"In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

[WillyBWright]

Couldn't decide on which title so I used them both. <br /><br />We've been in the twenty-first century for half a decade now. We're still burning petroleum in our vehicles and we're still on the ground. When I was a kid I saw all these predictions about what the 21st century would be like and there always seemed to be flying cars. So where are they? Maybe I watched the Jetsons too much, but I'm bummed. I WANT MY FLYING CAR! <br /><br />Sorry for the mini-rant. What I'm really getting to is this. I'm wondering what boats are going to be pushed by this century. Sooner or later the petroleum will slow to trickle and there will be other means of propulsion. What do you see in the year 2025. That's only 20 years away.

 

[JB]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

We are in the fifth year of the 21st Century. Another year to go before we are a half decade in.<br /><br />Forget flying cars. Too many people and not enough space. The slightest fender bender or mishap would probably be fatal. Flying licenses will be even harder to qualify for than now. How could people who can't even drive a car safely (or even sober) do that?<br /><br />In 520 years (2525) neither you nor I will be around, Willy. Why even wonder?<br /><br />Twenty years from now is a different story. You may see it; I probably wont.<br /><br />I think most vehicles (including boats) will be electric or hybrid, burn alternative (non-petro) fuels and/or use engines not fully developed at this time. The Sterling heat engine is a good candidate.<br /><br />That's my take, anyway. I wonder what those in the industry see down the road.<br /><br />Even though you mention boats, I think this belongs in Non-boating Tech. I will move it there.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Sorry I mean't 2025. Locked before I could correct it. I corrected it above.

 

[roscoe]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

If you have the bucks, you can put your name on the waiting list.<br />Look for the first sales and government approvals to be in other countries. Still uses petroleum though.<br /><br /> http://www.moller.com/skycar/ <br /><br /> http://media.moller.com/news/hoverstills/ <br /><br /> http://www.moller.com/news/media/ <br /><br /> http://www.moller.com/purchase/purch_info.html <br /><br /> http://www.moller.com/faq/ <br /><br /> http://www.moller.com/skycar/technology/

 

[JB]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Moller has been hyping that thing for almost 10 years now and it has flown only on tethers as far as I know. No FAA certification, either.<br /><br />Even Moller admits that it will cost about a megabuck in 2004 bux.<br /><br />A 2006 Tucker that burns Chanel #5 and gets 90mpg would be a better bet.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

I don’t think we’re going to see any significant new technology in boating for a long time. I think very soon we will start to see new restrictions and a control being implemented on whom is allowed to go boating. At the same time, a tanking economy will impact the average person’s ability to go recreational boating. Both of these events will take their toll on the demand for the development of new boating technologies and products, and significantly impact their cost.<br /><br />Bad news: if I am right, 2005 may be the year it starts. <br /><br />Good news: I am probably the only person on the planet looking at boating from this angle.

 

[dolluper]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Hygrogen power is coming baby as quoted by ARONALD for the state of Cailafornia by 2010 ,there is generators ,bues, and cars running on it now ,185mph BMW yes one hundred amd eighty five MPH.HE is setting up the refueling station infrastructure as we sit As of now no mention of boats so keep the eyes wide shut boys it's coming

 

[roscoe]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Well, since jb said so, I guess it will never happen. We ain't never gonna put a man on the moon either.

 

[DJ]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Hydrogen is coming, whether in fuel cells or conventional internal combustion engines. Either way, it's ZERO emission.<br /><br />The internal combustion engine/hydrogen fueled is an easy do. The only issues are storage and infrastructure.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

no flying cars...tunnel cars<br /><br />1st it will be gps driven cars, special high speed lanes where cars can drive very close and at high speeds.<br /><br />then, it will be more cost effective to go down like the chunnel - no rain or other conditions, just high speed!<br /><br />oh by the way they have proved you can transport matter like in star trek...

 

[JB]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

I didn't say it will never happen, Roscoe. It has happened quite a few times. . .first in 1947.<br /><br />My point is that only the very rich could afford it and even they can't do it without a pilot license, which is difficult and expensive to obtain and keep current.<br /><br />My neighbor commutes by light plane to DFW in fair weather(only). His annual operating and maintenance costs run close to $50Grand, and he is a commercial airline pilot. He laughed at me when I asked if he would consider a helicopter. He said it would be too slow and too expensive.

 

[roscoe]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Just kidding jb. I guess I left off the smiley face.<br /><br />Tomatolord, yep, they are developing these things now. Part of it is developing the drive by wire autos, and all the modular chassis/component vehicles. My nephew is developing some puter program for the developement gurus at GM, so he has told me about the "future".<br /><br />But like the rest of the future, the more high tech it gets, the more it will only effect the mass population centers. The rest of us in flyover country will go back to riding bicycles.<br /><br />As an example, I still can't get cable, dsl, or reliable cell phone service where I live.

 

[Link]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

More people should be asking this question WillyBWright <br /><br />Had the chance to ask Moller a few questions about his car a couple years ago and he seemed to be on the right track with no special licenses required for it. He also said that he was wanting to get one (his only working one) in the car shows in 2005 <br />Haven't heard anything about it yet for the auto shows. <br /><br />Hey doesnt neumanns have one??

