# HoverCars are here! Don't crash! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091 "2005-04-19T17:27:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/21 "2005-04-19T20:47:56Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Ultralight, which are prohibited by law from flying over densely populated areas like cities. **Broomstick** or one of our other flying Dopers can provide a link to the FAA regs, I’m sure. OTTOMH You don’t need a license to fly one. However, any ultralight with more than one seat is legally a trainer vehicle and can only be flown by somebody with a pilots license and a flight instructors license or by a student during instruction. The other regulations of ultralights give maximum weight, speed, stall speed etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/22 "2005-04-19T20:50:17Z")
Well, _I’ll_ be safe from falling hovercars, as I’ll be farming the ocean floor… ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/23 "2005-04-19T20:55:54Z")
Like with everything else fun and interesting our letigious society will make certain that this idea never makes it off the ground. Great idea but until it is automated completely it won’t happen…I doubt any of us will live to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Hoodoo\_Ulove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58956e/32.png) [@Hoodoo\_Ulove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoodoo_Ulove)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/24 "2005-04-19T21:01:32Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Oh yeah, if someone makes one that looks like [this](http://www.youareoutofcontrol.com/jgci_tuc.html), I’ll be first in line. It looks like it gets its lift through ducted tuckerfans. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/25 "2005-04-19T21:03:13Z")
> [@Bongmaster](#): > > Great idea but until it is automated completely it won’t happen…I doubt any of us will live to see it. I agree with you on the first, but disagree strongly on the second. I firmly believe that I will live to see self-driving cars become reliable and affordable. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/26 "2005-04-19T21:11:12Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Ultralight, which are prohibited by law from flying over densely populated areas like cities. Well there goes my commuter option. I fail to see what is so groundbreaking here. What’s the major improvement over an ultralight helicopter, which costs a lot less? Some of those things have contra-rotating coaxial rotors (Eagle’s Perch, I think), making them relatively easy to fly. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/27 "2005-04-19T21:18:12Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I believe it was Avery Brooks who asked “So, where are all the flying cars?” I thought of that very same ad when I saw this - IIRC, it was an ad for AMEX - possibly their “blue” card. But this thing… It’s a flying rock. Airplanes have wings and unless you dork out and stall the wing or get into a spin, they can glide in the event of engine failure. Count me in the “I’ll stay inside until every one of these that’s been sold has had a mid-flight failure and drops out of the sky” camp. ---
**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:** [April 19, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/28 "2005-04-19T21:22:00Z")
My eyes almost rolled out of my head watching that segment. The technology to have flying cars has been around for decades, it’s just too damn dangerous. Look at how much training and structure is put around regular helicopter flight and small plane flight. That’s with our skies nearly empty. Step one will be computer controlled automobiles. Let’s work on controlling a 2D conveyance with known and reliable technology before trying it on a flying car. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/29 "2005-04-19T21:29:40Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Step one will be computer controlled automobiles. Let’s work on controlling a 2D conveyance with known and reliable technology before trying it on a flying car. I’m having some trouble finding stories on the project I’m thinking of. I believe it was “Navstar” but it may have been called something else. As of 10 years ago, the professor had it doing everything except paralel parking. Kids were always disappointed when he showed them the ‘robot car’ because it looked normal except for a few tiny cameras and a pc in the front seat passenger leg room. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/30 "2005-04-19T21:38:43Z")
> [@](#): > > But Moller’s only working prototype is tethered to a crane – just in case it falls. Moller says the gasoline-fueled Skycar is designed to cruise at 300 mph, at an altitude of 20,000 feet. I’d say that if he still has a leash on that thing, it’s a long ways from commercial production and 20K cruising. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/31 "2005-04-19T21:56:47Z")
