Patent Publication Number: US-11027584-B1

Title: Flying car with fore and aft lifting surfaces

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority by a provisional application “Flying Car with Fore and Aft Lifting Surfaces’ filed by Express mail on 17 Oct. 2014. Return postcard sticker numbers: 62122344 101714 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides novel improved apparatus and method to the field of flying cars and roadable aircraft. For over a century people have dreamed of a vehicle that was both a good car and a good aircraft. Many attempts have been made to realize this dream: in 1917 aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss&#39; Company built the Autoplane, which achieved short flight hops. In 1933 Waldo Waterman flew the first successful roadable aircraft called the “Arrowbile”. In 1947 the Convair Company built an experimental flying car with a detachable wing structure. Molt Taylor completed the “Aerocar” in 1949, which had detachable wings and tail assembly that could be towed as a trailer behind the car module; several production units were built and some still fly today. Converting the “Aerocar” from car to plane or back again required about 40 minutes of work. The Terrafugia Transition is a roadable aircraft that has been under development since 2006; it changes configuration autonomously as directed by the operator. Attempts have been made to build vertical take off (VTOL) flying cars, but the power required to take off and the windblast produced are both daunting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Below is a listing, with some comments, of various patents in the prior art related to flying cars and to the present invention: 
     In 1924 Weinberg, U.S. Pat. No. 1,481,400 teaches a folding wing mechanism where the wings fold back and pivot to a vertical plane; the wing struts are used to secure the wings to the aft fuselage. 
     In 1929 Tubbe, U.S. Pat. No. 1,731,757 discloses a pusher configuration aircraft with wings that fold downward at a distance from the fuselage while the tail boom folds upward, and alternately a wing that pivots about a vertical axis, one tip going forward the other tip moving aft. Tubbe also teaches a wheel retraction mechanism. 
     In 1930 Rystedt, U.S. Pat. No. 1,761,053 shows an aircraft with multiple ducted fans and retractable wheels. 
     In 1935 Vieriu, U.S. Pat. No. 1,998,148 shows wings that pivot rearwards about a vertical axis, the pivots being located near the three-quarter chord position on the wing. 
     In 1935 Nightingale, U.S. Pat. No. 2,011,254 teaches wings that pivot aft about vertical axes and trailing edge control surfaces that fold downward when the wings fold back. 
     In 1940 Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,215,003 shows a flying automobile with detachable wing and tail structure. 
     In 1941 Beals, U.S. Pat. No. 2,241,577 depicts a pusher configuration flying car with detachable wing and tail unit. 
     In 1946 Thompson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,402,468 shows a four-wheeled aircraft with two-axis-pivot aft folding wings. 
     In 1947 Fulton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,430,869 teaches a four-wheel car with detachable wing and tail structure. 
     In 1950 Fish, U.S. Pat. No. 2,494,547 teaches a detachable wing and tail structure attaching beneath the car portion of the vehicle. 
     IN 1951 Hall, U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,490 shows a flying car with detachable wing and tail. 
     In 1951 Masterson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,731 teaches a flying car with a foldable helicopter-type rotor. 
     In 1951 Abel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,572,421 shows a folding wing aircraft with two-axis pivots. 
     In 1951 Perl, U.S. Pat. No. 2,573,271 teaches forward folding wings and retracting tail boom, which move the center of gravity of the vehicle forward when in roadable configuration. The wings are stacked one above the other when folded. 
     In 1954 Holland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,666,602 teaches aft folding wings that overlap when folded. 
     In 1954 Pellarini, U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,422 shows multi-axis aft folding wings on a roadable aircraft. 
     Also in 1954 Gerardine, U.S. Pat. No. 2,675,976 provides improved means of detaching the wing and tail assembly of a roadable aircraft. 
     And again in 1954 Carpenter, U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,095 teaches aft folding wings that overlap when folded. 
     In 1957 Rethorst, U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,323 describes a low aspect ration roadable aircraft with retractable stub wings. 
     In 1958 Kissinger, U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,567 shows a craft with a circular plan form wing that has inward folding tip sections. 
     In 1960 Bland, U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,688 teaches a roadable aircraft with folding wings that also functions as a sailboat. 
     IN 1962 Zuck, U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,564 shows aft folding wings that overlap when folded. 
     In 1964 Halsmer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,560 depicts a folding wing roadable aircraft that can rotate the aircraft portion to an angle of incidence relative to a four-wheel under carriage. 
     In 1967 Sawyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,317,161 shows two ducted fans embedded in the body of an air car that blow air over a series of lifting airfoils. 
     In 1977 Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,421 teaches a quad-rotor air car with four vertical axis fans. 
     In 1986 Einstein, U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,585 reveals an auto-plane with wings that fold asymmetrically along four longitudinal axes and stack up on top of the vehicle, the tail assembly retracts forward. 
     In 1991 Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,817 teaches a Combined Road and Aircraft Vehicle that employs aft multi-axis folding wings and a retracting tail assembly. 
     In 1992 Lay, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,173 reveals a Pressure Jet and Ducted Fan Hybrid Electric car, with optional solar panels. 
     In 1995 Wernicke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,502 shows a short span Flying and Road Vehicle with upper and lower tip-mounted winglets. 
     In 1996 chiappetta, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,407 teaches an Air-Land Vehicle with multiple shrouded fans. 
