As someone who is currently getting his pilot's license, I wouldn't be comfortable sitting in a craft that abstracts flying to making "it seem like more of a car that is able to move in three dimensions." Regular pilots are well-versed in everything from weather, to emergency conditions, to physics of flight and practicing everything that can possibly go wrong. Not to mention interacting with other aircrafts. I really hope that they took this into account. It's very improbable that they didn't.
I am just scared that many drivers' feelings of entitlement being transferred to something that flies. People forget that a car is capable of injury and death and end up taking liberties behind the wheel. Then again, it might be psychologically different when you're actually flying.
I'm all for opening up aviation to a wider audience, but something doesn't smell right.
edit: Looks like they require a sport pilot license. I'm less worried now :)
You don't need to worry too much...unless they manage to get it under 254 pounds and qualify it as an ultralight, the FAA will still be the last word on the requirements to fly it.
Sport pilots are allowed to fly Light Sport planes. Light Sport planes can weigh up to 1320 lbs.
If you are interested in flying read some of Phillip Greenspun's stuff.
This airplane looks like it will be awesome. However, as someone who has grown up around aviation and is always looking at what's available and the new companies that are launching, this seems like another vaporware project. A big warning sign to me is the amount of press and publicity they're going after, but almost all their promotional images are CG mockups. If they're planning on mass-producing this thing in 2010, they should have flying models right now. Not saying it'll never happen, but don't be surprised if the price point and delivery date both change. I hope I'm wrong.
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[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 32.6 ms ] threadI am just scared that many drivers' feelings of entitlement being transferred to something that flies. People forget that a car is capable of injury and death and end up taking liberties behind the wheel. Then again, it might be psychologically different when you're actually flying.
I'm all for opening up aviation to a wider audience, but something doesn't smell right.
edit: Looks like they require a sport pilot license. I'm less worried now :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-sport_aircraft http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_certification_in_the_Unit...