands of drones are sold for the personal enjoyment of the consumer. How many of those do not realize to legally operate one in the United States you need to be licesed tested and regulated with the rest of the avaition traffic to safeguard the lives of everyone concerned.
Now how are we going to merge Airplanes, drones, and flying cars coming and going, landing and taking off with hundreds and thousands of all of these operating anywhere in the world. This is the basis for this form now Who is going to be the first to jump in start talking. Lets have some open friendly conversation here no right or wrong answers here.
From the Colorado High Country
thank you, Hank
 
See less See more
3
#2 ·
Not going to happen for anybody but those already using helicopters to commute to work. This is a 1%er's problem -- people who already have excessively large carbon footprints.

This planet is doomed if we encourage shitty forms of transportation for the masses, like drone-based aviation, where huge amounts of scarce energy are used to merely establish an altitude (fixed wing at least recruits potential energy and can glide). Responsible and ethical engineering practice means saying no to the morons who push this crap.

I also don't see any flying cars in your pictures. Most people can't drive in 2D, let alone 3D.
 
#8 ·
It is on my long list of things to build something similar to that Jetson. For fun, and for fabrication practice. There is no way these things will be anything but recreational vehicles, kind of like dune buggies and quads today. Even if we get a breakthrough in battery tech doubling or better tripling the specific energy, there is still the issue of noise - small props are extremely noisy. Now like was stated earlier, electrification for the fixed wing aviation is quite viable, especially for recreational and short-distance commercial. I believe there is a company in Vancouver BC that is currently trying that.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for your input on this but my vote is not in as far as the useful and practicality that these type of vehicles might achieve towards I know there is aa New York company planning on re-doing the New York Cab system with flying Taxis. I personally live in the high country in Colorado on a hill and plow about two blocks of snow every time we get 2 or more inches on my quad, in the summertime t is used as a workhorse on my .5 acre property for forest projects, gardening projects, and basic home maintenance. So I guess I am not the right guy to discuss the value of a quad with. Yes you are correct in the electric airplane department underway, I believe Cessna has successfully made a working Cessna Caravan electric plane as well as other companies. Here is something I have personally been monitoring for the past five years: Terrafugia Transition if you have time and would like to see something really cool, Google this and report back to me sometime about this.. I will highlight this craft on this Forum but I really would like your opinion on this one.
Thank you again have a great night.
Hank


Sky Snow Slope Larch Tree
Wheel Tire Aircraft Vehicle Airplane
Cloud Sky Vehicle Aircraft Monoplane
 
#11 ·
Sky Aircraft Airplane Monoplane Propeller
. More to come about this in a later issue, please enjoy HANK


Here's when New Yorkers might be riding around in electric flying taxis
Joby Aviation made a splash at the NYSE by unveiling an electric aerial ridesharing

Not replacing taxis no, but adding to the nightmare already in new york. Going from Piers and rooftops similar to helicopter service now, easier faster and a whole bunch faster

Enjoy,
HANK
 
#13 ·
There will be no flying cars. Electric helicopters sure, but not flying cars.

The spinning propellers or whatever needed to lift it off the ground makes it just as noisy and windy as a traditional helicopter, so you won't just land them at work parking lot.

The big disruption I see coming is a large growth in the popularity of home made flying contraptions using drone technology.

I come from the drone/UAV world and the FAA is still playing catch-up. Drones took them by surprise and they had no clue what to do. The same thing will happen with homemade flying contraptions. Some one will build one and fly it to work and cause a huge legal drama.

Autonomous cars, flying cars, and drone delivery are the three things that have pulled in billions and billions of dollars of investment and all they have to show for it is a couple Tesla's driving around jerky as hell and come CGI renderings of drones delivering on rooftops. It's vaporware.
 
