The Airplane Car - Dream On

This whole idea of technology convergence, a car that turns into a submarine or an airplane that works like an auto doesn’t usually work due to huge tradeoffs to accomplish each mission. It will never do either job effectively. The Terrafugia made it’s maiden flight today.



I don’t know about you, but I can't imagine driving a winged monstrosity to pick up groceries? --and anything that doesn’t serve the express purpose of safe, effective flight will not be on the list for the average pilot. The take off roll on this looked sketchy at best and I never did see it fully airborne.

This is not new. The "airphibian" ConvAair car was introduced in 1946 and in 1949 the Aerocar was invented. You can still see it at the EAA musuem in Oshkosh. 60 years later the dream lives on, but I suspect that's what it will remain.