Back to Squawk list
  • 20

An all-electric ‘flying car’ take its first test flight in Germany

Enviado há
 
Today, Munich-based Lilium Aviation announced an important milestone: the first test flight of its all-electric, two-seater, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) prototype. (www.theverge.com) Mais...

Sort type: [Top] [Newest]


Jeantheuser
Jean P. 3
Germany has one the best car companies and their technology always fascinate me.
siriusloon
siriusloon 2
Here's why flying cars will never be a "thing": Stand on any street corner in any city and see what a high percentage of car drivers are idiots. Now try to imagine that in three dimensions.

avihais
Martin Haisman 1
More likely like the vision of Robinson helicopters for the average joe discovers cost and regulations means rich boy toy or has to be commercially viable.
rhazzed
Eric Powell 2
Gotta love German engineering.. always pushing forward with technology.
TorstenHoff
Torsten Hoff 2
Maiden flight video: https://youtu.be/ohig71bwRUE
wopri
Wolfgang Prigge 1
Looks like a tiny scale model in the video. Note that there is never any person or object close to this machine while flying, so we can not judge the actual size.
TorstenHoff
Torsten Hoff 2
Provided all shots are of the same aircraft then there are clear indications it is full-scale. At the one minute mark you can see two people working on the aircraft, and the final moments showing the landing allow size comparisons relative to the taxiway.
siriusloon
siriusloon 1
"Provided all shots are of the same aircraft" requires the same leap of faith that believing what looks like a "tiny scale model" is the real thing. If you're going to make your assumption based on faith, then just assume that what looks like a tiny scale model is the real, full-sized thing.

I'm NOT saying the video is fake, just that you can't replace one kind of suspended disbelief with another. Something more solid to prove (or disprove) the video is needed.
wopri
Wolfgang Prigge 1
Yes, I saw that also, but once the thing actually lifts off the people stand far away, and the size of the taxiway could also be doctored. Mind you, it could also be for real, I just would prefer better indications for the size.
TorstenHoff
Torsten Hoff 2
Lillium is working with and enjoying the backing of the European Space Agency, and I would imagine some of their staff would be on hand for this event. I can't imagine that Lillium would fake this event.
wopri
Wolfgang Prigge 1
That's a very good argument Torsten, so it's probably legit.
linbb
linbb -3
Oh good they now have combined two things that never will do more than fleece the investors be it government or private.
Molt Taylor tried the flying car many many years ago it didn't work then and wont work now. That goes for a practical electric aircraft that will do much of anything.
indy2001
indy2001 2
Drivers have proven that they can't consistently manage 2-dimensional movement, and now we're talking 3 dimensions? I'm all for technological innovation, but this is just plain stupid. Throw away all the money you like on development, but I'm hoping the Jetsons are still decades away.
Highflyer1950
Highflyer1950 1
I agree somewhat, but you will need both a pilots licence if I read it correctly. More to the point, what would the insurance premium be on a dual air/ land vehicle? I can just picture granny/gramps or anyone for that matter giving it a bump and while you can usually drive away with a dented bumper.......dented wing, not so much! Interesting concept from day one and its evolution.
Highflyer1950
Highflyer1950 1
oops, should read both a pilots and drivers licence.
FrankBoykin
Frank Boykin 1
I'm sure the science is sound, but the whole "Lawn Dart" scenario still keeps me from wanting to experience a ride in one of these contraptions.
ajagostini
ajagostini 1
I wonder how it would fly after being hit by a shopping cart at wal mart or rear ended at a stop light. I'm not sure the flying car concept really translates into the less than sterile off airport environment.
avihais
Martin Haisman 1
Awesome concept and excellent lateral thinking.

Entrar

Não tem uma conta? Registre-se agora (gratuito) para funcionalidades personalizáveis, alertas de vôo e mais!
Você sabia que o rastreamento de voos da FlightAware é patrocinado por anúncios?
Você pode nos ajudar a manter o FlightAware gratuito, permitindo anúncios de FlightAware.com. Trabalhamos muito para manter nossa publicidade relevante e discreta para criar uma ótima experiência. É rápido e fácil permitir anúncios no FlightAware ou, caso prefira, considere nossas contas premium.
Ignorar