#14 ·
Ok Mr. Electric Land Cruiser,
Here is an example I think, what you were talking about, more or less Homemade and allegedly Autonomous. Hank
SKYCAR® 400
Four passenger VTOL aircraft
Skycar® 400
The Skycar® 400 is the 5th generation of VTOL aircraft developed by Dr. Paul Moller and is now in the “operational prototype” stage. The Skycar® combines the high-speed capabilities of a fixed wing aircraft with the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter. Its ducted fans provide lift and propulsion without the dangers of exposed rotor blades and high maintenance costs of rotary-winged aircraft. The vehicle employs state-of-the-art fly-by-wire computer technology to monitor, control, and maintain stability of the aircraft, while simultaneously making it simple and easy to operate.
In the future, passengers will not be required to fly the aircraft, as the Skycar® will be an autonomous aircraft utilizing advanced onboard environment scanning and precise positioning systems, the highway-in-the-sky (HITS) and automated air traffic control in order to fly between destinations and avoid other air-traffic.
Skycar® 400 Targeted Performance

VTOL Configuration Four thrust-vectoring nacelles with two counter-rotating Rotapower® engines per nacelle. Hybrid design configurations are currently under development
Passengers 2+2
Emergency Airframe Parachutes Yes
Fuel Type Ethanol
Noise Level at 500ft (Goal) 65 dBA
Dimensions (L x W x H) 21.5’ x 8.5’ x 7.5’
Operational ceiling 36,000 ft
Takeoff and landing area 35 ft dia
Max speed @sea-level 331 mph
Cruise Max speed @20,000 ft 308 mph
Rate of climb @sea-level 4,800 fpm
Endurance 5.9 hours
Disc loading 140 lb/ft2
Range @ 131 mph (21.3 mpg) 805 miles
Net payload 720 lbs
Gross weight 2,400 lbs
Continuous Engine Power (Total) 720 hp
Maximum Lift/Drag 12.5



Cloud Sky Pink Vehicle Art
Sky Tree Aviation Propeller Vehicle
Sky Automotive design Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Wheel
Water Sky Nature Aircraft Cloud
 
#18 ·
Ok Mr. Electric Land Cruiser,
Here is an example I think, what you were talking about, more or less Homemade and allegedly Autonomous. Hank
SKYCAR® 400
Four passenger VTOL aircraft
Skycar® 400
The Skycar® 400 is the 5th generation of VTOL aircraft developed by Dr. Paul Moller and is now in the “operational prototype” stage. The Skycar® combines the high-speed capabilities of a fixed wing aircraft with the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter. Its ducted fans provide lift and propulsion without the dangers of exposed rotor blades and high maintenance costs of rotary-winged aircraft. The vehicle employs state-of-the-art fly-by-wire computer technology to monitor, control, and maintain stability of the aircraft, while simultaneously making it simple and easy to operate.
In the future, passengers will not be required to fly the aircraft, as the Skycar® will be an autonomous aircraft utilizing advanced onboard environment scanning and precise positioning systems, the highway-in-the-sky (HITS) and automated air traffic control in order to fly between destinations and avoid other air-traffic.
Skycar® 400 Targeted Performance


VTOL Configuration Four thrust-vectoring nacelles with two counter-rotating Rotapower® engines per nacelle. Hybrid design configurations are currently under development
Passengers 2+2
Emergency Airframe Parachutes Yes
Fuel Type Ethanol
Noise Level at 500ft (Goal) 65 dBA
Dimensions (L x W x H) 21.5’ x 8.5’ x 7.5’
Operational ceiling 36,000 ft
Takeoff and landing area 35 ft dia
Max speed @sea-level 331 mph
Cruise Max speed @20,000 ft 308 mph
Rate of climb @sea-level 4,800 fpm
Endurance 5.9 hours
Disc loading 140 lb/ft2
Range @ 131 mph (21.3 mpg) 805 miles
Net payload 720 lbs
Gross weight 2,400 lbs
Continuous Engine Power (Total) 720 hp
Maximum Lift/Drag 12.5



View attachment 129855 View attachment 129856 View attachment 129857 View attachment 129858
65 dBa at 500 feet (goal)

Yeah 👍 take that to work at 6AM see how it works out 😂
 
#15 ·
How old is the concept of an actual working flying car??? Personally i cannot answer that, but here is an example I am sure many of you are not aware of, Molten Taylor Aerocar made this and sold a few couples in the 1950's. Enjoy the video and please reply.




Hank
 
#17 ·
Moller's "Skycar" has always been a joke, and Moller has always claimed performance which could not be demonstrated. The big difference between the original of this series of "concepts" and current technology of VTOL craft is the shift from eight (yes, 8) Wankel-type engines to electric motors and a problematically heavy battery.

The idea of putting the word "car" in the name of these vehicles originally suggested that the vehicle can drive on a road or fly, which is always a terrible compromise. More recently, it tends to suggest instead that the vehicle can operate as a transportation appliance operated with a minimally skilled operator, which is a product of automated flight controls and denial of reality by those proposing these operations. In fact, there's nothing about a multicopter that is inherently more "car like" than an automated helicopter.
 
