Is The Jetson’s Flying Car Finally Here?

“Where’s my flying car?” — a question we’ve all been asking since the early 60’s, thanks to the ideas put in our heads by the creators of The Jetsons. When can we hop into our car-looking plane (or plane-acting car) and zip off into sky highways? Who knows what’s even happening on the ground?!

It appears that our childhood dreams may actually come true. Within the next two years, the flying car may be coming to a sky-road near you. While the reality of these new flying cars might not be exactly what the Jetsons flew around in, it’s going to be pretty close.

Consumer-Friendly Flying Cars in the Works

Developers of one version of the flying car (yes there’s been quite a few to date), are trying to make one that’s more practical for consumers. While most auto manufacturers are currently engaged in the race for self-driving cars, they might be in a similar race for self-flying cars in a decade or two.

The model we’re referring to has been dubbed the “TF-X” concept. This machine is a four-seat, plug-in hybrid that makes vertical take-offs and landings. Although the machine is not driverless, the TF-X is being made to reduce the level of human control needed to operate it…meaning you won’t need to be a licensed pilot to take it out for a ride.

Here are some Jetson car-like features of the TF-X:

• Carries four people in “normal” car-like comfort
• Has a 500 mile non-stop flight range
• Can be parked in the standard single-car garage
• Can be driven on the ground when conditions prevent flight, just like a regular car

What About A Pilot’s License?

You may be wondering how the average person can handle a vehicle that’s basically half car, half airplane without special training? Automation. The vehicle is designed with a computer that’s plugged into a data network that will take over some of the duties licensed pilots normally handle. Flight planning, co-ordination with air traffic control, etc. will be handled by the network.

As far as in-flight controls, the driver will provide very basic commands. Take off. Fly here. Start landing. The TF-X built-in computer system will manage the throttle, engage and disengage vertical mode, adjust altitude (as instructed by the data network), etc.

Yet while flight will be highly automated, drivers/pilots of the TF-X will still play a crucial role in the operation of this – or any other – flying car. They would have to make very critical decisions for a safe take off and landing, as well as approving the landing zone ahead of time. Basically, anything that happens on the ground is going to be dependent on the driver’s judgment.

Reality vs Sci-Fi

First the bad news. If you are feeling excited by the prospect of just lifting off and zooming away from a traffic jam, you’re about to be disappointed. This aspect of the flying car is still very much science fiction — and could always just be an idea that lives in our dreams.

The lift-offs require a lot air blow down, which would likely damage surrounding cars. Vehicles like the TF-X would need airports, helipads, and completely clear areas the size of a basketball court to take off and land.

Terrafugia expects to start shipping their first flying car to customers by the second half of 2016. The first round of vehicles, called the Transition, will require considerable training. Operators will need a sport pilot’s license — which takes about 30-35 hours of training to get.

However, the TF-X (which is an advanced version of the transition) is said to only require about 5 hours of training to operate. TF-X training would include control instructions, take off and landing training, and what to do in the event of an emergency. This model is still about 12 years out and pricing is unknown — but it will be expensive at first. As demand increases and the manufacturer is able to buy materials in larger quantities, cost might come down slightly.

So basically, the Terrafugia Transition is phase one of the flying car and the TF-X is undergoing development to make it the Jetson’s car of your dreams. Between now and the TF-X’s debut date, we can only hope that someone invents Rosie the robot made and teaches dogs to talk.