Flying Cars: No Longer Science Fiction
In science fiction movies we often see the depiction of a flying car, a car that has become a part of people's imaginations when they envision the future. Believe it or not, scientific innovation and research have turned the flying car from a figment of our imagination to a reality. Terrafugia Inc. said Monday that its flying car prototype completed its first flight. The car, named the Transition, flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes. The wings fold down on the car so that it can be driven regularly on the road as well. The car is expected to cost a whopping $279,000 dollars upon its release and about a hundred people have already laid down a $10,000 deposit. An owner of the Transition would need to pass a test and complete 20 hours of flying before obtaining a license to drive the car. To add to the benefits, the car gets as much as 35 mpg on the road, however it can only reach speed of about 70 mph.
Terrafugia has high hopes for the Transition, but the question still remains if flying cars could ever be a profitable enterprise. As we look into the future most are hoping for vehicles that will not rely on oil and gasoline. The flying car introduces an incredible convenience to buyers because they could fly instead of drive long distances for less money and time than traveling on an airline because of the skyrocketing gas prices. Later this week, the Transition will be introduced to the public at a New York Auto Show and Terrafugia is hoping to establish themselves as a viable company in the automotive world. The future is now.
http://news.yahoo.com/flying-car-gets-closer-reality-test-flight-2113079...
Comments
Flying cars and fuel
"As we look into the future most are hoping for vehicles that will not rely on oil and gasoline." I both agree and disagree with that. Here is something that will blow your mind, my grandfather on my mothers' side, he invented unleaded gasoline. He did it because of the cost of leaded fuel, and it lasted for a reasonable period. Then from the the 1970's until 1990's, leaded gasoline was phased out. So back to what you said. The challenging part is, how will the vehicle run for quite a while if gas isn't in use. I have heard that vehicles that run on battery and gas have a much brighter future that vehicles powered by electricity alone. It is true that it would save money "not relying on oil and gasoline" all though, it wouldn't last for long. Now you might notice what I'm getting at, that it will be a couple of years till we manage to do what you posted about not using oil or gas.
I think flying cars would be
I think flying cars would be pretty sweet if you ask me. It seems like with the technology that we have that flying cars should come our way soon. However it seems like the cars are rather expensive and only the rich would be able to afford them. Only time can tell if flying cars will fly into the future.