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NASA's Highway in the Sky - Big jets and HSR obsolete?
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I have followed the Moller Skycars for years.I once thought the technology needed to make them actually work was a bit too high to reach. For example, how do you fit enough "fan" to move the air needed to actually lift and keep this thing in the air and actually drive it somewhere? <br /> <br />I have seen the car tied to a crane flying to work around laws prohibiting flight in the area. I am a believer in the concept as presented by Moller. <br /> <br />I have driven Semis for many years. I have also flown small planes such as the Archer and the Skyhawk. I dont know much about current procedures as they were done long ago from a small air strip. I also have flown about the country and overseas. I have seen the flight tracker where you are able to sit in the airport at Little Rock Arkansas and understand that there are 4 planes coming within the next hour and where they are as of 5 minutes ago. <br /> <br />The sky has many things going on such as No Fly Zones, prohibited airspace, Temporary restrictions due to construction !, weather, Federal mandated limits on Air Traffic Control Centers etc. Lanes across the sky at different altitudes and connected to various VOR's and supported by TACCANs and other means such as GPS. <br /> <br />Now in my very small understanding I think the US Govt has been busy implementing a system where the entire sky over the CONUS is spilt into GPS Highways and Zones. Within several years I hope to see such a system in place. <br /> <br />Now. When I climb into a 18 wheeler that truck does NOT move unless all of the issues related to the equiptment, trip, schedule, fees monies etc etc etc.... are met. Pilots in all kinds of aircraft are under similar if not more strict control. Ground control in a airport dictates what can move and when while air control handles any in the sky within certain heights and distances. <br /> <br />I cannot imagine right now my wife (I am NOT being sexist or any kind of discrimination) climbing into one of these Skycars and establishing a trip from say...Little Rock to Heber Springs to visit relatives. She would have to understand many many things that will affect her flight. <br /> <br />I have seen peoples driving on the interstate and frankly I feel that this nation is not yet ready for low level free flight in Moller Sky Cars without a fundemental change in the way we train drivers, assist them with the learning curve and teach them new ways of thinking as they attempt a new mode of transport. <br /> <br />The people are NOT ready. Take a look at the 80 year old asserting her independance at 23 mph going flat out in a 30 foot car on the road holding up 40 others. Or the soccer mom herding 10 kids to the little leaque game. (How heavy is 10 kids and thier stuff? Do we call those Moller SkyMINIVANS? (Sorry just had to ask) or the drunk on his way home from the bar. <br /> <br />I also envision New York City literally swarming with skycars as workers drive directly to thier office. Perhaps we build sky scrapers with whole floors dedicated to "Hanger decks" similar to carrier operations in the Navy. <br /> <br />Finally, such a project in my mind will take years before it becomes wide spread use in this country. Would this be the ultimate in personal transport over regional long distances in speed and luxury? Or a horrifying exercise in damage such as crashing into houses and clipping towers that they should have known about? Or... St Louis being hit by a weather front that includes large hail, turbulence and tornadoes. I see tens of these things swatted from the sky. Why? People dont follow the weather like they should in flight. <br /> <br />Perhaps my post is somewhat heavy and hard on the concept. I support it whole heart... but I refuse to see just anyone jump into a Moller Sky Car and go about thier business as we do everyday in our personal cars.
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