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| | During the summer, graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are attempting to get an idea aloft that has attracted, engaged and intrigues people for decades -- the flying car. A start up venture called Terrafugia is aiming to show off what it calls the Transition -- a personal air vehicle. The vehicle resembles an SUV and has retractable wings. The Transition is designed for 100 to 500 mile airborn jumps. The vehicle can carry two people and luggage that distance on a single tank of premium unleaded gasoline. The vehicle also comes with an electric calculator, airbags, aerodynamic bumpers and a GPS navigation system. Flying cars technically are feasible, prototypes having been built in the 1950s and 1960s. However, thus far they have not been practical from an economic standpoint.
Flying car is a transport vehicle, combining features of an automobile and flying machine. As of 2008, there are some tens of experimental type flying car models.
Flying car “Lark-4” from Russia:
* Flight range with pilot and three passengers– 1,510 km, with pilot and one passenger – 3,400 km;
* Speed range of flight – from 43 to 750 km/hr (record minimum speed and record maximum speed for such category of vehicles);
* Maximum rate of climb – 24 m/sec;
* Maximum flight altitude – approximately 12,000 m;
* Minimum take-off and landing speed – approximately 43 km/hr;
* Take-off and landing on compact soft surface area with length 27 – 30 m;
* Storage in standard 40 foot maritime container and take-off from it;
* Storage in regular automobile garage (7 х 2.3 х 2.3 m);
* Triple backup of engine. Flight on one or two backup engines( in case of failure of cruise engine) with speeds of up to 250 & 180 km/hr;
* Diesel oil consumption – 10.9 kg per 100 km flight;
* Safety of pilot's actions with the help of onboard control computer. Transition to auto pilot and landing in critical situations;
* Auto pilot mode at minimum altitude and remote analysis of ground for selecting the landing platform (including in darkness);
* Movement in automobile mode on highway wheel drive from any of the 2 auxiliary engines and at a speed of up to 65 km/hr;
* Wingspan – 5.85 m;
* Length – 6.85 m;
* Height – 2.24 m;
* Weight of empty vehicle– 385 kg;
* Maximum take-off weight – 985 kg (exceeds weight of empty vehicle by 2.6 times);
* Engine - TVD-400 (Turbo-shaft engine with capacity of 560 hp);
* Noise level of engine, integrated in the design of airframe, conforms to noise level of mid-range truck;
History
In 1946, distant relative of steam-engine’s inventor Robert Fulton, popular for his trip around-the-world on motorcycle and grown rich during World War II by manufacturing gunnery device for anti-aircraft gunners, undertakes the mission of creating “Flying amphibian” (Airphibian). He strongly believed that instead of adapting the automobile to fly in skies, it is necessary to make the aircrafts adapt to roads.
Wings and section of tail of the plane were detachable and propeller was connected to the fuselage. Airphibian had six-cylinder engine with capacity of 150 hp and “Amphibian” could fly with speed of 120 mph and run at mph.
About conversion of plane into automobile and vice versa, Fulton said that even “housewife can do it within five minutes”.
Airphibian became the first-ever flying car, which obtained the certificate of Civil Aeronautics Administration — predecessor FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
However, despite obvious success of flying car, Fulton could not start mass production as it was very difficult for him to generate finances.
Models
* Flying car from Russia “Lark-4” (private, 4-seater). Development of Public Design Bureau NAK. See site. See video film;
* Alexander Begak’s flying car “Evolution” (1-2 seater, with parachute wing, Russia. See site: Aerolab;
* Flying minibus “AIRVAN”, design of Peter Antipov (for 7 members), Russia: http://www.airvan.org.ru/;
* Flying bus “BSK-10” for 10 passengers, development by OKB NAK, Russia: See site: “Russian flying car”;
* 1 & 2 seater Skycar М200 and М400, USA, designer - Paul Moller.
* CityHawk, Israel;
* PALV, Holland, J.Becker;
* SkyRider X2R, USA;
* AMV-211, USA;
* Skyblazer, USA, Robin Haynes;
* Eagle, Israel, D.Metreveli;
* Chrysler VZ-6, USA;
* Roadable Aircraft International, USA;
* Transition, Terrafugia Inc, USA;
* Rotapower M200, USA;
* Aerocar, USA, Taylor;
* Aerojeep, USA, N.Jeranio
(Only some of the developments are enlisted).
Flying cars in mass culture
Cars, capable of flying — one of “common subjects” of fantastic novels and films.
* In the end of French picture “Fantomas se dechaine”, hero escapes in car Citroën DS with retractable wings;
* Flying car De Lorean DMC-12, which is also time machine, was shown in film trilogy “Back to Future”;
* Entire city transport consists of flying cars in the film “Fifth Element”, which takes place in XXII century;
* Both in novel as well as in the film “Harry Potter and the chambers of secrets”, Harry Potter, Ron & Weasley arrive into Hogwarts school in a magic flying car “Ford Anglia”;
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