True door to door transport

[whole diary]

[BerkshireBugsy]

I didn't know if I should post this here or in "the lighter side"

I found this on the Top Gear web site ....

https://youtu.be/wHJTZ7k0BXU

To quote one of my fave films "Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads!"

[ellendune]

1 MW of power equal to 1300hp.  That's about 13x the power of the average family car. That will do wonders for the energy usage of transport!

[stuving]

1 MW of power equal to 1300hp.  That's about 13x the power of the average family car. That will do wonders for the energy usage of transport!

As I read it that's only needed for take-off - and landing. And that sounds scary, as I doubt that those little propellers would provide much lift force in auto-rotation. So if the batteries run out when you are in the air, a VTOL landing is going to be distinctly brick-like. I guess there is a possibility of landing as a gliding aeroplane, if you (or the control software) has the training and if there is a suitable runway.

[Red Squirrel]

The thing that really disturbs me is that not only are there people out there who think this is a good idea; there appear to be people who are prepared to invest in it!

[JayMac]

Auto-rotation ability was my concern as well. The propellers look insufficient to achieve that.

Production tilt rotor aircraft, such as the Augusta Westland AW609 (currently still at prototype testing stage) must have auto-rotation capability before they will be certified for civil aviation. The AW609 successfully completed FAA monitored auto-rotation tests in late 2014.

[Electric train]

Note how congested the roads and air space is ............................... errrrrrrrrrrrrrr not

I like the phrase distributed electrical system ....................... mmmmmmmm there are not too many electrical systems I've come across that aren't distributed in some form or another

[Chris from Nailsea]

So if the batteries run out when you are in the air, a VTOL landing is going to be distinctly brick-like. I guess there is a possibility of landing as a gliding aeroplane, if you (or the control software) has the training and if there is a suitable runway.

I'm not convinced: there seems to be very little wing surface to allow for such unpowered gliding to a suitable landing place ... 

[BerkshireBugsy]

Some interesting observations guys but crazy ideas have to start somewhere.

Imagine trying to convince George Stephenson (sp?) that one day trains would be developed which could float above tracks and travel at speeds in excess of 200 mph

[Red Squirrel]

Imagine trying to convince George Stephenson (sp?) that one day trains would be developed which could float above tracks and travel at speeds in excess of 200 mph

Imagine trying to convince someone waiting at West Drayton in the morning that one day trains would be developed which could float above tracks and travel at speeds in excess of 200 mph...