Flying Cars Still Not A Thing Apparently

I’m sipping my coffee and reading about the latest developments in the world of flying cars, and I have to say, it’s a wild ride. Apparently, Tesla’s demonstration of a “flying” version of its new Roadster has people wondering if we’re close to having cars that can safely travel on roads and highways while also flying significant distances. Well, not so fast, folks. It turns out that if you’re looking for a car that can do both, you’re out of luck. But if you want a personal flying machine that operates at relatively low altitudes and travels the distance of most car trips, that’s a different story.

The article goes on to talk about the fast-growing world of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs. These things can’t travel on highways, and some don’t even have wheels. But many companies are racing to develop vehicles that are straight out of science fiction movies and cartoons. I mean, who wouldn’t want to fly over traffic and avoid all the hassle of driving on congested roads?

Kristina Menton, vice president of flight at Pivotal, one of the companies making eVTOLs, says that the idea of the “flying car” has captured the public imagination for generations, and that’s driving real investment and innovation across the industry. She points out that why spend 90 minutes in traffic when you could spend 20 minutes in the sky? That’s a pretty compelling argument, if you ask me.

But here’s the thing: eVTOLs are very lightweight compared to traditional cars, with limited carrying capacity, and can generally fly 100 miles at a time at most. They also can’t operate on roads. So, if you’re looking for a vehicle that can do it all, you might be disappointed. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a personal flying machine that can take you on short trips, eVTOLs might be the way to go.

One company that claims to be developing a true flying car is California start-up Alef. Their CEO, Jim Dukhovny, says that their initial version will have a top speed of about 55 mph and will be designed to be both an aircraft and a car. But, as Roger Connor, curator of the vertical flight collection at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, points out, trying to do both faces many basic engineering problems. It’s like trying to make a car that’s also a boat – it’s just not going to be very good at either thing.

Despite the challenges, the Federal Aviation Administration is pushing for the development of eVTOLs, and has launched a series of testing programs across 26 states. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says that the future of aviation is here, and it’s going to dramatically improve how people and products move. But, as Connor notes, we haven’t licensed anybody in these new category aircraft yet, and it’s a little bit of a new thing for everybody, especially the FAA.

So, what’s the bottom line? Well, eVTOLs are still very much in development, and they’re not going to be cheap. Larger versions, or “air taxis,” will cost more than $1 million each, and those for personal use will retail for anywhere from $60,000 to $400,000. And, as Connor points out, for $60,000, you’re basically getting a fancy drone that could carry 160 pounds or so for maybe 10 minutes.

Tesla’s “flying” Roadster, which uses compressed air jets to leap over other cars, is not going to be available for sale until at least 2028, and it’s not clear how much it will cost. But, as Pivotal’s Menton says, her company is not a car company – they build aircraft, not flying cars. So, if you’re looking for a flying car, you might want to keep looking. But if you’re looking for a personal flying machine that can take you on short trips, eVTOLs might be the way to go.

In conclusion, the world of flying cars is a fascinating one, and it’s clear that we’re making progress towards developing personal flying machines that can take us on short trips. But, as with any new technology, there are challenges to overcome and regulations to navigate. So, buckle up, folks, and let’s see where this wild ride takes us! And, who knows, maybe one day we’ll be flying over traffic and avoiding all the hassle of driving on congested roads. A guy can dream, right? 😊

Big Elephant

Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.

Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.