It IS the Daily Mail so I don't really trust these things, but hey, it's another one to criticize and prod at.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2784298/Finally-The-flying-car-really-coming-road-sky-near-you.html?ito=social-facebook

 

"The AeroMobil can fly 430 miles on a tank of petrol - and when its wings fold down, it'll fit into a normal parking space."

 

What a sales pitch huh? IMO, until we can integrate VTOL into such a small platform as a reasonably-sized car, these hybrids will really only be good as a status symbol. I mean, where are you gonna get the runway to take off? I know I don't usually have 1000-1500 extra feet of free space whenever I drive, and there's no way I get to 90. And where would you go with a flying car? Another airport? Dreams will never die...

 

 

And where would you go with a flying car? Another airport?

 

That's where I'd go: drive to my local, fly the bulk of my journey and drive away from the destination field. It's either that or rent a long term parking spot at the local field and pick up a hire car at the destination.

 

I do wonder, though, how often I'd have to fly just to break even.

Here in AZ, if you're careful you can get to 90 on the freeway and then fly away...

I will eat my hat if I am wrong BUT that looks completely fake to me!

 

Edit: There is no question about it in my mind that is FAKE. First of all I am sure looking that thing that weights and balance with those wings would be way off. And there is no way that those wings would carry something that would generate the drag that thing would.

 

Another edit: LOL it is real but the photos certainly look altered to me. There is a video on their web-site:

http://www.aeromobil.com/

 

However it looked to me like it really struggled to get the ground and like it wasn't happy in the air. Looked like a short test flight to me. Up and down in a straight line.

However it looked to me like it really struggled to get the ground and like it wasn't happy in the air. Looked like a short test flight to me. Up and down in a straight line

 

I'll agree with you in that one. The takeoff looked...babied, and just the way it sat in the air looked weird.

One comment I read about this 'flying car' is that the design isn't quite ready since the wings fold into the rear seat passenger's space...

 

...which kinda makes being a passenger um, uncomfortable...

I think it basically has 2 sets of wings! The elevator is generating considerably more lift than a conventional design thus moving the centers of lift back on the longitudinal axis. The takeoff was very flat looking and it looked like a struggle to get the noise up. I speculate of course.

 

I wonder how bad the landing they edited out was? The video cut to a ground camera just before just when you would expect to see a flare and if as I suspect its hard to get the nose up you have to wonder.

 

A friend of mine does however have a home build the is not all that far removed from that design but the name of it escapes me and He certainly wouldn't call it a car.

 

Can see the flying car being a reality for a very long time if ever. Driverless car first! We already have pilotless planes. Then Driverless/Pilotless Car-plane.

 

Driving and flying are two different species. By comparison there is virtually nothing to driving and virtually anyone can do. There is a lot to flying and staying current

"Flying cars" will never become practical until we invent anti-gravity and reactionless drive technology. :ph34r:

This one discussed here a couple months ago is a better design IMO.  It also looks a whole lot safer in the air to me.  The AeroMobil appears to be underpowered and flying right on the edge of the stability envelope.

 

And yes, it looks like it would fit in the parking space of a bread truck or a '59 Cadillac, but not most of today's cars.

Without bumpers it won't be driving on any US highway. 

 

Ooops fender bender in a parking lot....well it's not airworthy anymore now all your left with is the worlds dumbest looking car.

 

There is no practical reality for this kludge.

Good Post, Slayer... I totally agree. B)

Eh. The guys credentials look impressive. And he has a dream he's going after. I admire that.

 

If people were discouraged just because others doubted them, I imagine a lot of historical and current innovation would ever get or have gotten done.

 

And I'm always astounded when I think of all these various flying car inventors must have to go through to actually reach a working prototype.

Eh. The guys credentials look impressive. And he has a dream he's going after. I admire that.

 

If people were discouraged just because others doubted them, I imagine a lot of historical and current innovation would never get or have gotten done.

 

And I'm always astounded when I think of all these various flying car inventors must have to go through to actually reach a working prototype.

Corrected.

I wonder what your Nationwide agent would have to say?

See problem here these cars will take off to fly around speed traps hurting local revenue streams.