Stuck in traffic? Meet the new supercar based on a Ferrari that could fly you out of jams - for £500,000

By Arthur Martin

It's an idea that's never really taken off, despite featuring in countless books and films.

But the flying car could become a reality in two years, claim its makers.

Called the Autovolantor, it is being marketed as the perfect way for the rich and famous to avoid traffic jams, simply by taking to the skies.

The 'Autovolantor' used a specially designed hybrid fuel and electric system and could reach altitudes of up to 5,000ft

Its creators say it will cost £500,000 and allow drivers to reach speeds of 100mph on the ground and 150mph in the air.

Designer Bruce Calkins says the car, based on the £200,000 Ferrari 599 GTB, will be powered by eight fans mounted in its fuselage.

He said: 'On the ground these fans push the vehicle around with a firm but not-too-powerful thrust of deflected air.

The flying supercar is modelled on a £200,000 Ferrari 599 GTB with eight fans capable of creating as much as 800 horse power

'Once in the air the vehicle manoeuvres like a helicopter, tilting nose down to move forward, rolling right or left for changes in direction.

While maximum altitude could be much higher, the energy to obtain altitudes above 5,000 feet would be significant so we expect it to stay below that height.'

Mr Calkins said the car will run on a hybrid fuel and electric system to power the thrusters, creating as much as 800 horsepower.

He believes it will be able to travel for 75 miles by air or 150 miles by ground before it needs refuelling.

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As yet, the design is in its infancy and only a tiny scale model exists.

Mr Calkins added: 'At first we were very sceptical that we could adapt a ground-vehicle with our technologies and make it work. But the model allowed us to verify quickly that it could in fact be done.'

The ambitious project was launched at aircraft designers Moller International in the U.S. after the company received a request to design the vehicle from a wealthy businessman who found the commute from the centre of Moscow to his country home would often be delayed by congestion.

For decades Dr Paul Moller, the company's founder and president, has dreamt of achieving a workable combination of ground and air transport.

Creators Moller hope the car could be available in just two years, but the asking price of £500,000 could put a few off

But despite the backing of a wealthy investor, he has yet to produce any practical real-world drive-and-fly vehicles.

Dr Moller concedes it may require a few tweaks to the Highway Code before the Autovolantor is allowed to hit the high street, saying: 'It seems that it might be practical in some parts of the world, but in our view a roadable aircraft, rather than a flying car, is still more practical for the greatest number of people.

'The Autovolantor is technically possible, but flying it in many cities is not going to be politically acceptable until it has been deployed successfully in other roles and environments.

'Practical or not, it excites the imagination to think about being able to rise vertically out of a traffic jam and just go.'

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Day of the Dead: Not as Scary as It Sounds

By: Viator (View Profile)

Heading to Mexico in the fall is a chance to participate in el Dia de los Muertos (Day of The Dead), festivities that take place all over Mexico on November 2. Though on the surface the celebrations may appear to be similar in both rural and urban parts of Mexico, the motivations for celebrating can be very different. Despite its affinity for the dead, the Day of the Dead is anything but a morbid holiday. It is a day of celebration and recognizing that death is a part of life.

The origins of the Day of the Dead are in the Mesoamerican native traditions found in the calendar of the ancient Aztecs. In the month of Miccailhuitontli, the ritual festivities of that month were presided over by the “Lady of the Dead” and those same festivities were dedicated to both children and the dead. These festivities took place near the end of July and the beginning of August, but the Spanish Conquistador’s priests moved the festivals to the beginning of November to coincide with the Christian All Hallow’s Eve and All Saints Day. This practice of moving what were viewed as pagan holidays to coincide with Christian holidays has a long tradition in the Catholic Church as an effort to gain converts. So today, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead during the first two days of November. The modern festivity is a blending of the ancient native traditions with Christian characteristics as are many holidays in Mexico.

Families welcome the dead back into their homes by building large altars covered with images of the deceased, decorated with marigolds or chrysanthemums, religious amulets, and with ofrenda, or offerings, of the deceased’s favorite foods or beverages and cigarettes. The elements of the earth, air, fire, and water are represented on the altar as well. The altars are the living’s way of welcoming the dead back into the home.

