Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.

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Not only isn't it good for commuting (where would one land it?) but it is not particularly good for carrying freight. Our civilization runs on freight.

ruveyn

Yes, but when I go out to buy a car for myself, I don't have "able to carry 30 metric tonnes of lumber" as a criterion for my purchase.

True. But you have to park it somewhere convenient. Airports are generally located far from city centers. If you were force to take a train into town, why not commute by train in the first place? Trains are more economical to run and operate than individual vehicles.

There is also the issue of congestion at terminal points. Intermediate flight is wonderfully uncrowded (I know since I am a pilot). But around very busy terminal points, landing can be trying. Also weather is a much more important factor to flying than to ground travel.

Then there is the matter of training and qualification. Flying requires more skill and care than operating a ground vehicle. In addition, if there is a problem, one cannot just pull over. Having engine problem in mid-flight is a major thing. Which leads to the following: air vehicles have to be much better maintained than ground vehicles. With a car, if you have engine problems you pull over. In a plane, you pray a lot.

There are old pilots and bold pilots. But there are few, if any, old bold pilots.

ruveyn

Not relevant to my point. The point I was making is that the fact that this vehicle isn't good for carrying freight isn't meaningful with regard to manufacturing the vehicle, because vehicles in general are not "one size fits all". A bus, a train, an airplane, a boat and a motorcycle do not all perform the same functions. And neither should any new vehicle be expected to perform every function performed by all vehicles. It should only be expected to perform the specific functions it is individually designed to perform. Your comment that "our civilization runs on freight" is nonsensical... Motorcycles, motor boats, commuter cars, trolleys, commuter rail and buses don't carry freight either. I suppose all of those are also worthless then?



Also relevant to manufacturing the vehicle, but not relevant to my point.

To answer your point. Flying cars make sh***y short run commuter vehicles. Used at their practical maximum they will make no dent in to commuter traffic problem. At best they are a neat toy for those who can afford to buy one and can pass the examinations and tests to get a pilots license. Flying cars will get us nowhere.

ruveyn

That's not an answer to my point.

How do you propose to mass produce pilots qualified to fly those mass produced planes? Most drivers are dreadful and as pilots they would be a disaster.

ruveyn

There are actually a very few 'aviation communities' out there. They're like 'golf course communities, except instead of golf, there's a runway. Great place to practice your swing...

John Travolta lives in one. He actually has a 707, which sounds like overkill to me...

And what about Flying Cars, where's my Flying Cars!? - Benjamin Sisko...