The fundamental problem is always weight, which is why making a vehicle that encloses the rider like a car can only be efficient if it's sufficiently large to amortize the costs. I think the solution is flying motorcycles, which already exist in the form of paramotors and gyrocopters. Then the problem is that you're so light that stability and safety in wind is a problem. Despite their availability, i havent heard of anyone commuting to work via paramotor.

> i havent heard of anyone commuting to work via paramotor

Well, now you have:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/paramotor-daredevil...

Article proves your point though. 10 miles in 30 minutes, required licensing, flight clearances, only works in very light wind, and requires total concentration the whole time. And then he carries the equipment once he lands in what must be a very heavy "briefcase."

Seems fun once or twice, but it swaps out the inconvenience of traffic with a ton of other inconveniences.

> Despite their availability, i havent heard of anyone commuting to work via paramotor.

I suspect that has more to do with the FAA taking less than kindly to flying ultralights over "congested areas" (I don't know if powered parasails / hang gliders are subject to the same restriction). If I could fly to work I would in a heartbeat.

I think there may be a niche market of adventurous people with way too much money. Whether that market is large enough for one manufacturer, let alone zillions (e.g. https://www.beautifullife.info/automotive-design/10-real-fly...) is questionable, though.

It's a bit hyperbolic to call it a "grift." Impose enough constraints on the idea of a flying car and sure, you can achieve it without swindling. The responses here are enough to tell me that people have very different ideas of what a "flying car" really is. I can't really comment on this specifically but I don't think there's any malicious intent.

No, there exists third possibility: balloon technology.

And a fourth: Ballistic cars

/s

Atlantic presents Inter Continental Ballistic Car (ICBC).

Travel from NYC to London in a less than 20mins strapped on top of rockets that were designed to carry Nukes. What can go wrong?

(sorry couldn't help)

Is that available in models other than a hearse?

Cherry Red Roadster*

* Rocket not included. Your millage is guaranteed unlimited after the first 30 minutes. Prone to rapid unscheduled disassembly.

How bad of an idea would it be to bw catapulted to your destination?

There is no form of transportation that cannot be materially improved by the addition of some form of catapult or ballistic delivery -- including catapults themselves.

Nets are important.

Ahem...trebuchets are superior to catapults in every way.

Okay, but is this viable?

Too much drag, so lot of fuel will be burned in bad weather.