Will the "Peak Oil" Pinheads FINALLY Shut the Heck Up?

[just Warren]

The other issue — a frustratingly practical one — is the matter of making the turbines small enough to fit comfortably in the car and still provide sufficient energy to keep it moving. Still, Stevens expects that he can have a prototype by 2014.

Screw that! Go big with those mofos! Also with that much energy on tap doesn't that push the power to weight ratio far enough to make flying cars practical?

[geronimotwo]

Maybe I should post an article on the hundreds of air separation plant around the world that suck in air and separate it into pure nitrogen and oxygen for use in industry.  How soon will we us it all up?   

you can't "use up" o2, as long as we have plants.

[sumpnz]

Screw that! Go big with those mofos! Also with that much energy on tap doesn't that push the power to weight ratio far enough to make flying cars practical?

I think those are called airplanes.

[Tallpine]

I think those are called airplanes.

"Flying car" needs to be able to take off and land vertically, cruise around on wheels in the streets, and fit in the same parking space that would hold a crew cab dually.

[KD5NRH]

"Flying car" needs to be able to take off and land vertically, cruise around on wheels in the streets, and fit in the same parking space that would hold a crew cab dually.

I think those are called business jets.

[MechAg94]

you can't "use up" o2, as long as we have plants.

Yeah, cause air separation plants can be used to make oxygen and nitrogen that you can then mix together to breath.   

[RevDisk]

"Flying car" needs to be able to take off and land vertically, cruise around on wheels in the streets, and fit in the same parking space that would hold a crew cab dually.

An Osprey?

[Nick1911]

Flying cars: Because people don't have enough trouble avoid accidents on a two dimensional plane.

[TommyGunn]

Flying cars: Because people don't have enough trouble avoid accidents on a two dimensional plane.

Actually, one should consider the possibility that operating in three dimensions gives one an extra dimension to move in, thus possibly reducing the chances of midair collisions. 
Now, telling which stick is the cyclic and the collective, that might be tricky ........

[Nick1911]

Actually, one should consider the possibility that operating in three dimensions gives one an extra dimension to move in, thus possibly reducing the chances of midair collisions. 

I see what you're saying, but I don't believe that most auto accidents could be avoided by having more escape routes - in most cases I don't think people see an accident coming with enough time to react at all.  This "not seeing" the other car will be more problematic when we throw another dimension in the mix.  Maybe technology can help, but Just IMO, not a good idea.

Throw into the mix the fact that if a mechanical fault happens, you can't just coast to the side of the road - if you run out of fuel you might destroy someones house when you fall from the sky; I think the sheer amount of regulation and idiotproofing required to make it passiably safe would both be very intrusive into one's personal affairs and very expenisve.  Not a world I want to live in.

[TommyGunn]

Yeah .... I knew I was reaching when I posted that.   Seemed like a good idea at the time. 

[Tallpine]

Flying cars: Because people don't have enough trouble avoid accidents on a two dimensional plane.

Pun intended 

 

[Nick1911]

Pun intended 

 

Kinda?  I didn't recognize it when I thought it out, but as soon as I typed the word "Plane", I saw it and laughed.  Funny how the brain works sometimes.  [and doesn't others!]

[seeker_two]

An Osprey?

I'd love to have an Osprey.....esp. to fly low over Prius-es and flip them with the prop wash.... 

[longeyes]

"Flying car" needs to be able to take off and land vertically, cruise around on wheels in the streets, and fit in the same parking space that would hold a crew cab dually.

I can't wait for the Korean driving school.

[RevDisk]

I'd love to have an Osprey.....esp. to fly low over Prius-es and flip them with the prop wash.... 

The exhaust is hot enough to start fires.

[Boomhauer]

Actually, one should consider the possibility that operating in three dimensions gives one an extra dimension to move in, thus possibly reducing the chances of midair collisions. 

The majority of people on the road need to stay the *expletive deleted*ck out of my sky...they really don't belong on the roads, either.

[seeker_two]

The exhaust is hot enough to start fires.

More icing on my smug-cake.....

[KD5NRH]

More icing on my smug-cake.....

IIRC, couldn't the Harrier clear small trees with just the right combination of crazy maneuvers and creative thrust vectoring?

[TommyGunn]

IIRC, couldn't the Harrier clear small trees with just the right combination of crazy maneuvers and creative thrust vectoring?

If it wasn't ladden with ordnance ....maybe.
I recall reading an article on Harriers after the British re-took the Falkland Islands back about 30 years ago.  The Air Group Commander, responding to a question about the Harrier "Viffing" (Vectoring In Forward Flight) against Argentine fighters, said they didn't do it because they lost momentum and it was hard to make it up while the enemy aircraft were still engaging them.
I am not sure "crazy maneuvering and creative thrust vectoring" helps extend the life of Harrier pilots very much ......