Is America ready, yet....?

Question

for helicopter mass transit? With rising fuel costs, people are turning to carpooling, taking the bus.. buying MOTORCYCLES for pete's sake! I was wondering if America is ready for mass transit with the flexibility and convenience of rotorcraft transportation? Another equally important question is whether or not modern rotorcraft (helicopters or otherwise) technology is ready for the stress and costs of mass transit? Would you be willing to take a helicopter to work? How much would you be willing to pay to drive out to a landing pad, and be ferried along with 20 other people to downtown, or some established route of helipads in a city?

Answer 1

Helicopters are actually worse on gas - compared to cars.  My Civic can get 41 MPG on the Hwy.  There's no way the helicopter will do that good.  

So I don't get your point?

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Besides when I took pilot training, I was discourage from taking helicopter training because they said it was REALLY hard and REALLY expensive (to fly and ESPECIALLY to maintain).  A helicopter BUS would cost incredible MORE than a regular bus or train.

ALSO - pilots take safety very seriously.  About 80% of pilot training is about safety, safety and more safety.  Most car drivers think their cars are toys - and think driving wrecklessly is good driving.  At least with cars, if they crash it will stay on the street.

I don't need hot-dogging helicopter pilots crashing into my living room few times a years.

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Flying cars and person aircraft are pure (stupid) fantasy.

Good Luck...

Answer 2

Not only are helicopters worse on gas than cars, but 100LL gas (for piston helicopters and aircraft) is $5.25 where I work at my airport and Jet-A, which is what most helicopters use, is $4.95 a gallon, and about to go to $5.30. I'll still with my car.

Answer 3

I've always fancied Zeppelins filled with helium, myself.

For fun, check out:

http://www.moller.com/

It's the sci-fi flying car site...made real...

Answer 4

Helicopters are the least fuel efficient motor vehicles there are in fuel per passenger mile.  They would be the LAST choice for mass transit.