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

I can see it now. I'm betting both the aeronautical and automotive mainstream are dismissing these craft. Could such things be the PWC of the future ... considered a nuisance? <br /><br />I like the vacuum tube idea. Vrooooooom! I can see that in 2525, but not 2025.<br /><br />I can see fuel cell inboards replacing sterndrives, but just beyond 2025. Til then they'll probably be multi-fuel capable 4-strokes. I think outboards will remain internal combustion much longer. Probably multi-fuel capable DFIs and EFI four-strokes. Beyond 2025? I still see internal combustion. Probably hydrogen. JC Whitney will have home hydrogen generators in their catalogs and Cabella's will have solar eloctrolysis systems for boats. Probably be able to get one at the local Farm & Barn too.

 

[dolluper]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

I am quite impressed with the hydrogen tech, just think buy a fuel cell and make your own hydrogen from any lake or even better fast moving stream,with zero emissions and just a vapour trail.My cousin is developing fuel cells his company is making the fuel cell generators and recieved a muti-million dollar contract from GM for cells in cars[ think it's called Highwire ] boy it's moving fast the only thing holding it back is the refueling infrastructure but that is happening!!!!!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Popular science has an article on the myths and misconceptions of hydrogen technology. Sounds like the promises may be greater than the actual potential in the near term. <br /><br /> http://www.popsci.com/popsci/generaltech/article/0,20967,927469,00.html <br /><br />Interestingly, the same issue had an article titled "The Daring Visionaires of Fringe Aviation". <br /><br /> http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviation/article/0,20967,1006774,00.html <br /><br />An excerpt from their portion of the story about Mollers Skycar:<br /><br />"Forecast: Stormy<br />Buyer beware. In 2003 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit against Moller International in federal court for selling unregistered securities. The suit alleged that while Moller, who has been designing and building vertical-lift vehicles since the early 1960s, had touted the Skycar’s promise to investors, “in reality, the Skycar was and still is a very early developmental-stage prototype that has no meaningful flight testing, proof of aeronautical feasibility, or proven commercial viability.” The SEC also alleged that Moller misled investors about the firm’s financial prospects. Moller paid $50,000 to settle the suit."

 

[byordy]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Actually J.B. it is becoming easier to obtain a pilot's license. The new Sport Pilot license requires fewer minimum hours to obtain, and does not require a FAA medical certificate. There is a limitation on the size of aircraft that can be flown, however several of the (much) older airplanes qualify, and manufacturers are certifying new airplanes that can be licensed in the Sport Pilot catagory. These are not ultralights either, but fully functional airplanes that can be flown anywhere. <br />I don't know what kind of airplane your neighbor flys but I operate my Piper Cherokee for far less than that. We live in an airpark so the airplane is kept in a hangar located behind our house and I don't use the airplane to commute so the utilization (and operating) costs may be less than his, but the fixed costs are probably comparable. I do my own maintenance (I'm licensed), and the FAA has a significant list of owner allowed maintenace tasks.<br />Having said all of that I own and operate the airplane for about the same costs as a nice car, excluding fuel costs (which are roughly comparable with my boat). I think my airplane maintenance costs could be compared, in one sense, to the costs you experience with your Mercedes, and in the past with Sunshine II. If you simply drive in, toss them the keys, and say "call when it's done" the cost will be much higher than if you take a proactive attitude and become involved in the maintenance requirements and associated costs (and from reading your posts I believe you do).<br />Flying is certainly not cheap, but it can be affordable and within the means of the average person. <br />Bill........

 

[JB]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Interesting info, Bill.<br /><br />My neighbor has a J3 Piper Cub (about 1946, I think) and a Cessna 175 (?), which is his commuter. He does most of his own maintenance but must also maintain his own hangar and runway. He may have bundled the whole thing to come up with that number.<br /><br />It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Bert (Burt?) Rutan is behind many designs suitable for Sport Pilots. One of Tom's sons flys a Rutan (Does BD-5 sound right?). Beautiful little single seater with a pusher prop. He comes to visit once in a while. BTW, both of Tom's sons are commercial corporate pilots.

 

[byordy]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

J.B.<br /><br />Interesting, my youngest son is a corporate pilot as well. He flys a Citation for a company in Louisianna.<br />Your neighbors J3 will qualify (I believe) for the sport pilot catagory. His Cessna 175 and my Cherokee are similar in capability, however the Cherokee is a low wing airplane and I've equipped mine for flight in instrument conditions.<br />I think the BD-5 is a Jim Bede design. There is one undergoing a refurb at the Ocean Springs airport near my workplace. Beautiful little airplane, this one has a Rotax 4 cylinder 2 stroke engine. I am not sure where Burt Rutan stands in the Sport Pilot arena. He seems to have concentrated on Winning the X-Prize and developing the Global Flyer for Steve Fosset. His VariEZ homebuilt designs are classics and HP for HP outperform almost any thing else.<br />I don't have runway maintenance costs to contend with since a (small) portion of the Diamondhead POA dues are allocated for airport maintenance, and fuel sales and FBO lease make up the rest.<br />Perhaps your neighbor did lump all the costs together, but the costs he quoted you are certainly above my means. <br />In this discussion I think the following close is appropriate;<br /><br />Clear Skies and Tailwinds,<br /><br />Bill.....

 

[aspeck]

Re: "In the year 2525" or "Where's my flying car?"

Willy, by 2025 there will be no more oil, and no other alternatives will be develop enough, so it will be back to steam, coal, man power, or get out the mules to pull from the banks.<br /><br />Naw, just kidding, but scared ya, didn't I?