VTOLs a reality and a viable solution?

[Carpediem44DB]

There are dozens of electric VTOL start ups out there trying to replace cars as a viable soluton for urban transportation. Does anyone actually think these vehicles will come to fruition and become available to the masses?
I think the idea is cool and for the uber wealthy to have as a toy, is fine but for people to think that a solution to global warming and traffic congestion are electric flying taxis at scale is just plain folly. Are the operators going to need FAA private or commercial licenses to fly these vehicles? Will they be able to be flown at night or in the weather? Will they need to integrate into the traffic control system? Will they be allowed to operate in neighborhoods right from a standard driveway? Already every day there are multiple small aircraft accidents that are reported and the safety to the public is often called in to question. This will be an interesting topic to watch but I see millions of dollars in investment and tax credits being sent down a rat hole with very little actual benefit to the tax payers as a whole.
What do you guys think? I sent most of my adult life in GA and live just down the road from Mohler that has been working on VTOL flying car concepts for 40 years with really no viable vehicle coming out of it.
I get the idea that technological advancement takes pioneers and dreamers and all but I just wonder if it is realistic to think this will be a viable solution.
4 Wings 8 Electric Motors: Will eVTOL ‘Axe’ Personal Airplane Replace Cars? (msn.com)
Carpe Diem

 

[highslice]

There are dozens of electric VTOL start ups out there trying to replace cars as a viable soluton for urban transportation. Does anyone actually think these vehicles will come to fruition and become available to the masses?
I think the idea is cool and for the uber wealthy to have as a toy, is fine but for people to think that a solution to global warming and traffic congestion are electric flying taxis at scale is just plain folly. Are the operators going to need FAA private or commercial licenses to fly these vehicles? Will they be able to be flown at night or in the weather? Will they need to integrate into the traffic control system? Will they be allowed to operate in neighborhoods right from a standard driveway? Already every day there are multiple small aircraft accidents that are reported and the safety to the public is often called in to question. This will be an interesting topic to watch but I see millions of dollars in investment and tax credits being sent down a rat hole with very little actual benefit to the tax payers as a whole.
What do you guys think? I sent most of my adult life in GA and live just down the road from Mohler that has been working on VTOL flying car concepts for 40 years with really no viable vehicle coming out of it.
I get the idea that technological advancement takes pioneers and dreamers and all but I just wonder if it is realistic to think this will be a viable solution.
4 Wings 8 Electric Motors: Will eVTOL ‘Axe’ Personal Airplane Replace Cars? (msn.com)
Carpe Diem

I just don't see it as being viable for the masses. There's so many logistical issues to work out that if it does become viable, I can't see it in my life time. That said, these would be a great tool for thinning the herd. Darwinism at it's finest.

 

[yobub]

@Carpediem44DB the timing of your post is coincidental. The Chicago Tribune had an article about this concept today:
Helicopter ‘simulations’ in Tinley Park could pave way for electric flying vehicles, 15-minute air commute
https://www.chicagotribune.com/subu...0220909-wkjqzi4nlneothbgfe2ywzh72a-story.html

 

[Carpediem44DB]

United airlines just committed 15 million bucks to VTOL taxis to transport customers from the cities out to the airports to catch their flights. That is some serious coin to cough up for a pipe dream. It just seems so early to see mainstream companies investing in it but what do I know? Of course those that are spending the money are spending other peoples money as usual. I doubt the CEO of United has a big chunk of his own portfolio at risk.

 

[Halfhitch]

Someone better invent a tow truck for these things.

 

[DWABoat]

I just got caught in a storm yesterday while driving that would have blown those little birds miles off course if not into the trees. Many 4000 lb four-wheels on the ground cars had to pull over.
I can see if computers took care off all the technical flying skill issues, GPS with a mapping program would have to handle navigation. Something like the Waze App would have to provide lots of updates on weather, crashes, and other hazards. Let’s face it, no way our current bag of skill-less drivers could handle 360 degrees of attention demand - they can’t even look straight ahead and drive.
So, if that little thing was totally computer controlled and linked to the Terminator SkyNet style network (which is on the way), and the weather was perfect, then I guess it may work for some.
For me - I hate flying and swore it off years ago.

 

[highslice]

United airlines just committed 15 million bucks to VTOL taxis to transport customers from the cities out to the airports to catch their flights. That is some serious coin to cough up for a pipe dream. It just seems so early to see mainstream companies investing in it but what do I know? Of course those that are spending the money are spending other peoples money as usual. I doubt the CEO of United has a big chunk of his own portfolio at risk.

That's just a corporation wanting to look "woke" and climate friendly. $15M is like a quarter to you and me.

 

[Tucker K5]

I have a pretty expensive drone and flight time on it is only 20 minutes per battery and the battery is the only cargo.
It stands to reason to me that nothing will improve with scale. The bigger the battery the bigger the drone and the bigger the battery again. I don’t know if it ever gets to a point of carrying 200 pound of extra cargo and if it does it may be as big as a commercial jet.

Edit: Electric forklifts have been around for probably as long as I have been alive.
Lithium battery is just starting to make its way into this market and they cost an extra $10k and don’t run any longer.
I’m only making the switch for the maintenance savings.