THE BOEING FLYING CAR SKY COMMUTER PROGRAM
A prototype from the Sky Commuter program that Boeing evidently sunk $6 million into back in the 1980s. The program was stopped presumably because the concept didn't fly and this is the only surviving piece of hardware. Of all the flying car concepts seen this one appears to be one of the most viable designs. It's lightweight, compact, and looks nicely balanced, with a single horizontal fan out front and two aft.
The Boeing program failed most likely from technological limitations in both power and control, the two essentials of vertical-takeoff and landing vehicles. The craft evidently conducted hover tests, but not much more.
The same limitations that existed then exist in that hardware now, so all you'd achieve is a low hover and the strong likelihood of a crash if you could build it from a kit (as someone had on Ebay in 2007).
All this aside, this thing's a beauty.... elegant, seemingly very well-built, and rich in history. That canopy alone is a work of art. |