I met a guy who said there was a company was working on a Vertical Take Off and Landing car. They expected it to go into production at about $80,000. It would hold four. You could taxi to the nearest cul-de-sac, take off vertically, fly under computer control to your destination, land vertically and taxi to a parking spot. I asked him if the whole thing would fold up into a briefcase like the old Jetsons cartoon.

I assure you we weren't drinking at the time. So transportation experts, is this on the horizon or is it a pipe dream?

-- Frank Hemingway (pvtc@aol.com), January 24, 2000

Answers

I am not an EXPERT in VTOL technologies, but there are a few prototypes out there. With lighter composites, cheaper computers, and engines with high HP/pound, it is all technically feasible. Of course, that would require pilot's licenses and some significant changes in laws.

My GUESS is that this isn't going to happen anytime soon, anymore than helicopter commuting has become commonplace. Weather in the Puget Sound basin would be a significant problem for much of the year. Icing and fog are show-stoppers, even for helicopters.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 24, 2000.

Frank

Here's a web site on an outfit doing what your talking about.

http://www.moller.com/

Great looking car/plane if they get it working.

-- Ed (ed_bridges@yahoo.com), January 24, 2000.

I bet Craig and Ed read Popular Mechanics when they were young!

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 24, 2000.

Still do! Popular Science also. Used to be a guy in Longview by the name of "Molt" Taylor who had a street-legal car that would fly if you attached wings to it. But we were asked if a VTOL car was practical, not if it was possible. I'm afraid the answer to one question is different from the answer to the other.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 25, 2000.

When I was growing up, I always thought the 21st century was going to be an era of unlimited possibilities. I think the key for your vision would a source of virtually unlimited energy, such as fusion.

If such technology exists, I wonder why they don't have more advanced versions of hydrofoils or hovercrafts. Also, are the engines incredibly loud. I'm sure your neighbors would really appreciate it.

-- Matthew M. Warren (mattinsky@msn.com), January 25, 2000.

I bet Craig and Ed read Popular Mechanics when they were young!

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 24, 2000.

Marsha writes:

"I bet Craig and Ed read Popular Mechanics when they were young!"

As with Craig, I still read it when I get a chance. I heard about the car on Art Bell one night.

For a kid who grew up in the 60's (conservative), my friends and I would dream about this type of stuff all the time. Even had a Major Matt Mason action doll with the Moon base and all of the attachments.

Unfortunatly: the progress in engine and rocket design the last few decades has not kept up with the progress in other fields.

Have to go, the transporter is waiting.

-- ED "Captain James T. Kirk" Bridges Stardate 2847.6 (ed_bridges@yahoo.com), January 25, 2000.

Ed (ed_bridges@yahoo.com),

Thank you, Ed. The Moeller site was exactly what the guy described. Unfortunately, the initial cost of a skycar will be $1,000,000. That's out of my league, but it is said that 1 out of 3 Microsoft employees is a millionaire. Maybe these guys would be interested, especially given the price of real estate near Redmond.

The reason most people love their cars and hate public transit is that our cars take us where we want, when we want, in relative safety and comfort. A skycar would give us even more choice and freedom. Imagine living out on one of the islands and not being dependent of the ferries. Who needs a second Narrows bridge when you can go as the crow flies? I'd love to live way out in the boonies and if the skycar came down to the price of a luxury car, I'd be very interested.

Thanks again to all who replied to my question.

-- Frank Hemingway (pvtc@aol.com), January 26, 2000.