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GuyThiebaut wrote: When thinking of driving, my last desire is for the car to leave the surface of the road, yet the Tesla fans seem to like this idea
Yes, only backwards-flat-earther, luddites who know nothing of technology would say something against flying cars. Same thing for EVs. Anyone who knows anything about tech knows that electric flying car is the optimal solution and anyone who says it's not so are dumber than the rocks they keep drilling through to get oil. 
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Most people can't handle the two dimensions of road driving. They'll never figure out three-dimensional driving.
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raddevus wrote: electric flying car is the optimal solution and anyone who says it's not so are dumber than the rocks they keep drilling through to get oil. 
As someone who is dumber than rocks, I would like to counter your assertion.
In order to gain altitude, or maintain an altitude, you need a lot of energy to counter the opposing force of gravity. Which requires more energy? A car parked on the ground running at idle, or a helicopter hovering 50 ft. in the air? I'd say that the helicopter is expending more energy than the car parked on the ground idling.
Consider battery technology. There has been great progress, but modern batteries are heavy. Given how heavy batteries are in relation to the amount of energy that they produce prohibit them from use in operating aircraft. Sure, I've seen aircraft prototypes that are powered by electricity. It's a neat concept, but I can't see how it would be practical with today's technology.
I would love to have a car that flies, and with all of the highways in the sky, it would revolutionize transportation. One day, we will have the technology to build electrically powered aircraft that are practical and efficient. I don't know when that will be, but it will happen.
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As someone who is dumber than rocks permit me to state :
re/ helicopter hovering : Presumably flying cars have no need to hover. Will traffic lights or STOP signs be placed up in the sky? 
re/ heavy battery : Consider H2 as a fuel. Such a gas bag is light and may even provide lift.
re/ electric car is the optimal solution : I assume it was meant in jest. 
re/ this post : Likewise. 
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I've seen several threads posted here related to aviation. I'm curious, do you have an interest in flight, like I do?
From as far back as I can remember, I've been infatuated with anything that flies. My father worked at Boeing as an Aeronautical Engineer. If I had a nickel for every aviation question that I asked my dad, I could buy a corporate jet.
We would go to the airport and watch planes all the time. If I was drawing a picture, it would be of a bird or an airplane. I had an obsession with birds. I had several bird books that I'd look through for hours. It was all so magical to me.
In 2005 or so, I took my first flying lesson. I initially considered becoming an airline pilot, so I attended an airline training academy in case I chose to make it a career. I stopped short of getting my Airline Transport Pilot rating.
I still love flying planes. The aircraft I enjoy flying the most is an ultralight. It's basically a hang-glider with an engine. I've heard that flying a glider is the best, but I haven't yet done that.
I want to go hang-gliding, but it's super dangerous. I like jumping out of airplanes, but only with a parachute. That's also dangerous, but it's also so fun! 
What about you? What do you think of aviation? Do you enjoy flying?
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You are not alone. Back in the late 60s, my dad would take us to the airport in Raleigh. They had a balcony that overlooked the taxi and run ways. We would watch for hours... the best part (for me) was the jet fuel exhaust. About as close as I came to being a polite was when I got bit by the sailplane bug. Was seriously considering that, but needed to feed the family first.
Charlie Gilley
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
Has never been more appropriate.
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charlieg wrote: You are not alone.
That's nice to know. I'm glad for that. 
charlieg wrote: They had a balcony that overlooked the taxi and run ways. We would watch for hours...
Yes, for hours and hours. The last time I visited the airport to watch planes take off and land was just a few years ago. I loved it. When I was a kid, I'd bring along my telescope and binoculars. Nowadays, bringing a telescope, binoculars, and even a camera can grab the attention of the police. It's not illegal to use those things at a non-military airport, but I know many people who have been hassled by the police for taking photos. Some people actually make a living from taking photos of airliners. The largest aviation photography site that I know of is https://airliners.net, and if you take a look at its number of members, you'll see how popular aviation photography is.
charlieg wrote: the best part (for me) was the jet fuel exhaust.
I know. That's my favorite. I've probably lost a few brain cells from the aroma of avgas in my time. Jet fuel used by airliners is my favorite. It's got that hint of kerosine that I love. It's usually called Jet-A. JP-8 which is the fuel used in many fighter jets is just as good. I wish there was a Jet-A fuel cologne you could buy. Imagine one of those cologne commercials you see on TV. ...Aviation Turbine Fuel Eau De Toilette, A Fragrance For Men, by Boeing.
charlieg wrote: About as close as I came to being a polite was when I got bit by the sailplane bug.
Yes, I hear that often. Gliders/Sailplanes seem to be the overall favorite by a long shot.
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Mircea Neacsu wrote: If interested, I can also recommend an aviation hair dryer: Princess Juliana International Airport - Wikipedia[^]
Oh, yes! St. Maarten Airport! I'd move there and live on the beach if I could. And all the videos on YouTube -- I've spent hours watching them. It's fascinating.
