categories ... such as pposts by Larissa Andersonnes

Flying car getting closer

by John Moe // Posted: 06/28/10 11:09 AM

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted a weight restriction exemption to flying car manufacturer Terrafugia that could pave the way to flying cars being more viable. They allowed for an extra 110 pounds for the company’s “Transition Roadable Aircraft” so now it can have airbags, crumple zones, and a roll cage, which are all things required to drive on the road.

From the Aircraft and Pilot Owners Association newsletter:

Still to come is approval from federal highway officials regarding non-waiverable highway crashworthiness standards. Without that, the vehicle can’t be marketed as a roadable vehicle. There is no timetable for a decision, but company officials are hoping to hear this year. Company officials feel the extra weight allowance by the FAA allows for the weight of the structure needed to meet highway safety standards, despite the FAA approval falling 44 pounds short of the request.

Comments | Filed Under: cars planes neato

today's show

What will we do with all this "white space"?

09/26/10 11:15 AM

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There’s a vote coming up this week in Washington that will have a big impact on how you use the internet, what’s available to you, how much faster you’ll be able to get things online. On Thursday, the FCC is expected to open up unused parts of the broadcast spectrum, a lot of people call it “white space”. This is space that was positioned to be something of a buffer between television stations but such padding is proving less essential since the conversion to digital TV.

On today’s show, we talk to Glenn Fleishman from Wi-Fi Networking News and The Economist about how the spectrum works and what kind of new space we’re talking about. We also check in with Tim Wu from Columbia Law School about the companies that will look to use the space and what it all might mean for you and me as internet consumers.