They were never meant to be?

[gyrokam]

We all stumble upon these old pics.. I was looking at an AOPA discussion on the aerocar (I know, I know, fixed wing...), wanted to see more pics. Clicked on this, clicked on that, and stumbled upon this beauty:

http://aviastar.org/foto/wagner_aerocar_1.jpg

http://aviastar.org/foto/wagner_aerocar.jpg

From the link: Wagner built a prototype (D-HAGU) of the Aerocar roadable helicopter, powered by a 260hp Franklin 6AS-335-B engine, which had a complete body shell with twin fins and four wheels linked to an automobile drive system for its ground transport role. It was first flown in 1965. It was subsequently rebuilt with a Turbomeca Oredon turbine engine.

After extensive development work had been carried out, the Wagner designs were passed to a new company, Helikopter Technik Munchen (HTM) in 1971. HTM abandoned the Aerocar
http://aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/wagner_aerocar.php

[Doug Riley]

Crossing an automobile with an aircraft is like making a health beverage by throwing salmon, orange juice and oatmeal into a blender. Sometimes things that are very good individually are not compatible.

Autos need to survive constant road bumps and the inevitable fender-benders. Aircraft need to be light and are therefore relatively delicate.

The most crash-worthy aircraft around is an easily-crushed, exploding death trap compared to a modern car. How would the rotorblades on that cute coaxial heli survive a few blocks' ride on a potholed street (especially since the landing gear obviously has little shock travel)?

The aircraft's usual propulsion method - basically creating a miniature hurricane -- won't cut it on a land vehicle, except maybe in the desert. For obvious reasons, the car's usual method won't work in the air.

All of the countless Popular Mechanics flying-car schemes have failed because the severe compromises in their designs make them either lousy cars, lousy airplanes, or both.

[hillberg]

Hows this one?

[WaspAir]

All of the countless Popular Mechanics flying-car schemes have failed because the severe compromises in their designs make them either lousy cars, lousy airplanes, or both.

In contrast, carrying an Air Friday folding bicycle in my aircraft involves very few compromises (it's a really nice riding bicycle), gets me around on the ground quite well after landing, and is much greener than the aircraft itself since it is powered by pasta, sushi, KFC, pizza, or whatever proves handy and appetizing.