Uber Air
Uber's cars were still conventional, as were the drivers. All they did was change the way the cars were booked.
Aerial taxis is a totally different system, and if we made the Pollies be the first to use the system, we will either never get a system (whew!) or get rid of the Pollies. Either way is a win.
Aerial taxis is a totally different system, and if we made the Pollies be the first to use the system, we will either never get a system (whew!) or get rid of the Pollies. Either way is a win.
The imagination of Man is purely limited by the boundless limitations of his brain!
This is a backward step if we have to share.
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While nominally true, it is misleading at best. There is a lot of Hydrogen on the planet. Most of it exists as part of a water molecule. Most folks understand that water has exactly zero value as a fuel. To liberate the hydrogen from the water so that it can be used as fuel requires the input of energy. To the point, it requires the input of more energy than can be recovered by burning (or otherwise utilizing) that fuel. In other words, a net loss of energy. When someone says, in the context of fuel; "Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe" they either don't understand chemistry well enough to understand that the statement is pretty much meaningless, or they do, and are being intentionally deceitful.
Last edited by A Squared; 5th Jul 2019 at 08:24.
While nominally true, it is misleading at best. There is a lot of Hydrogen on the planet. Most of it exists as part of a water molecule. Most folks understand that water has exactly zero value as a fuel. To liberate the hydrogen from the water so that it can be used as fuel requires the input of energy, more to the point it requires the input of more energy than can be recovered by burning (or otherwise utilizing) that fuel. In other words, a net loss of energy. When someone says, in the context of fuel; "Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe" they either don't understand chemistry well enough to understand that the statement is pretty much meaningless, or they do, and are being intentionally deceitful.
Folks,
Don't be so pessimistic ---- but the $$$$ of hydogen as a fuel is always assumes to depend on cheap renewable power --- also somewhat illusory, so far.
BUT --- the work done by (among others in Australia) UNSW on hydrogen carried and handled as ammonia, and the hydrogen released from ammonia by their (patented) fuel cell is looking very promising.
Even the Cth Public Service have been forced out of their slumbers by the pollies on this one.
Here's hoping, because the theory and pilot practice is really looking good --- another "WiFi", maybe.
Tootle pip!!
Don't be so pessimistic ---- but the $$$$ of hydogen as a fuel is always assumes to depend on cheap renewable power --- also somewhat illusory, so far.
BUT --- the work done by (among others in Australia) UNSW on hydrogen carried and handled as ammonia, and the hydrogen released from ammonia by their (patented) fuel cell is looking very promising.
Even the Cth Public Service have been forced out of their slumbers by the pollies on this one.
Here's hoping, because the theory and pilot practice is really looking good --- another "WiFi", maybe.
Tootle pip!!
My issue is not with the power source or the viability of the craft, time and money will overcome the issues.
The Uber air machine still needs to land and take off on something around the size of two tennis courts or thereabouts. Where in the suburbs is this place? Where in the CBD can it land that does not involve a long walk to anywhere?
As we keep saying, a helicopter can already do these things but no one is using them regularly, including the super rich.
The Uber air machine still needs to land and take off on something around the size of two tennis courts or thereabouts. Where in the suburbs is this place? Where in the CBD can it land that does not involve a long walk to anywhere?
As we keep saying, a helicopter can already do these things but no one is using them regularly, including the super rich.
Last edited by Icarus2001; 6th Jul 2019 at 06:34.
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Yes. This. Isn't it odd that everyone suddenly starts talking about something else when this is brought up. Innovations and future technology be damned, we have right now, today, devices which in broad strokes already are capable of doing what these future technological innovations are predicted to be able to do .... and nobody is flying around the cities in them in significant quantities.
The current system was not designed for Suburbia helicopter flights - how long to take off in my R66 to say the casino for lunch if I say lets go now?
Same as turbines are no good on 10 minute sectors requiring engine shut down.
Some rough numbers. Just back of the napkin calculations.
Route Melbourne/Yarra heliport to Airport would possibly the main route. Flight time10 mins. Turnaround-5 mins.
Someone said 5 pax per trip. If 500 pax each way between 6am and 6 pm. That's 100 flights each way over 12 hours.
So including if you include the return flights, that would be more than one drone over your house if you live along the flight path every 4 minutes between 6am and 6 pm. These things will not be quiet. That's a busy air corridor. No idea on the number of drones required to achieve 200 flights a day. Are my figures reasonable?
The sort of clientele that would use this service would be from Asia with big suitcases going to the Casino to gamble.
Route Melbourne/Yarra heliport to Airport would possibly the main route. Flight time10 mins. Turnaround-5 mins.
Someone said 5 pax per trip. If 500 pax each way between 6am and 6 pm. That's 100 flights each way over 12 hours.
So including if you include the return flights, that would be more than one drone over your house if you live along the flight path every 4 minutes between 6am and 6 pm. These things will not be quiet. That's a busy air corridor. No idea on the number of drones required to achieve 200 flights a day. Are my figures reasonable?
The sort of clientele that would use this service would be from Asia with big suitcases going to the Casino to gamble.
Some rough numbers. Just back of the napkin calculations.
Route Melbourne/Yarra heliport to Airport would possibly the main route. Flight time10 mins. Turnaround-5 mins.
Someone said 5 pax per trip. If 500 pax each way between 6am and 6 pm. That's 100 flights each way over 12 hours.
So including if you include the return flights, that would be more than one drone over your house if you live along the flight path every 4 minutes between 6am and 6 pm. These things will not be quiet. That's a busy air corridor. No idea on the number of drones required to achieve 200 flights a day. Are my figures reasonable?
The sort of clientele that would use this service would be from Asia with big suitcases going to the Casino to gamble.
Route Melbourne/Yarra heliport to Airport would possibly the main route. Flight time10 mins. Turnaround-5 mins.
Someone said 5 pax per trip. If 500 pax each way between 6am and 6 pm. That's 100 flights each way over 12 hours.
So including if you include the return flights, that would be more than one drone over your house if you live along the flight path every 4 minutes between 6am and 6 pm. These things will not be quiet. That's a busy air corridor. No idea on the number of drones required to achieve 200 flights a day. Are my figures reasonable?
The sort of clientele that would use this service would be from Asia with big suitcases going to the Casino to gamble.
Will skip your racist remark as I have seen many non-Asians with big suitcases and much larger bodies travel on all modes of transport. Europe excels with size of bags other countries with body bulk and arrogance.
Was Packers "I will toss you for it" comment in a casino true?
Bend a lot, it was not intended as a racist remark, just an observation of the demographic of patrons at the Casino and I know they used to (and assume it's still happening) fly wealthy people down to have a gamble.
As for the many landing pads above intersections, we haven't even got rid of level railway crossings yet and that system is used by many thousands of people per day. If this is to occur it would have to be sponsored by someone with a lot of cash.
Taxpayer? Hope not..
This sort of reminds me of the idea of everyone zooming around on a Segway.
As for the many landing pads above intersections, we haven't even got rid of level railway crossings yet and that system is used by many thousands of people per day. If this is to occur it would have to be sponsored by someone with a lot of cash.
Taxpayer? Hope not..
This sort of reminds me of the idea of everyone zooming around on a Segway.
Bend a lot, it was not intended as a racist remark, just an observation of the demographic of patrons at the Casino and I know they used to (and assume it's still happening) fly wealthy people down to have a gamble.
As for the many landing pads above intersections, we haven't even got rid of level railway crossings yet and that system is used by many thousands of people per day. If this is to occur it would have to be sponsored by someone with a lot of cash.
Taxpayer? Hope not..
This sort of reminds me of the idea of everyone zooming around on a Segway.
As for the many landing pads above intersections, we haven't even got rid of level railway crossings yet and that system is used by many thousands of people per day. If this is to occur it would have to be sponsored by someone with a lot of cash.
Taxpayer? Hope not..
This sort of reminds me of the idea of everyone zooming around on a Segway.
And also unlikely it will start (or trial) in Australia.
Was Packers "I will toss you for it" comment in a casino true?
Suitcases and helicopters / flying cars are not really compatible. Look at the CGI models of these things, a bare shell with 5 people in them, laughing as they play with their iPads. No space for the battery pack or retractable gear, much less a suitcase full of casino chips.
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Most technology advances over time have evolved from so called dumb ideas, someone always paves the way. The uber air taxi we are focused on here is probably the tip of the iceberg. The rate technology advances nowadays i think i will keep an open mind
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XTI Aircraft
XTI Aircraft
US start-up XTI Aircraft has launched the next round of funding for its TriFan 600 ducted-fan, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) business aircraft, as it prepares to fly a 60% scale model of the six-seat type in October.
Around $4 million in finance has been drawn to date from XTI founder and chairman David Brody, private equity investors and crowd-funding stakeholders.
“We are now hoping to raise about $25 million to fund development of a full-scale prototype and to procure parts and materials for the second aircraft,” says XTI chief executive Robert LaBelle.
The Denver, Colorado-based company is now in talks with private investors and undisclosed “large aerospace companies” that are interested in establishing strategic partnerships in the programme.
“We hope to close this funding round by year-end, and fly the initial full-scale TriFan in the second half of 2020,” says LaBelle. Two more funding rounds are planned in 2020 and 2021, which should raise sufficient capital to complete development and bring the TriFan to market in 2022.
LaBelle describes the aircraft’s progress as “extraordinary”. XTI completed the TriFan’s preliminary design review in June, seven months after its launch, and the company is now poised to fly the scale model. “We have demonstrated to our investors that we can execute on an aggressive schedule,” says LaBelle.
The 60% scale model has been built in an undisclosed location, where initial testing will also be performed. “We will do hover checks in October, and then move the aircraft in November to an authorised testing site for unmanned vehicles,” says LaBelle.
Here it will undergo aerodynamic testing and demonstrate transitions from vertical to horizontal flight. The data from these evaluations will be incorporated into the design of the full-scale prototype.
LaBelle points out that the scale model will be electrically driven, as the hybrid-electric system – which is being developed in partnership with Bye Aerospace – is still in its critical design phase. “We plan to freeze this design in around six months,” he says.
The TriFan 600’s propulsion system uses three ducted fans, each driven by two battery-powered electric motors. The entire system is powered by a single Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft.
This aircraft is designed to be extremely cost-efficient, says LaBelle. With a projected range of around 1,200nm (2,220km) it can perform long-range missions, “not just urban transport, which many of the eVTOL programmes currently in development are focused on”.
XTI has secured 64 orders for the TriFan to date from customers in Australia, Brazil, Europe, India, Japan, the UAE and the USA. Another sale will be announced later this month, says LaBelle. “We need to get the TriFan out there as we have customers waiting.”
XTI Aircraft
US start-up XTI Aircraft has launched the next round of funding for its TriFan 600 ducted-fan, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) business aircraft, as it prepares to fly a 60% scale model of the six-seat type in October.
Around $4 million in finance has been drawn to date from XTI founder and chairman David Brody, private equity investors and crowd-funding stakeholders.
“We are now hoping to raise about $25 million to fund development of a full-scale prototype and to procure parts and materials for the second aircraft,” says XTI chief executive Robert LaBelle.
The Denver, Colorado-based company is now in talks with private investors and undisclosed “large aerospace companies” that are interested in establishing strategic partnerships in the programme.
“We hope to close this funding round by year-end, and fly the initial full-scale TriFan in the second half of 2020,” says LaBelle. Two more funding rounds are planned in 2020 and 2021, which should raise sufficient capital to complete development and bring the TriFan to market in 2022.
LaBelle describes the aircraft’s progress as “extraordinary”. XTI completed the TriFan’s preliminary design review in June, seven months after its launch, and the company is now poised to fly the scale model. “We have demonstrated to our investors that we can execute on an aggressive schedule,” says LaBelle.
The 60% scale model has been built in an undisclosed location, where initial testing will also be performed. “We will do hover checks in October, and then move the aircraft in November to an authorised testing site for unmanned vehicles,” says LaBelle.
Here it will undergo aerodynamic testing and demonstrate transitions from vertical to horizontal flight. The data from these evaluations will be incorporated into the design of the full-scale prototype.
LaBelle points out that the scale model will be electrically driven, as the hybrid-electric system – which is being developed in partnership with Bye Aerospace – is still in its critical design phase. “We plan to freeze this design in around six months,” he says.
The TriFan 600’s propulsion system uses three ducted fans, each driven by two battery-powered electric motors. The entire system is powered by a single Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft.
This aircraft is designed to be extremely cost-efficient, says LaBelle. With a projected range of around 1,200nm (2,220km) it can perform long-range missions, “not just urban transport, which many of the eVTOL programmes currently in development are focused on”.
XTI has secured 64 orders for the TriFan to date from customers in Australia, Brazil, Europe, India, Japan, the UAE and the USA. Another sale will be announced later this month, says LaBelle. “We need to get the TriFan out there as we have customers waiting.”
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Cool, more slick CGI rendering of something that hasn't even been built yet, let alone flown. Reminiscent of the Moller Sky Car. Production was always just around the corner (for 5 decades) there was an impressive list of performance specs (Better than King Air Speed altitude, range) but it never was able to do anything but hover in ground effect. Yet still, Moller spent a lifetime living off of investors while never producing anything. There is indeed one born every minute.