Re:The Samson Switchblade flying car
by yummypaint on Thursday March 12, 2020 @03:43PM
(#22560937)
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.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
> 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.
Re:The Samson Switchblade flying car
by yellowapple on Thursday March 12, 2020 @06:34PM
(#22562648)
> 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.