What do you want in a flying car?

[Lindley]

Not impossible, although most small aircraft are not operated at their optimum fuel efficiency. They need a lot of power available for climbs (and even more if you want VTOL), and so while far less power is required in cruise, having it available means people tend to fly them faster than the airspeed corresponding to best fuel utilization.

Of course, aircraft fuel efficiency is computed in gallons per hour (or the equivalent metric units), not mpg, because wind is a factor.

 

[RandyS]

A removable driver seat so I can put my wheelchair in it's place. Hand controls so I don't have to use my legs like I had in my old pickup. Warp engines, and phasers.

 

[SPCTRE]

We're about 85%-90% of the way to the driver only theoretically/legally being in charge of the car already. Tie in already-existing GPS navigation with traffic re-routing and you're not far off being able to cede full control. Technologically, we could probably do it very well within 5 years. Moving flying cars around without collisions is probably a much more straightforward task than doing it on the ground, and we're already letting our cars do it on the ground without the law really realising it.

True. In terms of reliably working prototypes we're already there actually.

 

[Tan Ru]

I want it to be able to fold itself up and fit in my briefcase so that I can take it into the office with me.

 

[Lindley]

Inflatable technology, got it. I'll notify Doctor Schlock.

 

[B.J.]

^Nah, Spacely's Sprockets would be a better bet.

 

[scotpens]

What do I want in a flying car?

Judy Jetson. She’s cute.

We're about 85%-90% of the way to the driver only theoretically/legally being in charge of the car already. Tie in already-existing GPS navigation with traffic re-routing and you're not far off being able to cede full control. Technologically, we could probably do it very well within 5 years.

They can take control of my car away from me when they pry the steering wheel and the gearshift from my cold, dead hands!

 

[Captain Ice]

I don't care if it looks like crap and gets s**tty gas mileage, so long as it allows me to never sit in traffic on Rt 128 in Boston again.

Yeah, but think about how much worse traffic is going to get when you add a vertical element to it.

 

[Lindley]

I don't care if it looks like crap and gets s**tty gas mileage, so long as it allows me to never sit in traffic on Rt 128 in Boston again.

Yeah, but think about how much worse traffic is going to get when you add a vertical element to it.

That actually helps quite a bit. Different directions would be held at different altitudes (typically 1000 feet separation), but there's still multiple altitudes available for every direction. Besides, it's not like you can stop up there. Holding patterns are a pain, of course.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I know what I don't want in a flying car, that's about 90% of the people I see in regular cars.

They can't frickin' drive a regular car, there's no way they could manage a flying one.

 

[RJDiogenes]

We're about 85%-90% of the way to the driver only theoretically/legally being in charge of the car already. Tie in already-existing GPS navigation with traffic re-routing and you're not far off being able to cede full control. Technologically, we could probably do it very well within 5 years.

They can take control of my car away from me when they pry the steering wheel and the gearshift from my cold, dead hands!

Personally, I can't wait. I'd rather sit back and read or something.

 

[SPCTRE]

What do I want in a flying car?

Judy Jetson. She’s cute.

SafeSearch on, dude. SafeSearch on.

 

[JRS]

I think limited altitude would be maybe a good idea, I mean we would not want people zipping around skyscrapers..or crashing accidentally to a 747 up in the air.
Limited speed is also necessary, I mean they cant fly as fast as fighter jets..or something like that
Also some sort of device that prevents the usage of the aircar when the driver is intoxicated.

 

[Holdfast]

What do I want in a flying car?

Judy Jetson. She’s cute.

Probably does freaky things with that prehensile-looking ponytail of hers too...

We're about 85%-90% of the way to the driver only theoretically/legally being in charge of the car already. Tie in already-existing GPS navigation with traffic re-routing and you're not far off being able to cede full control. Technologically, we could probably do it very well within 5 years.

They can take control of my car away from me when they pry the steering wheel and the gearshift from my cold, dead hands!

As long as you have the option to take over manual control, I'm cool with it. I like thrashing my car down country roads, but would happily cede control in a traffic jam.

 

[Lindley]

I think limited altitude would be maybe a good idea, I mean we would not want people zipping around skyscrapers..or crashing accidentally to a 747 up in the air.

Unless your car is pressurized, you don't want to take it much over 10000 feet anyway (half that at night). It also depends on the type of propulsion; normally aspirated engines won't get you much above 12000 anyway.

FAA regulations also probit operations below 500 feet near cities, except in the normal course of takeoff or landing. Also, all flight above 18000 must be on an IFR flight plan controlled by ATC.

Limited speed is also necessary, I mean they cant fly as fast as fighter jets..or something like that

The two factors controlling speed are engine horsepower and structural tolerances. Many small planes are designed for well under 200 knots. Outrunning fighters is not likely to even be a possibility.

Also some sort of device that prevents the usage of the aircar when the driver is intoxicated.

The maximum BAL for flying is 0.04% (half that for driving), and no alcohol at all within 8 hours. However, while avoiding intoxicated flight is great, it isn't enough. The latest research shows that fatigue affects reflexes and decision-making in almost the same way as intoxication.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'd be fine with it just being totally automated.

 

[scotpens]

What do I want in a flying car?

Judy Jetson. She’s cute.

SafeSearch on, dude. SafeSearch on.

Yes, I'm quite familiar with Rule 34, thank you.

 

[arch101]

I don't care if it looks like crap and gets s**tty gas mileage, so long as it allows me to never sit in traffic on Rt 128 in Boston again.

Of course not, you'll be hovering in traffic above Rt 128 in Boston.

You're probably right. we could go all the way up to LEO and this area would probably ALWAYS be congested.

 

[a fearsome grue]

transparent HUD with speed, altitude and a line showing my path to where I'm going. Oh, and a DS9 style interface.

 

[Captain Ice]

What do I want in a flying car?

Judy Jetson. She’s cute.

SafeSearch on, dude. SafeSearch on.

Yes, I'm quite familiar with Rule 34, thank you.

Yeah, but you forgot about Rule 31.