It is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit the living on this night. In the evening, families head out to the graveyard to spend the night at the graves of family members. The graves are cleaned, decorated with flowers, food is brought for a picnic, and there is much socializing with family and the community. To remember the dead, stories are told about their lives. Special foods are prepared with spicy sauces, Mexican hot chocolate, sugary confections, and cookies in a variety of animal and skull shapes and special egg-batter bread, pan de muerto. The gathering is a festive social occasion recognizing the part that death plays in human experience, despite the gruesome setting.

The calavera, or skeleton, is an important symbol during Dia de los Muertos. The skeleton is a mocking representation of Death, not a fatalistic one. Calaveras decorate the inside of shops and shop windows dressed as judges, soldiers, housewives, soccer players, doctors, etc. The calavera appears in many different handmade folk art forms including wood, papier-mâché, and of course, the famous sugar candy skulls.

Day of the Dead celebrations are found in Mexico and other Central and South American countries and in areas of the United States with communities of Latinos.

By Sara Sturtevant

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10 SF Alternatives To Obama/McCain 08

By Graeme McMillan

I know, I know; you can't decide whether to go for McCain or Obama, and you're thinking of just skipping this whole "election" thing altogether. But wait - have you thought about all of the other candidates for President of the United States? I'm not talking about Ralph Nader - he's got no chance - but instead the various science fictional candidates who'd like your write-in vote on Tuesday. We've got a guide to ten(ish - You'll see) that you should consider.

Kirk Spock 08: They've saved the Earth countless times in the future, so why not let them save America from its current economic disaster? On the downside, they might end up being busy with that whole "big movie coming out in May" thing they have going on.

The Entire Star Wars Universe 08: Obviously, the political hi-jinks of the prequel trilogy wasn't enough for the children of George Lucas; look at how many Star Wars characters are itching to get into the political arena. I have to admit; I'd consider voting for Ackbar. At least he'd tell you if you were heading into a trap or not.

Roslin 08/Tigh/Roslin 08/Roslin/Airlock 08: Apparently, people really, really want to make sure that Laura Roslin gets into office, no matter which office or who her running mate is. Sure, she has that moral compass thing going on, but still; she tends to surround herself with a lot of Cylons. Can America afford a leader who associates herself with evil killing machines? I think not.

Conan/Swamp Thing 08:Strong on defense and strong on the environment. Combining traditional conservative and liberal views on one ticket may make them unstoppable... All we need now is for Swamp Thing to prove that he has no history of drug use - or, more accurately, growing drugs on his own body - and they may be a lock for the White House.

Colbert/Marvel Universe 08: The joke may be over on Stephen Colbert's own show, but that hasn't stopped Marvel Comics running it into the ground in their line - climaxing (we hope) with Colbert teaming up with Spider-Man to fight a bear two weeks ago.

Doctor Doom 08: You have to admit, it's refreshing to see a candidate not give any false hope during his campaign. No, Doom offers just one promise to voters: That we shall all one day face the iron hand of Doom. Also, just imagine how awesome the press conferences would be: "What does Doom think of the falling interest rates? Silence, whelp! Doom cares not about your impudent question!"

Tony Stark 08: Six words: Robert Downey Jr. Running Our Country. Surely that's all you need to know, right?

Reynolds/Washburn 08: Technically, yes, the VP nom is dead. But that never stopped Charles Fairbanks, the famous zombie vice president from the beginning of the 20th Century. And if too many voters complain, Zoe could just take over, and they wouldn't have to change any of the buttons.

Cthulhu 08: Sure, his website isn't incredibly exciting, but he's an elder god - He has more trouble with today's technology than John McCain (Yeah, like you weren't seeing that joke coming from a mile off).

Zod 08: Easily our favorite, based solely on his kneeling before platform and the fact that he would happily kill us with his heat vision if we didn't endorse him. Some may complain about the fact that he wasn't born on American soil, but his claim that America will become the basis for a new Krypton provides a handy side-step to that question. Remember: Vote early, vote often, vote Zod.

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