what we have been waiting for

[Bill Thompson]

Flying transportation that fits in our garage. This is what we have been waiting for since we were kids and we were watching men walk on the moon, or The Jetsons:

www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-25000-flying-motorcycle

[PhantomWolf]

Doesn't look like it'd be must good if it was raining.

[Bill Thompson]

phantomwolf said:

Doesn't look like it'd be must good if it was raining.

Same with all motorcycles and people still use motorcycles.

Besides, can't all aircraft fly in the rain?

[echnaton]

Its interesting that the top rotor is unpowered. That must simplify the design, but don’t try to hover over the nude beach to look at the scenery.

[Al Johnston]

Hmm, in what way is it "a cross between a motorcycle and an autogyro" and not just an ordinary autogyro?

[Tanalia]

The only motorcycle in it are some of the parts and the intent for it to be driven on the road; I wouldn't call it a cycle of any sort myself as none of the wheels are driven directly. It appears to be an auto-gyro whose rotors can be folded and locked, and in that configuration (since it can no longer generate lift to fly) can just roll along in a fashion resembling a motorcycle.

The top rotor of any auto-gyro is not driven directly by the engine, so, as mentioned, they can't really hover. Some do include a small motor to start the blades spinning so as to reduce the takeoff run, but has no affect on flight.

All aircraft can fly in the rain, though there are additional factors to consider, such as: reduced visibility (less of a factor with slow moving, land anywhere, type vehicles, but still there), wind (usually, though not necessarily, stronger with rain), freezing rain (under some conditions rain can freeze onto the aircraft, affecting the aerodynamics directly by changing the lifting surfaces and indirectly by rapid weight increase), and comfort (the most obvious problem with open designs).

As for driving on the street, I'd be surprised if it could get licensed without some extra features, in particular a cage around the propeller for the safety of bystanders. The brake light, licence place, and I presume turn signals, are on the main frame under the engine, which would be rather hard to see past the tail.

[Apollo Gnomon]

A helicopter has a powered rotor. Forward motion is an effect of the main rotor. A gyrocopter has an unpowered rotor. Rotation happens because of the forward motion, forward motion is provided by, usually, a push-prop.

In both cases the rotating blades are providing lift. One of the "safety features" of a gyro is that in the event of engine failure the vehicle slowly loses forward motion. Then the rotors are spun by the falling craft, so the descent speed is slowed.

Personal flying machines have a lot of drawbacks including stupid people with money buying them.

[Tanalia]

Helicopters are also quite capable of autorotation in case of engine failure. The only real difference is that autogyros are always configured for autorotation, while a helicopter pilot must adjust the craft to an appropriate configuration -- primarily lowering the collective to reduce the angle of attack on the main rotor blades.

Personal flying machines have a lot of drawbacks including stupid people with money buying them.

Yes, these are experimental aircraft, of the type referred often referred to as "kit planes." The buyer must do the majority of the assembly, and assumes a huge portion of any liability in case of problems. A lot of people will also assume that since they are so "simple" they can just hop in them and go, rather than get the appropriate training.

[PhantomWolf]

All aircraft can fly in the rain

I'd like to point out that the rain comment was more from the POV that the pilot would end up soaking wet, not that it wouldn't work.