Is there a car that can fly?

Question

Is there a car that can fly?

Answer 1

get real?? duhhhhhhhh, not yet, but im sure they will figure something out.

Answer 2

Today, there is an active movement in the search for a practical flying car. Several conventions are held yearly to discuss and review current flying car projects. Two notable events are the Flying Car forum held at the world-famous EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) conventions held at various cities.

Flying cars can fall into one of two styles; integrated (all the pieces can be carried in the vehicle), or modular (the pieces to fly are left at the airport when the vehicle is driven).

[edit]Current development examples

A number of companies are developing vehicles. None have yet demonstrated a vehicle capable of free flight.

StrongMobile's Magic Dragon Aircar[3] has been developed by retired Air Force pilot-engineer Rich Strong over a 50-year period. The design uses an automobile-type lifting body fuselage and automotive suspension. Flight propulsion uses a front-mounted ducted fan with side outlets. Automatic conversion uses a combination of folding and swinging to stow the wings into the body. The current design envisions a core market of frequent regional business travellers whose time savings make using the StrongMobile virtually revenue neutral.

LaBiche Aerospace's FSC-1[4] is a developmental prototype Flying Car and is an example of a practical flying car capable of utilizing today's automotive and aviation infrastructure to provide true "door-to-door" travel. The vehicle can be parked in any garage or parking space available for cars. The FSC-1 is the first known vehicle capable of automatic conversion from aircraft to car at the touch of a button. LaBiche has flown a 1/10th scale model, tested a ¼-scale model and is currently finishing the FSC-1 prototype for road and air testing, as of 2006. Currently, the FSC-1 requires a pilot and driver's license to operate. However, upon approval from the FAA, development is underway for utilizing a new satellite-navigation "hands free" flight system to travel from airport to airport that will eliminate the need for a pilot's license. Numerous safety systems and fail safes are also employed on the FSC-1, such as a recovery parachute.

The Haynes Aero Skyblazer[5] is a development stage vehicle that uses a single turbofan engine to provide thrust in the air and to generate electricity to power electric motors for ground travel. In "car mode", a patented mechanism allows the wings to fold into the body of the vehicle, which is designed to fit into a single car garage and regular parking space. In "aircraft mode" the vehicle will have STOL capabilities and be able to use almost any public use airfield. It is expected to have a top speed of 400 mph (640 km/h) and a range of 830 miles (1,340 km). The skyblazer team has completed wind tunnel, stability and control testing and flown a 1/6th scale model.

The Milner AirCar[6] is an advanced composite four-door, four-passenger roadable aircraft (flying car) with foldable main wing at the rear and foldable canard in the front. The AirCar has a wingspan of 28 ft (8.5 m), maximum gross weight of 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) and a total of 300 hp (220 kW) from dual ducted fans. Cruise airspeed and range are expected to be 200 mph (322 km/h) for 1,000 miles (1,600 km). After landing the wings fold to a width of 7 ft (2.1 m) so the vehicle can drive on public roads. A drive-able, but non-flyable prototype is complete.

The Moller Skycar M400[7] is a prototype personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft that some refer to as a flying car, although it cannot be driven as an automobile. However, the Skycar is a good demonstration of the technological barriers to developing the VTOL flying car. Moller International continues to develop the Skycar M400, which is powered by four pairs of in-tandem Wankel rotary engines, and is approaching the problems of satellite-navigation, incorporated in the proposed Small Aircraft Transportation System. Moller also advises that, currently, the Skycar would only be allowed to fly from airports & heliports. Moller has been developing VTOL craft since the late 1960s, but no Moller vehicle has ever achieved free flight out of ground effect.

Urban Aeronautics' X-Hawk[8] is a VTOL aircraft which operates much like a tandem rotor helicopter, however it doesn't have the exposed rotors which make helicopters dangerous for personal use. This is accomplished by containing the rotors in large 'ducts' which make up most of the body of the craft; the requisite decrease in rotor size also decreases fuel efficiency. The X-Hawk is being developed by Urban Aeronautics, and is being promoted for rescue and utility functions. It is expected to be available for about $3 million around 2010.

Terrafugia, a private company, is developing the Transition,[9] a roadable aircraft that the company describes as a "Personal Air Vehicle". The aircraft is designed to change configurations, enabling it to operate as a traditional road vehicle and as a general aviation aeroplane. The Transition "Personal Air Vehicle" is expected to be released in late 2009 with an operational prototype expected in 2008. The estimated purchase price is $148,000. Owners will drive the car from their garage to an airport where they will then be able to fly within a range of 100 to 500 miles (800 km). It will carry two people plus luggage and will operate on a single tank of premium unleaded gas.

Macro Industries Skyrider,[10] is a prototype of a flying car developed by Macro industries, which is similar to the Moller Skycar except lighter.

MotoPOD LLC,[11] advocates the combined use of airplanes and motorcycles to achieve door-to-door transportation. The company has developed a Motorcycle Pod that allows pilots to carry a street-legal motorcycle beneath their airplane. After landing, it takes only a few minutes to remove the motorcycle, unfold the handlebars and ride away. The company believes this modular solution will appeal to pilots who currently enjoy airplanes and motorcycles separately.

PAL-V Europe BV: the PAL-V ONE[12] is a hybrid of a gyrocopter with a car. It has 3 wheels and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) on land and air. It can run on petrol, biodisel or bio-ethanol and will cost $US75 000. The vehicle has a very short take of and vertical landing capability. At less than 70 decibels it is quieter than a helicopter due to the slower rotation of the main rotor. The PAL-V ONE has one seat.

The Volante Aircraft.[13]

The Wolff AeroCycle.[14] is a motorcycle that can have the airplane parts attached in order to fly, and then detached to drive on the road.

Answer 3

I think they made one earlier in this decade, and it cost like  5 million dollars and someone died flying it so it got discontinued.

Answer 4

Yes there is. Or rather was.

The Taylor Aerocar was a car with wings.  The wings folded backwards to make the car road legal. I think 6 were built.

A least 1 survives and you can see it in the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Ian M

EDIT

go to http://www.ABPIC.co.uk

Using the registrations search for N102D  or N31214 or N100D will get you pictures of them.

Ian M

Answer 5

Look at this: http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Answer 6

i don't think so

Answer 7

no.. but if you watch back to the future part 2, all of cars will be flying in about 7 years.

The honest answer of course is no. Perhaps someday, but it be a long, long time before the average person is flying a car around.

Answer 8

There actually is but its not available to the public it's made by honda. I don't really know the details all i know is that there is one.