The cartoon, ‘The Jetsons’, played on Saturday mornings when I was a kid. George Jetson, the dad, drives a flying car to work, and the car conveniently folds up into a suitcase when he arrives at the office. The year is 2062.
On his way to work, he drops off young Elroy at elementary school, daughter Judy at high school, and wife Jane at the shopping mall. Then George punches the clock at Spacely Space Sprockets, where he appears to be a salesman.
I didn’t think much, then, about how his car actually remained airborne. It didn’t have wings like an airplane, nor did it have rotor blades like a drone or helicopter.
It seems when you’re designing a kids’ cartoon, the laws of physics are optional. (But maybe those laws can actually be changed by 2062? If we have a functional Congress by then…)
The Jetsons needed a flying car in the future, because all the buildings were built on enormous stilts, to sit above the clouds. (The world down below is no place for a happy family in 2062.)
Alas, you and I are still stuck with some unfortunate obstacles to owning a flying car. Gravity, for one thing. Not that I’m knocking gravity, in general. It would be impossible to pour coffee, without gravity.
But I see where some folks are finally figuring out solutions to the flying car problem. One solution is a personal ‘vertical take-off and landing’ (VTOL) vehicle capable of flying about 40 miles on a full charge. (It’s powered by electricity, in keeping with a reduced-carbon future.) 40 miles wouldn’t quite get me to Durango… but what does Durango have, that we don’t have more of, here in Pagosa?
The manufacturer — Pivotal — is now taking orders and will begin shipping the ‘Helix eVTOL’ this summer. It’s based on a design developed by Canadian engineer Marcus Leng.
From their website:
You don’t need a pilot’s license, though there are some simple height, weight, and location requirements we’ll walk you through. If you meet the eligibility requirements, choose from three great packages starting at $190,000, with optional upgrades like custom exterior design, premium flight deck, and 4k camera with landing assist and sharing features.
The Helix payment schedule is in three installments. You’ll pay a refundable $9,000 initial deposit when you place the order, followed by a refundable $50,000 second deposit that allows you to secure the ship date for your aircraft and schedule your flight training at our Customer Center in Palo Alto. The final balance is due five days before your aircraft is scheduled to ship.
Did we mention, ‘flight training’? I took Drivers Ed in high school. Presumably, the curriculum will need to be updated.
Unlike George Jetson’s flying car, the Helix actually obeys the current laws of physics. As a result, it can accommodate only one person, weighing less than 230 pounds. (Thank you, Ozempic!)
How Elroy and Judy will get to school is not yet clear… But Jane no longer needs to visit the shopping mall, because shopping online is so much more convenient.
Which brings us to the main problem with flying cars. In the “Jetsons”, George flies his car to the office. The question being… why does he even need a flying car? Can’t he work from home? Like the rest of us?
The answer to that question is suggested by the Pivotal website.
You have just bought a $190,000 flying car. Obviously, you must be pretty wealthy. Maybe you’re retired… and you can now spend your afternoons cruising Colorado in your flying electric car, while your wife is home, shopping at online luxury outlet Moda Operandi.
Your kids? They graduated from college years ago. Unfortunately, they chalked up so much student debt, they will never be able to afford a flying car.
Underrated writer Louis Cannon grew up in the vast American West, although his ex-wife, given the slightest opportunity, will deny that he ever grew up at all.