M400 Skycar

[Scotty]

Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
ladders as well.

http://www.moller.com/skycar/

[The Raven]

"Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
> ladders as well.
>
> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>

It's been going nowhere really fast for some time. Big problem is the flight
control software. IIRC it has somewhere between 4-8 engines which all need
to be co-ordinated for VTOL, STOVL, and normal flight.

His engine technology is interesting, as is the overall concept. However,
once you get past all the conceptual stuff (assume it's all
feasible/affordable) consider the styling......is that style going to appeal
to buyers given that it's primary purpose is to provide flight (and
therefore not something that can be made over every few years).

--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** Now I will bring chaos to the world!

[Uncle Bully]

"The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:426b7008$0$8119$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> "Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
> news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
>> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
>> ladders as well.
>>
>> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>>
>
> It's been going nowhere really fast for some time. Big problem is the
> flight control software. IIRC it has somewhere between 4-8 engines which
> all need to be co-ordinated for VTOL, STOVL, and normal flight.

The biggest problem is that it is nothing more than a pipe dream.


>
> His engine technology is interesting, as is the overall concept. However,
> once you get past all the conceptual stuff (assume it's all
> feasible/affordable)

and that's a really big assumption.

> consider the styling......is that style going to appeal to buyers given
> that it's primary purpose is to provide flight (and therefore not
> something that can be made over every few years).

It is a con pure and simple.
I'd wait until an energy source cheaper than oil is discovered before I'd
bother even thinking about flying cars.

[The Raven]

"Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
news:426b7187$0$4657$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
> "The Raven" <swilson150@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> news:426b7008$0$8119$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>> "Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
>> news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>>> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
>>> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple
>>> of ladders as well.
>>>
>>> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>>>
>>
>> It's been going nowhere really fast for some time. Big problem is the
>> flight control software. IIRC it has somewhere between 4-8 engines which
>> all need to be co-ordinated for VTOL, STOVL, and normal flight.
>
> The biggest problem is that it is nothing more than a pipe dream.

Saw an interview a while back with Mr Moller. He admitted it was unstable
and, it's only flown to a tethered height of 150ft because he had to do that
to convince the watching investors.

>
>>
>> His engine technology is interesting, as is the overall concept. However,
>> once you get past all the conceptual stuff (assume it's all
>> feasible/affordable)
>
> and that's a really big assumption.

The engine technology appears good, he's managed to make rotary engines that
do not require side seals. This helps reduce manufacturing costs and is a
sealing breakthrough, even if only half as good as he claims.

>
>> consider the styling......is that style going to appeal to buyers given
>> that it's primary purpose is to provide flight (and therefore not
>> something that can be made over every few years).
>
> It is a con pure and simple.

More an unrealistic dream and/or an attempt at noteriety.

> I'd wait until an energy source cheaper than oil is discovered before I'd
> bother even thinking about flying cars.

Consider how shocking most drivers are today (ie. Camry drivers).... Who the
hell is going to let them loose in flying cars?!


--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** Now I will bring chaos to the world!

[John Hudson]

"Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
> ladders as well.
>
> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>
>
I hope you didn't put down your US$100,000 deposit towards the $900,000 list
price without reading the FAQ's. Like after spending 'only' a hundred
million dollars on R&D they only have one aircraft, that flies, well
actually it hovers really well, the crane it's attached to is only there for
safety you understand. I know where there's a really good bridge for sale
too ;-).
huddo..

[The Raven]

"John Hudson" <huddo@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:exLae.22558$5F3.8471@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
> news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
>> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
>> ladders as well.
>>
>> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>>
>>
> I hope you didn't put down your US$100,000 deposit towards the $900,000
> list price without reading the FAQ's. Like after spending 'only' a hundred
> million dollars on R&D they only have one aircraft, that flies, well
> actually it hovers really well,

hovers only when tethered to the ground to stop it going uncontrollable.

>the crane it's attached to is only there for safety you understand.

Assists with altitude and avoiding ground impacts.............

> I know where there's a really good bridge for sale too ;-).
> huddo..



--
The Raven
http://www.80scartoons.co.uk/batfinkquote.mp3
** Now I will bring chaos to the world!
>

[jackbadger]

>Consider how shocking most drivers are today >>(ie. Camry drivers)....
Who
>the
>hell is going to let them loose in flying cars?!

Do you think if the automobile was invented today, that just anybody would
be allowed to go get a drivers licence? By the time a feasible propulsion
method is developed, the car will just log on to a central guidance
computer. Sounds boring if you enjoy to driving, but imagine climbing into
a box with your family in Parramatta, punching in "Wollongong" and sitting
back with a lager while you join a fast moving evenly spaced convoy to get
you there in 20 minutes. It won't, however, mean the end of cars as we know
them - the lack of oil will have long taken care of that.

jackbadger
the longer i hang out here the less of a car person i become

[Dan---]

"Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
> ladders as well.
>
> http://www.moller.com/skycar/

Thats pretty damn cool!

--
Regards Dan

[Fraser Johnston]

"jackbadger" <castle56@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a3d6a4ea180294f097e598f5570b3fce@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> >Consider how shocking most drivers are today >>(ie. Camry drivers)....
> Who
>>the
>>hell is going to let them loose in flying cars?!
>
> Do you think if the automobile was invented today, that just anybody would
> be allowed to go get a drivers licence? By the time a feasible propulsion
> method is developed, the car will just log on to a central guidance
> computer. Sounds boring if you enjoy to driving, but imagine climbing into
> a box with your family in Parramatta, punching in "Wollongong" and sitting
> back with a lager while you join a fast moving evenly spaced convoy to get
> you there in 20 minutes. It won't, however, mean the end of cars as we
> know
> them - the lack of oil will have long taken care of that.

Sounds crap. Who'd want to go to Wollongong?

Fraser

[Fraser Johnston]

"John Hudson" <huddo@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:exLae.22558$5F3.8471@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "Scotty" <noricer@comeagain.com> wrote in message
> news:426b6a21$0$5177$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>> Has anyone been following the progress and technology of these things? I
>> wouldnt mind trading in the work van for one, if only it held a couple of
>> ladders as well.
>>
>> http://www.moller.com/skycar/
>>
>>
> I hope you didn't put down your US$100,000 deposit towards the $900,000
> list price without reading the FAQ's. Like after spending 'only' a hundred
> million dollars on R&D they only have one aircraft, that flies, well
> actually it hovers really well, the crane it's attached to is only there
> for safety you understand. I know where there's a really good bridge for
> sale too ;-).

I remember a friend telling me about it 10 years ago and how it would be
available any tick of the clock. Must be a fucking slow clock.

Fraser