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I tried to do the “hair dryer” thing but, when the jet went full blast, I chickened out and dropped down
Mircea
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Mircea Neacsu wrote: I tried to do the “hair dryer” thing but, when the jet went full blast, I chickened out and dropped down
I can't blame you for that. Some of those videos showing 747s on approach are unbelievable. I envy you for the fact that you've actually been there.
Do you ever watch videos of 747s landing in strong crosswinds at Hong Kong's airport? Those are the best. My uncle flew 747s out of Hong Kong after retiring from the Royal Air Force in the UK. He was a fighter pilot and flew the English Electric Lightning. Sometimes my aunt and nephew would stand on the beach and watch him fly by. Each time he flew by, and he knew they would be watching, he'd do this great big loop. My cousin was a young kid at the time and he absolutely loved it. Now, my cousin works as an airline pilot. Go figure.
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As you come out of the National Airport in Washington, DC to go towards the city, there is a place with a parking lot where you can pull in and watch the airliners come in for landing. Awesome, close views of the planes!
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Steve Raw wrote: Aviation Turbine Fuel Eau De Toilette, A Fragrance For Men, by Boeing.
With a lid that falls off.
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
-- 6079 Smith W.
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I love to fly.
While in the service I was able to do a lot of flying, mostly helicopters, but others types as well.
If you can't find time to do it right the first time, how are you going to find time to do it again?
PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - Release Version 1.4.0 (Many new features) JaxCoder.com
Latest Article: EventAggregator
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Mike Hankey wrote: I love to fly.
Nice!
Mike Hankey wrote: While in the service I was able to do a lot of flying, mostly helicopters, but others types as well.
The military offers the best flight training you can get. I seriously contemplated joining the service out of high school for that reason. The problem I had with that is that you need to have a 4-year college degree to fly fixed-wing aircraft in the military. As for flying helicopters, I remember hearing that a college degree isn't required. I don't know. What type of helicopters did you fly? The Apache would be my pick. When the Apache was produced by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), I remember my dad mentioning that he had done some engineering work on several of its systems. I was in awe.
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I didn't fly them< I was transported to areas that I didn't want to be.
If you can't find time to do it right the first time, how are you going to find time to do it again?
PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - Release Version 1.4.0 (Many new features) JaxCoder.com
Latest Article: EventAggregator
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Mike Hankey wrote: I didn't fly them< I was transported to areas that I didn't want to be.
Ah, Okay. I misunderstood. Either way, I respect that you served regardless of what you did.
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Thanks, at the time I didn't have much choice.
If you can't find time to do it right the first time, how are you going to find time to do it again?
PartsBin an Electronics Part Organizer - Release Version 1.4.0 (Many new features) JaxCoder.com
Latest Article: EventAggregator
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For about 8 years I worked for an airline company (in IT) and some of the flying stuff rubbed off me. Seems that somehow all my life I’ve been doing software related to things that move: planes, cars, boats, subs, you name it.
Mircea
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I'm really glad to see that we have many aviation enthusiasts in this forum.
Mircea Neacsu wrote: For about 8 years I worked for an airline company (in IT) and some of the flying stuff rubbed off me. Seems that somehow all my life I’ve been doing software related to things that move: planes, cars, boats, subs, you name it.
How was your experience while working in the airline industry? Both my dad and sister have worked in the industry, and they underwent difficulty due to its volatile nature. Boeing, Gates Learjet, Bombardier, and McDonnell Douglas were all the same. The company would complete a contract, and then lay off half the employees. When a new contact came in, they'd hire back. It was ridiculous.
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What impressed me most was the camaraderie, what the French call the “esprit de corps”. It might hark back to the years of Saint-Exupery’s “Night Flight” (IMO required reading for any aviation buff), but if you were flying ZED fare, almost everyone would look at you as being somewhat part of the same family and try to help you. I still have many good friends from that time.
Mircea
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Mircea Neacsu wrote: What impressed me most was the camaraderie, what the French call the “esprit de corps”. It might hark back to the years of Saint-Exupery’s “Night Flight” (IMO required reading for any aviation buff), but if you were flying ZED fare, almost everyone would look at you as being somewhat part of the same family and try to help you. I still have many good friends from that time.
When my sister worked for American Airlines, I could fly standby to Dallas for the price of a cheeseburger. It was great!
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In a previous life, I was an aircraft mechanic for an airline (veteran USAF mechanic). 3 of us were going to buy and share an older 4 seater. I signed up for lessons.
First lesson, instructor is a no show.
Figured:
1. Bad Omen.
2. As mistake-prone as I am, bad idea.
Got married, had kids.
End of flying career.
>64
It’s weird being the same age as old people. Live every day like it is your last; one day, it will be.
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The nearest I've been to aerospace is sitting in a commercial jetliner.
Had the opportunity to once fly in an Airbus 380; and was allotted the last seat in economy in the aircraft, below the tail; all other seats in the last row were empty during the flight. Requested the crew to allow me to briefly go to the upper floor just to see, and they obliged.
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I'd like to see that. I've never been on the second floor of an aircraft.
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