#21 ·
Here's how the governing bodies want to rule us when we mix drones and electric cars with general Aviation.

How the FAA will integrate rockets, drones, and flying cars into our sky
by Charlie Leocha | Feb 10, 2022 | drones, space

Established airspace has accommodated space travel for decades. Drones and flying cars, not so long.
Joby and SK Telecom announce they will work together to introduce emissions-free aerial ridesharing services in South Korea.
FAA, NASA, and the military have been working for decades on the development of rockets. Big military drones have been used for more than a decade to provide distant firepower for military action. Smaller unmanned aerial systems became prevalent around 2015. Flying cars have been around for decades, but only in cartoons. Today, they really exist.
Travelers United has worked with these new technologies since 2015. Our organization has kept pace with changes in the US space program that now is a major industry. Only 10 years ago, no one would have thought that rockets would take off and land to be reused. Drones were considered flying toys until FedEx, UPS, Amazon, and Google started delivery, surveying, and inspection operations. And the only flying taxis were imaginary. Today,
they all exist.


Rule, Rules, we all have to operate under all of this, Why can't we all just get along. Please respond, be safe and have a good day.

thank you Hank

Sky Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive design
Sky Aircraft Aviation Bell boeing v-22 osprey Aerospace manufacturer
Sky Cloud Photograph Vehicle Light


Sky Automotive tire Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive design
Sky Aircraft Aviation Bell boeing v-22 osprey Aerospace manufacturer
Sky Cloud Photograph Vehicle Light
 
#22 ·
Futurist nonsense that does not belong in the technical discussion section of this site. There's a bullshitting section - post this kind of stuff there.

Economics, need, and pragmatism determine whether a tech makes it in the market...not Sergey Brin upscaling a toy he got for Christmas.

Musk spends a lot of time putting lipstick on his pig. Rockets to Mars. Rockets from LA to Tokyo. Fueling these fantasies to his cult followers lets him get away with burning 1.8M pounds of fossil fuels, three times a day, to out up his internet in the sky monopoly. He recently called for deeper raiding of the strategic fuel reserve...fossil fuels. Mr Green Planet Tesla.

What does this all have to do with a technical discussion of electric cars or their components? Nothing.
 
#27 ·
Musk spends a lot of time putting lipstick on his pig. Rockets to Mars. Rockets from LA to Tokyo. Fueling these fantasies to his cult followers lets him get away with burning 1.8M pounds of fossil fuels, three times a day, to out up his internet in the sky monopoly. He recently called for deeper raiding of the strategic fuel reserve...fossil fuels. Mr Green Planet Tesla.
Well, you know I am a Musk fan :D So let's clarify this thing... The ultimate goal (as currently defined) is to fly the missions on the Starship, which is methane-powered, and which can be synthetically produced relatively easily. Elon has created the direct carbon capture challenge ($100M prize) in part to facilitate the creation of [better] tech for synthetic fuel production.

Now should the rocket scientists wait with the rocket development until better fuel sourcing is available ? It takes years to develop and perfect those machines. Also should rocket companies not engage in any rocket flying until better fuels are available ? Should the world not get better connectivity because the fuels aren't available ? There is a feedback loop in all of that.
 
#23 ·
More on the Regulatory or Governing body of controlling the skies chaos and confusion:

The development of flight can move quickly. Integration of technology takes time, planning, and unified regulation.
The development of flight and space technology has been taking place for dozens of years. Now it is racing forward at a pace faster than even futurists could have imagined. Six men who have been working intimately on space operations, drone deployment, and flying car development discussed a fuller use of our national airspace. They are exploring space, integrating drones, and figuring how to get vTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) taxis into operation. Within ten years these new entrants into our national air space (NAS) will fly back and forth to space and provide under-400-foot altitude inspections and delivery systems.
A panel that spoke at the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) annual meeting discussed the sky’s future. It included FAA executives Jay Merkle, Executive Director, Office of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, and Wayne Monteith, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. Col. Horne from the US Space Force participated. Greg Bowles from Joby Aviation and Michael Moses, president of Virgin Galactic, discussed the coming integration of our skies as well. Finally, Dr. Parimal Kopardekar of NASA (better known as PK) served as the moderator.
Our skies will host far more than only airplanes. Rockets, drones, and flying cars will also share the wild blue yonder.