> [@Rodd Hill](#): > > Well, _I’ll_ be safe from falling hovercars, as I’ll be farming the ocean floor… Okay, luddite. _I’ll_ be living in my fusion-reactor-powered lunar home. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/32 "2005-04-19T22:19:15Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I’m having some trouble finding stories on the project I’m thinking of. I believe it was “Navstar” but it may have been called something else. As of 10 years ago, the professor had it doing everything except paralel parking. Kids were always disappointed when he showed them the ‘robot car’ because it looked normal except for a few tiny cameras and a pc in the front seat passenger leg room. I have a feeling that this is one of those “works great in the lab” ideas, but not in the real world. The various car makers have spend probably close to billions working on this technology, at least in the case of GM [since the 1950s.](http://www.conklinsystems.com/firebird/flight.shtml) While I’d be the **last** person to be surprized that the car makers would ignore a good idea developed by a lone inventor, I have a feeling that we just haven’t gotten all the kinks worked out of it, for real world use. Oh, and the Avery Brooks commercial was for IBM, in it he made the point that we didn’t need flying cars because of things like the internet and the IBM technologies driving it. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/33 "2005-04-19T22:42:40Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > the skies would rapidly turn into a scene of massive carnage **EX** -cellent! _—moves underground—_ ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/34 "2005-04-20T00:42:47Z")
Seriously, what if this [Moller](http://www.moller.com/) guy actually produces something other than vaporcars, and he’s got a commercially-viable model for sale. It would cruise at 200-300MPH, miles overhead. It could travel hundreds of miles. It weighs over a ton. It sure doesn’t look like an ultralight to me. What is it, effectively? A plane? ---
**Author:** ![Scarface\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Scarface\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarface_Z)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/35 "2005-04-20T00:54:54Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Huh. From the OP’s link, Norris said his AirScooter would go up to 10,000 feet, and had a cruising speed of 55 MPH. Sure, if you stay below a few hundred feet you’re OK, but what’s stopping you from going ten times higher? Actually 10,000 feet above sea level. So you people in Colorado would be getting the short end of the stick, so to speak. Also: > [@](#): > > It can fly for 2 hours at 55 mph, and go up to 10,000 feet above sea level. No one’s caught this yet? What kind of miracle transportation only goes 55 mph and only gives you 2 hours of flight time? I also noticed that nowhere in the article does it mention what kind of milage this flying “car” gets. And good luck pulling into a gas station. All in all, I think it’s just an over-glorified helicopter. [Since the CBS article didn’t have pictures.](http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/000387) ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/36 "2005-04-20T01:04:01Z")
It **IS** an ultralight helicopter! With coaxial rotors! This isn’t _new_! Gimme a break. ---
**Author:** ![laughingboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@laughingboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laughingboy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/37 "2005-04-20T01:22:17Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > We’ve got robot dogs. > > We’ve got cell phones. > > I demand flying cars. Hear, hear! And while we’re at it, let’s put boxing gloves on chickens. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/38 "2005-04-20T01:54:23Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > But this thing… It’s a flying rock. That certainly appears to be true of the SkyCar. But (maybe our doper aviators can correct me if I’m wrong), supposing the rotors on the AirScooter are massive enough, even if the engine quits, they might have enough inertia to keep spinning long enough and rapidly enough to allow a survivable descent, so long as the thing isn’t too high up. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/39 "2005-04-20T02:11:22Z")
And you thought that shopping carts got pushed around by a little wind. I’m just going to the local shopping mall. The result of a flying car ride. In smilies. 🆒🙂😛 :smack:…:dubious: :rolleyes: 😕 :eek: ☹ :mad: ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091/40 "2005-04-20T02:24:36Z")
> [@malden](#): > > from the link in the OP: > > Originally Posted by Woody Norris, flying car inventor > Well, I’ve done the math… if we sold say a couple thousand, $50,000 a piece, that’s a billion dollars. > (emphasis mine) > > I see a minor flaw in his business plan. :dubious: Hrrmm. I’m not setting foot in an invention engineered by someone with math skills like that. No-sir-ee-bob. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovercars-are-here-dont-crash/300091.md?page=3)