Lets say you have a business meeting five miles from the closest airport. Imagine being able to fly to and land at a suitable site close to the actual destination for a meeting or event, and then, without exiting the vehicle proceed directly to that event. Pipe dream? Apparently not. In response to a forthcoming project announced by DARPA, (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Air 2 Air has announced that it hopes to be the first civilian user of the spinoff technology. According to the Air Force Times (http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/12/airforce_transformer_123009w/) DARPA has launched a flying car project which it believes will lead to a vehicle which can be employed in a fuel saving ground mode and simultaneously allow it to avoid likely ambush sites, avoid land mines, cross rivers, and jump other impassible terrain. Affectionately call the “Transformer,” the vehicle is expected to get good gas mileage on the ground and while maintaining a reserve sufficient to fly when required.
Considering how difficult it is to navigate the freeways and airports these days, how much different can the business commute transportation mission and the combat transportation mission be? Yes, you can drive right up to our planes, and yes our current technology turbocharged twin engined Piper Senecas can get you close, but you still have to grab a taxi or limo to your final destination. The “Transformer” is a great idea and we are looking forward to implementing it in a civilian mode. If you have an interest in where the technology sits at this time, one such current craft is the Moller International SkyCar shown in the attached photo. (http://www.moller.com) What could be more fun?