Water Sky Nature Vehicle Rocket
Sky Aircraft Airplane Vehicle Tire
Vehicle Hood Automotive parking light Automotive lighting Automotive design
 
#24 ·
"technical discussion" is where you put this mess.

like:

"What size and type of motor is used in these cuz I wanna build one?"

This is mere bullshitting which belongs in the "lounge" part of the site, not under someone's nose looking for technical information to build one.

Get it?

Ditch the clutter, dude.
 
#25 ·
"technical discussion" is where you put this mess.
Actually, he put it in "EV News", but Bruce has made a several-decades-long obsession with categorizing, sorting, and archiving the world's history of EVs, putting out daily EV news bulletins. So he's always quick to report anything in EV News that's not strictly news (no discussion), and ask it to be moved elsewhere.

We don't have a just, casual EV discussion forum, so, my closest guess was to dump it here.

This is mere bullshitting which belongs in the "lounge" part of the site
Well, the Lounge part of the site is for non-EV discussion. People to talk about gas prices, the weather, non-EV car related stuff, etc. Doesn't belong there either, since it's specifically about EVs.
 
#28 ·
Here's a video of the first Certified Flying Car to get Certified us: Terrafugia Transition
Cloud Sky Vehicle Aircraft Monoplane



Meet the World’s 1st Flying Car to Get FAA Clearance for Takeoff
These roadable aircraft ideally have airplane and helicopter capabilities, along with software to make them easy for regular people to use. In addition, flying cars must meet road and safety standards to be street-legal.
The Terrafugia Transition: the 1st flying car cleared for takeoff by the FAA


Earlier this year, the FAA approved the first flying car, Robb Report reported. The car in question is the Transition “roadable aircraft.” Its maker, Terrafugia, is located in Massachusetts and owned by the Chinese corporation Geely, which also owns Volvo and Lotus. The FAA awarded the two-seater a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate.
Terrafugia described receiving the certificate as a “significant milestone,” according to the Robb Report. “This is a major accomplishment that builds momentum in executing our mission to deliver the world’s first practical flying car,” Kevin Colburn, general manager of Terrafugia, said. In addition to building the car, the company also developed 150 technical documents for the FAA assessment.

The Transition is already available as a plane, but there won’t be a street-legal version until 2022. The flying car will need to meet both the FAA’s and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s safety regulations. People who want to drive and fly the Transition will need a valid sport pilot certificate and driver’s license.
Although the Terrafugia Transition has a 27-foot wingspan, those wings fold up so the flying car can fit into a single-car garage. It resembles an airplane more than a car and still needs a runway for takeoff. It has a range of about 400 miles and a flight speed of about 100 mph. The flying car has a 100-hp Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine, according to Terrafugia. It runs on premium gasoline or 100LL airplane fuel. The car version will pack a hybrid-electric motor.
The Transition comes standard with “a Dynon Skyview avionics package, a BRS airframe parachute, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, airbags, [and] a rigid carbon-fiber safety cage that meets automotive standards.” The interior boasts luxury finishes with leather seats, and its shifter includes Park, Drive, and Fly selections.
What is the FAA, and what does it do?

“FAA” is short for “Federal Aviation Administration.” This agency regulates aviation in the United States. It’s in charge of registering aircraft, developing aircraft safety standards, creating air traffic rules, overseeing air traffic control, and investigating accidents.
The FAA also certifies foreign aircraft repair facilities and their mechanics. It shares aeronautical data and negotiates bilateral airworthiness agreements with other countries. In addition, the FAA licenses space launch facilities to private companies like SpaceX through its Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST).
Flying cars could help reduce commute times, decrease reliance on roads, and increase access to remote locations. The FAA is one of the government agencies charged with approving these new vehicles. The Terrafugia Transition has earned the FAA’s approval and now needs to meet the NHTSA’s requirements.



