Is it FINALLY here?

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/22/flying-car.html

I'm going with no.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

As an aircraft owner, knowing about the MASSIVE control and required approvals from the FAA, I will be surprised if this ever makes it to the streets. If it does, I don't expect it to survive the market place for very long.

I only glanced at the article, so I didn't see a price if one was given, but with the smallest of new airplane prices being a six figure number, this would have to come in at such a high cost that it won't be practical for commuters and will not be attractive to real pilots.

My $0.02,
Larry

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

So someone thinks its a good idea for people who can't merge correctly, who do not drive by right-of-way rules, who tailgate, and drive aggressively to be able to take those non-skills to new heights? ( pun intended).
I see a large shrinking of the gene pool.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

As an airplane, I'm sure that maintaining a relatively low weight is critical to in-air performance. Think this baby will pass current emission, crash test and other safety standards? I'm guessing that once you pile on all the equipment and structural enhancements necessary to meet current safety standards, and strangle the engine with automotive-style emission controls, you'll have a craft that possesses the flying capabilities of a penguin.

Do you get free airline miles with a purchase of one of those?

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For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

Yeah, as long as you pay the shipping cost to put it in the baggage hold, you can fly as a passenger for free. Something tells me that an airline ticket would be cheaper.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

You're exactly correct and I did not think about that side of it. A plane that size fueled and loaded would probably need to be in the 1,500 to no more than 2,000 pound range. I doubt that you could get all the regulatory crap on it and keep it below that weight even when empty.

Larry

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

uh...this is NOT a good idea from any point of view....

...add the hazards of people texting while flying!!!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

kinda like a futon, an uncomfortable couch that turns into an even more uncomfortable bed. promise is lost in practice. in engineering terms this is the ultimate polished turd......

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

How about adding biplane wings to an Amphicar?

Yes, it is rare when compromise brings adequate function in all categories. As a driver, it doesn't look like anything I would want to drive and as a pilot, it doesn't look like anything that I'd like to fly.

There have been various attempts at this sort of thing at least as far back as the fifties. I remember seeing a similar contrivance in Popular Mechanics, or Popular Science from the fifties.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

What do you mean finally?

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth