BlackFly – the newest flying car

You still have to freakin' park it somewhere.

a reply to: UpIsNowDown

I'd like to see someone reverse park that thing 100 feet above ground.

Some ideas should remain ideas. Navigating two dimensional traffic is hard enough let alone throwing another dimension into the works, imagine getting into a fender bender ten stories up.

Sure it looked good in The Fifth Element but in reality it would be a logistical nightmare.

Oh, and the noise! I notice they play some nice, soothing ambient music over the promo rather than the sound of 60 buzzsaws next door.

You can bet your nuts you will need a pilots licence for that in the UK.
You need one here if you jump higher that 3 feet off the ground.

Well, that is pretty much the coolest thing I have seen in some time!

originally posted by: eManym
20 to 30 minute flight time, low speed, unable to carry more than 250 pounds, seems to be impractical for any other use but as an expensive toy.

So? Version 2 goes two hours. Version 4 goes ten. Bigger motors, more payload. Better landing gear. What you see in this demo is assuredly NOT the final product. This is proof of concept. In order to see the potential you have to get beyond what you see today. That's the difference between visionaries and people who won't cross the river because it's too dangerous. None of the objections to this so far are the least bit substantive.

originally posted by: schuyler

originally posted by: eManym
20 to 30 minute flight time, low speed, unable to carry more than 250 pounds, seems to be impractical for any other use but as an expensive toy.

So? Version 2 goes two hours. Version 4 goes ten. Bigger motors, more payload. Better landing gear. What you see in this demo is assuredly NOT the final product. This is proof of concept. In order to see the potential you have to get beyond what you see today. That's the difference between visionaries and people who won't cross the river because it's too dangerous.

Absolutely, plus the cool factor is off the chart.

a reply to: schuyler

How many hours of maintenance per hour of flight will be required? How much will that cost?

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: schuyler

How many hours of maintenance per hour of flight will be required? How much will that cost?

Clearly I'm not the OP but really, does it matter? Stop being a Luddite and embrace the possibilities.

a reply to: Jonjonj

I am explaining why there are no possibilities. It has nothing to do with being a Luddite. No one could possibly afford the maintenance.

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: Jonjonj

I am explaining why there are no possibilities. It has nothing to do with being a Luddite. No one could possibly afford the maintenance.

Not yet maybe, but we already have sensors for cars, so just that issue is resolved. Think about communal airports with sat-nav and auto- pilot...the only real issue is battery...and that is progressing nicely.

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: schuyler

How many hours of maintenance per hour of flight will be required? How much will that cost?

There's no reason to suppose it would be more than a car. In any case, is the fact that we don't know sufficient reason to reject the idea?

Nobody could possibly afford it

How could you possibly know that?

a reply to: generik

Most modern cars have sensors already so all it needs is an onboard computer to automatically change direction and collisions can easily be avoided. What’s more concerning is if something fails in one of these flying cars, they would need a reserve parachute or some way of landing safely.

a reply to: schuyler

Well the best estimate would be other flying vehicles, such as planes or helicopters. How much is their maintenance? How many hours for every hour of flight?

a reply to: surfer_soul

Cars fail all the time. Imagine if that flat tire was falling from the sky into a house.

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: schuyler

Well the best estimate would be other flying vehicles, such as planes or helicopters. How much is their maintenance? How many hours for every hour of flight?

OK. How about a Cessna 150? WELL within the resources of your average person.

a reply to: schuyler

And costs about $20k for 100 hours of operation. That's not the entire cost either. How many people do you know that are average people who can afford that? I can't.

originally posted by: schuyler
OK. How about a Cessna 150? WELL within the resources of your average person.

I imagine if they ever get approved for actual flight and put into production, the first people to buy them would be the Tesla crowd; people with a lot of disposable income who like to show off their expensive toys. Maybe average slobs like you and me could get one someday, but it's hard to say.

It would be fun to see them flying around, though. I wouldn't want to stand underneath one for very long.

a reply to: Blue Shift

Where would they park it?

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: schuyler

And costs about $20k for 100 hours of operation. That's not the entire cost either. How many people do you know that are average people who can afford that? I can't.

Oh, please. That figure is completely inflated. You can buy a Cessna for less than $20K, less than the cost of a Honda Civic. An annual inspection should run you a little over $500. It should cost you about $40 an hour to run, depending on fuel costs. I'm a private pilot (ASEL) and can easily afford that. This new system is electric so fuel cost is likely to be far less. In any case, you have NO IDEA what maintenance will be, so to diss this aircraft based on your inflated expectations is a mistake. If you can't afford it, too bad. There are plenty of people who will be able to. You are not their market; they are.