- Jul 20, 2016
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With the big leaps in small, vertical take-off aircraft, the stage is set for commercial use. Uber announced that they plan to have an air taxi service ready for testing in 2020 and public use in Dallas (Tx) and LA by 2023.
Initially, the craft will operate from helipads and the regional airport. They have a projected speed of 150-200 miles per hour, with a range of 60 miles on one charge. Having spent a fair amount of time Dallas, I can definitely see why people would be interested in getting to and from the airport without going through the ground traffic hassle. Eventually, Uber thinks they will be able to land the craft in residential areas. I can see it now - a helipad at the grocery store parking lot. On the other hand, Uber has had its share of accidents, as have self-driving cars in general. I'm all for moving into the age of the Jetsons, but need a bit more reassurance on the safety side.
While researching this article, I came across an earlier one that showed other aircraft being considered. Oh my, there are some elegant versions with a strong resemblance to personal spacecraft. I think you all will enjoy looking at them.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/8/17331490/uber-flying-taxi-embraer-pipistrel-karem
The concept is all-electric, and seats four people plus a pilot, in single file in a slim, cylindrical body with large windows. The design, reminiscent of a catamaran, features streamlined nacelles suspended high on each side, on slender supports. These are the battery pods. On top of each, and atop two smaller, even farther outboard pods, sit stacked rotors, which provide the electric vertical lift for takeoff and landing. At the very back, where the tail would be on a conventional plane, a propeller faces forwards, ready to power horizontal flight. There’s just one door, on one side, to simplify ground operations. No need for extra steps or worrying about people exiting on the wrong side into an active landing pad. https://www.wired.com/story/uber-unveils-flying-taxi/
Initially, the craft will operate from helipads and the regional airport. They have a projected speed of 150-200 miles per hour, with a range of 60 miles on one charge. Having spent a fair amount of time Dallas, I can definitely see why people would be interested in getting to and from the airport without going through the ground traffic hassle. Eventually, Uber thinks they will be able to land the craft in residential areas. I can see it now - a helipad at the grocery store parking lot. On the other hand, Uber has had its share of accidents, as have self-driving cars in general. I'm all for moving into the age of the Jetsons, but need a bit more reassurance on the safety side.
While researching this article, I came across an earlier one that showed other aircraft being considered. Oh my, there are some elegant versions with a strong resemblance to personal spacecraft. I think you all will enjoy looking at them.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/8/17331490/uber-flying-taxi-embraer-pipistrel-karem