Ummm....
Uber unveils plans for electric flying taxis by 2020, ChargePoint will provide charging for first stations
If you are wondering how come there are so many news and announcement about electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft lately, like Lilium’s maiden flight and Kitty Hawk coming out of stealth, it looks like it’s because they timed the releases with Uber’s Elevate Summit in Dallas this week.
Today, Uber announced its own plans to use eVTOL aircraft for a flying taxi service.
Several companies, including the ones previously mentioned, detailed their plans during the event. Uber describes the summit:
“The Summit will offer an information-packed three days during which we hope to build awareness about the Elevate mission, detail Uber’s role in the ecosystem, identify and accelerate opportunities to collaborate within the community, and define a path towards initial urban eVTOL operations.”
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https://electrek.co/2017/04/25/uber-electric-flying-taxis-2020-chargepoint-charging-station/
Wouldn't this require an almost complete re-write of existing FAA regulations? If the hardware was available today, I doubt that 3 years is enough time to shepherd whatever legislation is needed through whatever committees are required, assuming that someone already knows how flying taxis should be regulated.
Do passengers require FAA screening?
Are Air Cabs restricted to licensed airports and helicopter pads?
If an A-Cab avoids telephone lines, clotheslines and tree branches, can it land on your driveway?
Who is responsible when an inebriated passenger vomits on my garden party?
What licensing is required for one to use a public roadway?
I think I could continue for a long time, but the point I'm hammering at is that even carrying someone from an already crowded airport to the heliport of his choice, will require changing the laws and codes, and this service won't be of much use to most people.
A taxi is generally considered as a conveyance that picks you up where you are located & drops you close to where you need to be. This won't be possible for an Air Cab by 2020.
This is vaporware.
Terry