Some imspiration for the Scifi-ers

[Liar]

2020 vision: live to 120

A life expectancy of 120, glow-in-the-dark cats and wiping out diseases with the bite of a banana - welcome to life in 2020.
Scientists say this and more is possible within 16 years...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National...0/2004/11/08/1099781305947.html?oneclick=true


and


Flying taxi vision for commuters

Are Jetpods the future of commuter travel? Commuters could soon be taking flying taxis to work instead of waiting in line for a street cab, experts suggest. British developers Avcen say Jetpods would enable quick, quiet and cheap travel to and from major cities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3990329.stm

 

[R. Richard]

2020 vision: live to 120

Flying taxi vision for commuters

Are Jetpods the future of commuter travel? Commuters could soon be taking flying taxis to work instead of waiting in line for a street cab, experts suggest. British developers Avcen say Jetpods would enable quick, quiet and cheap travel to and from major cities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3990329.stm [/B]

Unless you are an aeronautical engineer it will be very difficult to understand that using directed nozzles on a jet engine is not very efficient nor is it very reliable. The more practical approach is the lift fan. A jet driven lift fan would make the Jetpod a much more practical concept. The lift fan was proven in the XV-5A experimental aircraft and has been proposed for the JSF plane.

 

[Bandit1]

Re: Re: Some imspiration for the Scifi-ers

Unless you are an aeronautical engineer it will be very difficult to understand that using directed nozzles on a jet engine is not very efficient nor is it very reliable. The more practical approach is the lift fan. A jet driven lift fan would make the Jetpod a much more practical concept. The lift fan was proven in the XV-5A experimental aircraft and has been proposed for the JSF plane.

The concept of vectored thrust seems to work well enough for the Harrier.
But I take your point. A lift fan would be simpler for the average person to master using.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

SORRY TO RAIN OF YOUR FUTURISTIC DREAMS, BUT . . .

As seriously as we are searching for a new fuel source,
the more likely method of future transportaion will be

NOT THIS

http://www.putlearningfirst.com/br/grape/hiview.jpg


BUT THIS

http://www.sandiegohistory.org/pancal/expo/prdfirs.jpg

 

[The_old_man]

I seriously doubt that it is passable to control traffic flow of airborne commuters. Once they have become airborne height and direction is no longer restrained. Speed and inertia also will become much more of a problem. Stopping a mass in airborne motion is NOT easy.

 

[rgraham666]

Oh great!

Now when some under trained jackass with bad reflexes and poor situational awareness crashes, they won't merely injure themselves, they'll take out who ever they hit and some people on the ground.

Wait! We'll make it computer controlled! We'll give the contract to Microsoft and they can handle the problem by creating software with the ease of use and stability of Windows™.

 

[tolyk]

Oh great!

Now when some under trained jackass with bad reflexes and poor situational awareness crashes, they won't merely injure themselves, they'll take out who ever they hit and some people on the ground.

Wait! We'll make it computer controlled! We'll give the contract to Microsoft and they can handle the problem by creating software with the ease of use and stability of Windows™.

*LAUGH*