Flying cars are something we have dreamed about for years – ever since they became prevalent in science fiction and the media or popularized by cartoons such as The Jetsons. Just imagine a flying Camry or Traverse that can rise above the highway traffic and fly into the infinite beyond. Sounds fantastic, right?
Not exactly. Experts believe that flying in a car could be far more dangerous than driving in one since there are several potential disasters that are just waiting to happen. Even Carl Dietrich, chief executive and co-founder of aerospace company Terrafugia, calls The Jetsons-inspired flying cars “science fiction.” Still not convinced? Keep reading to understand just how risky flying cars can really be.
Flying Isn’t For Everyone
When we think of flying, most people don’t find the experience all that pleasant. Flying is associated with long lines, tense security checks and a lot of waiting around, all of which ends up making a person stressed out and anxious. Despite the fact that flying is statistically safer than driving, it doesn’t feel that way, especially since the aircraft is in the hands of a third party rather than your own, like in the case of driving.
Furthermore, just like you have to learn to drive and get a licence, there will inevitably be an even longer and more complicated training process when it comes to flying. Since airspace lacks any visible “road marks” unlike, well, roads, a lot of extensive research will have to be conducted before we can fly as consumers.
Malfunction Means Death
When it comes to cars, breakdowns are inevitable. Your transmission can fail, your brake pads can go bad or your tires can lose their tread, all of which affect your driving experience adversely. When you are in a flying car, expect to have even more complicated technology and machinery in place, which means even more parts that can break down. While you can slow down and stop on the side of the road if your car breaks down, you are out of luck when flying in the air. If your engine fails, you could be at risk of a fatal crash.
Furthermore, if you are flying in an urban area, you have a high risk of crashing into a building or pedestrian site, harming even more people. Given all these risks, it is clear how flying cars have a long way to go before they can be a viable transport option for the general public.
Flying in Bad Weather is a No-No
Driving in inclement weather is itself frowned upon and not recommended, so think about the risks of flying when the weather is bad. At some point of time, everyone is faced with the problem of driving when it’s storming outside. Many unfortunately underestimate the adjustments needed in driving technique. Researchers and statisticians in the U.S. found that 24% of all crashes occur during adverse weather conditions, including ice, snow, and rain.
Adverse weather conditions can be described as conditions brought about by changes in weather requiring the driver to exercise special caution and adjust his normal driving behaviour. Such conditions include heavy rain, snow, hail, strong winds, fog and mist. They reduce visibility and limit the driver’s ability to steer safely or apply braking to the vehicle. As you have reduced visibility, steering ability and traction, travelling in bad weather could be disastrous, regardless of whether you are in a regular or flying car. If you’re in the air, it could be even tougher to come to a halt and land safely in case of an emergency, as you can’t simply hit the brakes and roll to a stop.
Final Word
While it’s fun to daydream and watch sci-fi movies where flying cars are the norm, it is likely we won’t see them in real life anytime soon due to the many safety risks involved. Perhaps as we move into the future, flying cars could be made possible via pilotless operation or improved safety mechanisms for landing in case of emergency, such as a strong parachute attachment. Until then, enjoy your car as it stays on its four wheels. No flying Honda Civics for now. Sorry!