Hood Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive design Bumper





Next is a video of first Electric Car to be sold in the United States: PAL V from the Netherlands







TOMORROW'S POSTING "HERE THEY COME- GET READY": HANK'S TV THEORY TO ALL THIS,
please stay turned in:

Have a good day, thank you for signing in and following.
from the Colorado High Country.
thank you, Hank
 
#34 · (Edited)
Although the Terrafugia Transition has a 27-foot wingspan, those wings fold up so the flying car can fit into a single-car garage. It resembles an airplane more than a car and still needs a runway for takeoff. It has a range of about 400 miles and a flight speed of about 100 mph. The flying car has a 100-hp Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine, according to Terrafugia. It runs on premium gasoline or 100LL airplane fuel. The car version will pack a hybrid-electric motor.
I'll note that with the problem of trying to fit in both road wheels and propulsion plus wings and aero propulsion, the Transition is not electric at all. That Rotax is a very common aircraft engine; it's an air-cooled opposed 4-cylinder as is traditional for this segment of general aviation, but it's lighter than more traditional engines such as from Continental and Lycoming.

Edited portion:
The Transition was to have a complex mechanical drive system from the engine to the wheels, including a CVT (and shafts, and belts). The most recent material that I have found from Terrafugia is from over two years ago, and does include "Hybrid-electric motors for drive mode", with no further explanation.
 
#31 · (Edited)
The Terrafugia - like any Light Sport category craft - is a marginally useful aircraft. Like every other driving-flying thing, it's a terrible car and can't possibly meet safety standards, unless it is restricted to low-speed use (and then it can't be used on a highway). I'm impressed that they have made it work well enough to be allowed to fly under the Light Sport rules, but I wouldn't want one and it won't change the transportation world in any useful way.
 
#35 · (Edited)
Aircraft Aerostat Vehicle Sky Poster
Brown Television Wood Analog television Technology
Vehicle Sky Aircraft Military helicopter Rotorcraft
Wheel Tire Vehicle Automotive lighting Hood


"HERE THEY COME-ARE YOU READY": HANK'S TV THEORY TO ALL THIS ARE YOU READY, please stay turned in:
Here's my take on all of this: Recently I have been discussing to family and friends and all of you the topic
of
Aviation, Drones and Electric Cars. I
have allowed many of you to voice your opinions, I have shown examples of Flying cars that are certified, some are now being sold here in the United States. I have gotten a lot of opinions both good and contrary. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinion here to speak clearly. i try to maintain a professional demeanor when conducting talks on this thread.
Some of the statements received stated this is all a fantasy it can't or won't happen, to expensive, lots of reasons, which all make since and need to be listened too.

, the had a lot of critics and failure's
Now I shall explain my "TV Theory" lets all look at where television has come from and beyond. First appeared in 1927, several different people claimed to have invented it. in late 1949-1950 The first networks were invented and by the 1950's people started putting black and white TV's in their homes. We had one of the popular TVs back then a Sylvania Halo screen B & W tv. Fast forward here color TV's are now possible and affordable and by today you can get a multitude of features and sizes in them. "Who has a B&W tv Today'
Okay A similar thing happened at the start of Aviation. The Wright Brothers started off in 1903, they had a lot of critics as well as equipment failures before they got it "WRIGHT" "RIGHT" (sorry i like puns". If it wasn't for them then how would we have drones on mars today . It took a lot of people, a lot of money, and perseverance. But it happened.
The same thing can happen here remember what this topic included a fifty year time element. Their is a author JD Robb that writes a book series about "====in Death" titles which allegedly takes place in 2050, not so far from now. in that series they talk about businesses owned and operated on other planets, vacations on other planets. Just like today when we talk about a trip to Yellowstone of the Grand Canyon. So in todays world, Most of us realize it CAN HAPPEN, I say let it.

Have a good Day,
From the Colorado High Country,
Hank

Brown Television Wood Analog television Technology
Cloud Sky Mountain Travel Natural landscape
Cloud Sky Watercraft Boat Naval architecture
 

Attachments

#38 ·
The other thing people discount is the rate and possibility for innovation. They say "nobody thought X would be possible 50 years ago, yet here it is. So other things may be possible the same way..." Except the thing to remember is that modern innovation is achieved through extremely fast calculations, modelling and simulations. It is a relatively recent thing, but allows us to short-circuit many decades of trial and error to conclude that something isn't viable.
 
#50 ·
coming Next

Hey that's really cool too, does it come in Four wheel drive and has an 8 track, oh how about Sony Beta player???.
Here's my ride in reality: Hank

Tire Wheel Snow Vehicle Automotive tire




So far tonight received 10 inches of snow, be plowing in the morning.
Sorry got knocked offline for awhile major snowstorm here.
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top