# Flying Cars Coming in 2017! Self-flying Cars Later! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 16, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088 "2015-03-16T00:29:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/21 "2015-03-17T10:25:41Z")
Please, don’t insult the noble Cessna in that manner. Granted, the Cessna is a slow and unsexy airplane, but they’re a workhorse and easy to fly. That’s why they’re like a persistent rash on the face of the planet and there’s more of them than any other sort of airplane. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/22 "2015-03-17T11:18:44Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Who’s laughing now, monkey boy? > > [Flying submarine - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_submarine) > > What people really want when they say “flying car” is a Back to the Future/George Jetson style flying car. And that kind of vehicle requires antigravity. A crappy airplane that can barely fly and can sort-of drive on surface streets isn’t what people want when they think ‘flying car’. DARPA is actually considering this: [https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=17646b0970db36d42886a253ebf814c7&tab=core&\_cview=0](https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=17646b0970db36d42886a253ebf814c7&tab=core&_cview=0) > [@](#): > > PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION: DARPA anticipates releasing the BAA for the Submersible Aircraft program with the objective of exploring the possibility of developing a single platform that is capable of both flying through the air and submerging below the water. The difficulty with developing such a platform arises from the diametrically opposed requirements that exist for an airplane and a submarine. While the primary goal for airplane designers is to try and minimize weight, a submarine must be extremely heavy in order to submerge underwater. DARPA is interested in a feasibility study and experiments that would provide proof of concept for the realization of an aircraft that can maneuver underwater. I’m imaging a cruise missile or drone that can travel underwater for part of it’s “flight” path. I can see the utility of that. It’s almost completely hidden for part of it’s flight. Whether or not it’s practical is another question. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/23 "2015-03-17T12:28:57Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > FTR, every designer calling their piece of crap a “flying car” is trying to evoke the sense of wonder created by the George Jetson flying car. I usually think “Blade Runner”, but that works, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/24 "2015-03-17T12:40:22Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Please, don’t insult the noble Cessna in that manner. Excellent point. I apologize to Cessna pilots everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![salyates](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@salyates](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salyates)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/25 "2015-03-17T14:30:35Z")
Seems like research and time that could have been spent making a more widely accessible airplane in the future. That giant car-plane would be an inconvenience on already cluttered roadways due to its width and clumsy in flight due to its overall shape. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/26 "2015-03-17T15:21:42Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > … > Granted, the Cessna is a slow and unsexy airplane,… Especially [this one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_Citation_X), right? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/27 "2015-03-18T00:26:53Z")
Ha-ha - good point. I was mostly referring to the single-engine variety. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/28 "2015-05-11T02:43:01Z")
[Aeromobil crashes](http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/flying-car-crashes-during-test-flight-1703473218/+chris-mills) > [@](#): > > A flying car crashed during a test flight in Slovakia on Friday. The Aeromobil car was piloted by Stefan Klein, a co-founder of the company. Klein was able to deploy a parachute for the vehicle, which is said to have helped ease the severity of the impact. > > Witnesses near the Nitra Janíkovce airport described seeing the flying car go into a tailspin before the parachute was deployed. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2015, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/29 "2015-05-11T10:04:43Z")
Well, good, the emergency parachute system works… ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/30 "2015-05-11T15:23:47Z")
Baby steps. Well, baby jumps from altitude… ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/31 "2015-05-11T15:55:55Z")
“Jaaaaane! STOP THIS CRAZY THING!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/32 "2015-05-11T16:34:14Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Well, good, the emergency parachute system works… I’m still not gonna be happy if that thing lands on my roof. As for autonomous planes, actually there’s a good chance we might not even get autonomous cars any time in the forseeable furture. The reason would be liability. If you crash your Toyota Corolla because you were too busy texting to look where you’re going, that’s your own damn fault. But if your autonomous car crashes because of a sensor defect or map error or something, wouldn’t that be Toyota’s fault? Given the current legal climate, it’s hard too see how any company could survive the litigation that would follow the first time a widespread defect cropped up. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/33 "2017-09-16T22:10:42Z")
[Version 4.0](https://www.aeromobil.com/evolution/) of Aeromobil appeared this month at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt, Germany. The new version seems to have changed significantly in many ways, with a more bulbous nose and a completely different cockpit. Other articles (links in the Media section of the site) say the price tag will be $1.2 to $1.5 million. The [Top Gear article](https://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/flying-car-close-reality) has lots of interesting technical detail. They’re taking pre-orders and hope to have regulatory approvals by 2020. As one article I read said, flying cars are always two years away, and have been for the last 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/34 "2017-09-17T01:21:18Z")
In the $1.2 - $1.5 million range, I can have my choice of[a number of helicopters.](https://www.aerotrader.com/search-results?radius=any&price=1000000%3A*&sort=price%3Aasc&modelkeyword=1&layoutView=listView&page=1&) Couldn’t I just paint a giant H on my driveway and park there? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/35 "2017-09-17T02:36:56Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I also hear they have these things at most airports called “car rental agencies.” I suppose that would also make it easier to get from the second airport to your destination. Heck, I’ve been to a lot of small airports that will provide you with a “courtesy car” at no charge. Of course, sometimes you have to pop the hood and diddle with the bits underneath to get it started, and sometimes the rear-view mirror or other parts fall off, but hey! It’s free! (Yes, the courtesy car at White County airport really was like that) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/36 "2017-09-17T03:22:26Z")
There is no way that little turd of an airplane does 300 mph. The range has to be a typo. [Their own website](https://www.aeromobil.com/flying-car/) says 223 mph on 300 hp and it carries 24 gallons. A normal aviation engine would probably burn 15 gallons an hr. Even if it was ultra efficient at 12 gallons an hour that’s a range of 446 miles with no reserve. If that thing makes it 300 miles legally I’d be impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/37 "2017-09-17T03:36:44Z")
The problem with this type of airplane/car is that they do nothing well for the money spent. Any advantage of a duel use platform died with Uber. There’s no reason to drive a plane from an airport to final destination when there is cheap/on-demand taxi service. The money wasted on the automotive platform could go into a dedicated airplane that is more efficient. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/38 "2017-09-17T05:00:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > **There is no way that little turd of an airplane does 300 mph. The range has to be a typo.** [Their own website](https://www.aeromobil.com/flying-car/) says 223 mph on 300 hp and it carries 24 gallons. A normal aviation engine would probably burn 15 gallons an hr. Even if it was ultra efficient at 12 gallons an hour that’s a range of 446 miles with no reserve. If that thing makes it 300 miles legally I’d be impressed. 300 mph is not a range. It is a speed. Or am I a victim of my unwillingness to read the article linked in the OP (a year ago)? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/39 "2017-09-17T05:40:33Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > 300 mph is not a range. It is a speed. > > Or am I a victim of my unwillingness to read the article linked in the OP (a year ago)? the article said a range of 900 miles or 3 hrs of flying. 900 miles divided by 3 hrs is 300 mph. From their website the plane carries 24 gallons of fuel. It’s unlikely that equates to 3 hrs of fuel with a 300 hp engine (at 75% power) which would burn 12 gph or more. Therefore, I suggested the range is a type. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088/40 "2017-09-17T12:39:17Z")
The problem with flying cars is this: the features you want in a car (crashworthiness, cargo space, etc.) add weight to it. In order to fly you need to minimize weight. Compare the passenger compartment of a car to that of a light plane. The plane is much smaller. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cars-coming-in-2017-self-flying-cars-later/715088.md?page=3)