Are we ready for this? Terrafugia's TF-X brings flying cars closer to reality (no airport needed)

2015-07-31T10:37:16-04:00

The TF-X — unveiled at AirVenture, an aviation industry gathering in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, last week — is called the TF-X and uses battery-powered rotor blades to lift off and moves into forward flight using a gasoline-powered propeller-like fan for thrust. It carries four people and cruises at 200 mph and flies to a destination that the driver punches into its navigation system.

http://www.today.com/money/terrafugias-tf-x-brings-flying-cars-closer-reality-no-airport-t35586

Forget driverless cars: Flying vehicles are almost here

Terrafugia has been working on flying-car projects for a decade and has revealed a design that takes off vertically — eliminating the need for airports.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jul 31 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-07-31T10:44:35-04:00

You actually do need an airport if you want to fly it.

You don't need a hangar, and you won't have to pay an airport to store it.

But unless you have a runway to take it off and land it, you'll have a tough time.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 31 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-07-31T10:59:12-04:00

Way so not yet! LEOs can't handle traffic enforcement on the ground let alone in the air. Flying Under the Influence, I can see it all unraveling now!! :-)

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-07-31T11:08:44-04:00

Put these out in an open carry state, and some slack jawed yokels are going to get into dogfights in the air. Heaven help us.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 31 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-07-31T11:51:38-04:00

Interesting concept. The Jetsons become a reality.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 31 at 2015 11:55 AM

2015-07-31T11:55:08-04:00

Interesting idea but the amount of lift surfaces are way too low for horizontal powered flight. The "lifting body" concept doesn't work at low speeds either. The space shuttle had a low speed glide ratio of 4.5 which is slightly worse than a helicopter in auto rotation.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 31 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-07-31T12:24:43-04:00

I'm not sure that I want to see this come to pass. Think about it the next time you're driving on the freeway or caught in the morning or evening "rush". Then imagine elevating all that traffic about one thousand feet or more. Hmmm.... No, thanks. I don't want to spend the remainder of my life hiding under bridges and in bomb shelters. Oh, and don't argue that it will all be automated "for safety". Have you seen the accident reports on those "smart cars", the ones that drive themselves?