1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
This Can't Possibly End Badly

Worst FAA Decision Ever? Flying Car Approved, Nobody Safe Anymore

by Jamie Block | 3:10 pm, June 29th, 2010

Look at that. You know what that is? It’s a flying car. Specifically, it’s the Terrafugia, a clever little Latin name playing off the idea of fleeing the ground. And despite being attached to some decent wordplay, it’s probably going to kill us all, or at least its drivers.

The Terrafugia is a legitimate flying car, with a maximum flight range of around 460 miles. That’s a lot of miles! Also, did we mention it’s a FLYING CAR. As awesome as that is, and as much as I can’t escape wanting one more than anything else in the world right now (only $194,000, people. Get me one for the holidays), I also think it is the biggest safety risk we’ve ever allowed on the road or in the air.

Now, this car isn’t actually new. People could drive it around for a while now, but the FAA, the freakin’ Federal Aviation Administration, just approved it for flight in the United States.

First of all, I’m not one to be overly paranoid about terrorism, but this seems like something terrible waiting to happen. Not only is it much easier to use covertly (it fits in your garage, for goodness sake), but it’s small and can be taken anywhere, really. Air traffic control won’t have any freakin’ idea, especially if there are a bunch of them out there. It only takes a 1/3 mile runway for take-off.

Second of all, there’s no airbag, crumple zone or roll cage to be found in any of them, making them the least safe flying machines on the planet, probably. The only thing worse would be an airplane designed to crash. Why not put safety features in your flying car? It would make it too heavy to be classified in the necessary aircraft category. Because that should matter!

Third of all, it only takes 20 hours of flying time to get a license, less than any other aircraft type.

So we have the least safe, hardest to track aircraft being sold for under $200,000, and it’s pretty easy to get a license for it.

But the people at Terrafugia explained to Telegraph how it’s actually safer than most light aircraft: You can drive it home in inclement weather.

Well, that fixes everything.

(Via Telegraph via Geekologie)

  • yoda

    It seems Mr Block is not aware of the procedures for obtaining a pilot license in this country. There are security procedures in place that help prevent terrorists from getting involved in aviation. And just how much damage can something as small as a two person aircraft do? Just chalk his ” not being overly paranoid about terrorism” to the popular ( and wrong) perception of general aviation as a tool of terror and utter recklessness.
    As to the vehicles safety, that is regulated by the feds. As a roadable vehicle, it has to pass certain safety standards to even be allowed on the road. It does have airbags and crumple zones. Not something you would see on, say, motorcycles.
    Since the craft must take off from an airport, it will be subject to airport security procedures. As a licensed aircraft, it will have a transponder, and participate in air traffic control. Flight instructors and the FAA will determine if the pilot is a safe individual.
    Statistics have proven that you are safer in an aircraft, either private or commercial, than a car on the highways.
    Well, does that fix everything? No. Individuals can screw up any system set up for safety, convenience, or pleasure. And they can also promote an air of fear through their “journalism” by labeling what they don’t fully understand.
    Does this flying car change in essence how we will travel? No, you can still drive your car to the airport and take off in you plane for way less money than $194,000.00. Many small aircraft that carry four people can be had for 40 to 60 thousand dollars.
    Does this new vehicle expand your options and flexibility? You betcha. As commercial air travel becomes more bogged down in inept security measures, cramped seating, and flight delays, the idea of taking your own vehicle to the skies and saving time while lessening hassles just might appeal to more and more folks.

  • tomboi1978

    / \
    |
    What he said! |

  • Rvc9000

    Can we replace the article with yoda’s comment? It makes more sense.


Abrams Media Network click here for advertising opportunities

© 2012 Geekosystem, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram