In the early 1970's hovercraft cars were the 'future' rage – deal with the bumper to bumper traffic, beat the rush .... and today, it's flying cars according to a recent news report.
Growing up as with most children, part of the reading material were wonderful stories of the magic carpet and how one could sit and he whisked away to a far away place without a single hair being out of place!
Then as a young man in the '70s this had progressed to hovercraft cars as at that time these remarkable hovercraft machines could skid across waterways and mangroves, with the next obvious traffic solution, city congestion.
The imagery was graphic. The presentations full of adventure, excitement and progress, being on the cusp of a new age in personalised travel. No longer one needed to get in the family car, rather it was the hovercraft. Kids belted up, mum's hat tied down and dad the adventure pilot come driver.
The motion video presentations were dramatic. Hovercraft fan blades below and behind – the uplift perfectly balanced – the reverse and forward leavers easy to function for smooth manoeuvrings – and off you'd all go with a frightful breezy noise!
And that was only the beginning. Imagine taxi services, all lined up, the one in front blowing the one behind it off its mooring and so on down the line. Then the light van and tradies hovercrafts – these were something else. In typical form, rushing hither and thither from one 'fix-it' job to another. Gardens pulverized with every visit. Then the semi-trailers were something else, the rear wagon weaving about in the wind, exciting what!
Surprise surprise, the outcomes didn't quite measure up to the literature and promotions. A very good idea yet difficult to implement.
Now Flying Cars
Quoting directly from the above article -
To combat traffic problems across the globe as a result of increasing urbanisation in megacities, Airbus has wild plan. "Techies in Silicon Valley invent hi-tech products every day. However, they still do not have a solution for one of their biggest problems: rush hour," Airbus wrote on its website.
"In response, Airbus Group experts are looking skywards to develop radical concepts that will relieve urban congestion." The aircraft manufacturer said it had experts pursuing a project, known as vahana, to develop autonomous flying vehicles. Project executive Rodin Lyasoff said the company hopes to test the first vehicle prototype by the end of 2017.
"Many of the technologies needed, such as batteries, motors and avionics are most of the way there," he said. "[Adding sense-and-avoid technology is] one of the bigger challenges we aim to resolve as early as possible."
There we are – and further
Airbus chief executive Tom Enders said a network of flying taxis might sound like science fiction, but he strongly believed the vision was already taking shape. "I'm no big fan of Star Wars, but it's not crazy to imagine that one day our big cities will have flying cars making their way along roads in the sky," he said. "In a not too distant future, we'll use our smartphones to book a fully automated flying taxi that will land outside our front door — without any pilot."
Church car park - landing strips
Imagine Hillsong with its 17,000 worshippers. Forget the sermon, the car park attendants like aircraft marshals would be waving their flight sticks about, waving each flying car to a stand still. Like the recent driver-less car initiations, flying cars would be something else.
Now focus on the after church routine. The Hillsong air traffic controller would have his hands full after the church service. 1000 flying cars an hour. One might be around for quite a while if you were the the 17,000th flying car. Sounds like a bit of a long wait, 17 hours. The classic late lunch.
Be that as it may, big time I'm in - I think I could handle a flying car.
Scenario 1 - Computer engaged with GPS from Tweed Heads to Melbourne. "Flying Car 1743 to Control – destination digitally logged – flight path received". Response - "Flying Car 1743 free to proceed."
Scenario 2 – Computer engaged with GPS to Shopping Centre. "Flying Car 1743 to Control – destination digitally logged – flight path received". "Response - "Flying Car 1743 – proceed to shopping centre parking lot No 147" (displayed on GPS).
But how would the bad guys get on, police chasers and the like. What about minister pastoral visits, first house 1 Bay Street – set computer; second home visit 2 blocks further on, re-set computer; Buck Rogers eat your heart out! Hold on – doesn't The Revelation talks about this stuff ???
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html