Flying Cars Ready To Take Off
Bob Simon Talks To Inventors Who Build Personal Flying Machines
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Play CBS Video Video Skycar Cruisin' On Up Inventor Paul Moller told 60 Minutes Correspondent Bob Simon that the gasoline-fueled Skycar is designed to cruise at 300 mph, at an altitude of 20,000 feet.
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Video Highway In The Sky The folks at NASA have built something called 'The Highway in the Sky.' As Bob Simon reports, it's a computer system designed to let millions fly whenever they please, in their very own vehicles.
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Video CarterCopter A Breakthrough? Imagine flying your own "CarterCopter," a small propeller driver aircraft, from a helipad in New York to a helipad in Los Angeles, faster than a jet from point to point. Bob Simon reports.
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“The Highway in the Sky” is a computer system designed to let millions of people to fly in their very own vehicles. (CBS/NASA)
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The Skycar is one of the latest attempts to build a real flying car. It's been described as a cross between a Ferrari and a Batmobile. (CBS)
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In The Spotlight Tech Gear Video Archive: Tech gear from the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show.
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Photo Essay High-Tech Gadgets See what was new at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
"Clearly, we've caught a wave of the future," says Falk. "NASA's building the 'Highway in the Sky' program is really what develops the infrastructure for us to be able to put these things in the air and fly them safely."
The Springtail is still experimental, which means Simon is not allowed to fly it. But he thought he'd ask anyways.
Falk showed Simon where the starter button was.
"So I could start it now?" asks Simon.
"It would start," says Falk.
"It would start," says Simon. "You look a little nervous when you say that."
"Yeah, you have your finger on the button," says Falk, laughing. "Of course, I'm nervous."
Although Falk was nervous, AirScooter inventor Woody Norris was eager for Simon to fly. Norris arranged for Simon to take his $50,000 invention out for a spin. First, his team tied the machine down to the ground. They didn’t want Simon flying away forever, until he felt comfortable taking off evenly.
Norris says it takes just a few hours to master. "We wish you luck," he says.
On Simon's first try, he lifted off, but couldn't hold it even. So he tried again, and again. On his tenth attempt, he finally did it.
"That was wonderful," says Norris. "That was amazing. I was pretty impressed for how fast you acquired your skill."
"I'm pretty impressed you built this gizmo," says Simon.
"Well, a lot of people are involved here," says Norris.
Norris, like many of the inventors that 60 Minutes met, believes today’s planes and jets will ultimately become relics – and that “The Highway in the Sky” will be filled with flying machines that we can’t even begin to imagine.
"This stuff that we're surrounded by, that we think is so cool is caveman," says Norris. "The good stuff is coming. The really good stuff is coming."
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