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Personal SUV of the Sky

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the speed-demon dept.

BoomZilla writes "While we're all waiting for the personal jet packs we were promised in the magazines of our youth, another 'personal flying car' has entered the fray. The Taero 4000 will exist in the car/plane category, but will require a pilot's license and will operate from airports (...no lifting off from the back yard). The Taero has an interesting folding wing concept: '[the] wing fold system will enable automatic transformation from air to land travel with the wings folding to a position parallel with the fuselage'. The target base price for the Taero 4000, in assembly kit form, is $400,000 U.S. dollars (does not include assembly[!] or optional extras). According to the site, 'Taero is scheduled for first delivery in 2007'. The FAQ makes interesting reading. Competition for Moller International's SkyCar?"

5 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Amazing... by npistentis · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Skycar goes 350 mph, and yet still gets way better gas mileage than my escort.

    --
    Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!
  2. Flying Cars.... by c_oflynn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    People seem to have trouble driving while using a cell phone - do you think most people are ready for complete 3D navigation? I guess thats why this thing needs a pilots license...

    I really don't see whats so great about this. Seems like a homebuilt aircraft, as you still need all the normal things (pilots license, airport, etc).

  3. Re:How is this better? by mrgodzilla · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My thoughts exactly.. you pretty much nailed
    what my thoughts were as I read through the
    site -- and to top it off, the performance
    stats are really too good to be true for any
    folding design.

    I don't see how they can list a price if they
    don't even know how long it will take to
    assemble -- woudln't you need to know something
    basic like that to be able to price it out?

    -- godzilla

  4. At last! by quantaman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Darwin will finally take care of SUV owners!!

    --
    I stole this Sig
  5. aerocar of 1968 by bender-high · · Score: 5, Informative

    Looks awfully similar to the "aerocar" of 1968:
    http://www.museumofflight.org/collections/craftdis play.html?ID=3
    Manufacturer: Aerocar
    Model: Model III
    Year: 1968
    Serial No.: 1
    Location: Museum of Flight
    Viewable? Yes

    Span: 34 feet
    Length: 26 feet
    Wing Area: 190 square feet
    Empty Weight: 1,500 pounds
    Gross Weight: 2,100 pounds
    Cruise Speed (Road): 60 mph
    Cruise Speed (Air): 135 mph
    Service Ceiling: 12,000 feet
    Range: 500 miles