     In 1999 Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,228 discloses a Rapidly-Convertible Roadable Aircraft with a wing that pivots as a unit about a single vertical axis. A rear-mounted ducted fan is shown. 
     In 2000 Spitzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,665 reveals a Roadable Aircraft with wings that fold to vertical forward-located positions along the sides of the vehicle. 
     In 2000 Bragg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,014 teaches compound-folding wings that stow in vertical orientation on the sides of the vehicle. 
     In 2000 Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,306 shows a roadable aircraft with a wing that pivots as a unit about a single vertical axis and additionally has inward folding tip sections. 
     In 200 Crow, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,848 shows wings folding to side mounted vertical positions with horizontally folding portions that enhance occupant visibility. 
     In 2003 Haynes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,584 B1 discloses wings that fold along a plurality of longitudinal axes. 
     In 2004 Einstein, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,450 B1 teaches asymmetrical fore and aft pivoting wing tip sections moving in a horizontal plane, detachable front lifting surfaces are also disclosed. 
     In 2005 Bragg, U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,690 B1 reveals a motorcycle with a parasail wing. 
     In 2005 Purcell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,970 B2 discloses aft-folding wings with flexible inner portions and also a folding tail assembly. 
     In 2007 Preston, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,019 B2 shows a ground vehicle with a flexible parasail attached above. 
     In 2011 Xu, U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,512 B2 reveals a collapsible biplane configuration where the wings additionally pivot as a unit about a single vertical axis. 
     In 2011 Dietrich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,358 B2 teach a roadable aircraft with wings that fold inboard, pivoting about four longitudinal axes. 
     In 2012 Bousfield et al., US application US 212/0032023 A1 disclose a retractable wing hinge and truss for wings that pivot in a horizontal plane. 
     In 2012 Seiford, U.S. Pat. No. 8,162,253 B2 show aft-folding wings that stow in a vertical position. 
     In 2012 Goldshteyn, U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,347 B2 discloses wing tip sections that fold inboard about longitudinal axes. 
     In 2013 Easter, U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,520 B2 teaches telescoping wing tips and tail booms, and a low wing unit that pivots about a vertical axis. 
     In 2013 Eames, U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,263 B2 shows a roadable aircraft in a tandem wing configuration with aft-folding front wing panels and forward-folding rear wing panels, including blown flaps and pivoting ducted fans. 
     In 2013 Im, U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,979 B2 reveals a Foldable Swan-Wings Aircraft where the wings fold upward at the root section on each side. 
     In 2013 Schweighart et al., US application US 2013/0193263 A1 show wings that fold about four longitudinal axes, folding up at the root section and downward near the midpoint of each side wing panel. 
     In 2013 Blomeley, U.S. Pat. No. 8,511,603 B2 teaches aft folding wings with collapsible structure and a ductless fan for propulsion. 
     Aft-folding wings were used on de Havilland biplane aircraft in the 1920&#39;s. 
     OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that converts easily from a self-contained roadworthy car configuration into a good flying aircraft configuration and back again while the occupants remain in the vehicle. More specifically, for improved balance, it is an object of the invention to have a center of gravity located substantially midway between the front and rear wheels in the roadable configuration. This is to give good automotive handling. It is an object of the present invention to have fore and aft lifting surfaces, the front surface having variable lifting ability that enables the craft to rotate for takeoff while having a center of gravity located well forward of the rear wheels. It is a key object of the invention to have a front surface that can develop a large amount of lift and yet not destabilize the craft in the pitch axis. It is an object of the invention to have a self-trimming front surface that adjusts its trim condition in response to oncoming airflow meeting the craft when in flying configuration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment the present invention can have five wheels; two front wheels can be steerable; and at least one wheel can be driven to provide automobility on the ground. For flying, the craft can be licensed as a Light Sport Aircraft. In the flying configuration, a forward and an aft lifting surface can be provided; the front surface can fold reward and the aft lifting surface can fold towards the front when forming a roadable configuration. When in flying configuration, the front lifting surface can pivot about a lateral axis in response to its relative wind, allowing it to generate large amounts of lift and yet not destabilize the craft in pitch. Combination winglets, vertical stabilizing surfaces, and control surfaces can be provided near the outboard sections of the aft lifting surface. Ducted fans can provide thrust to the craft when in its flying configuration. Keeping empty weight and airspeed within the limits of the FAA Light Sport Aircraft Category can reduce development and production costs. 
     In an alternative embodiment the current invention may have four wheels, which provides for many of the benefits and limitations of regular automobiles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  shows the present invention in flying configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  shows the invention sitting on the ground in roadable configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the present invention showing step one of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration  500  to roadable configuration  400 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view of the present invention showing step two of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration  500  to roadable configuration  400 . 
         FIG. 2C  is a front perspective view of the present invention showing step three of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration  500  to roadable configuration  400 . 
         FIG. 2D  is a front perspective view of the present invention showing step four of a four step folding sequence going from flying configuration  500  to roadable configuration  400 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the flying configuration  500  of the present invention while the craft is resting on the ground. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the present invention while resting on the ground in the flying configuration. 
         FIG. 5  shows a front perspective view of the flying car with the front lifting surface in a position of large positive angle of incidence; for clarity, the rear wing is not shown in this figure. 
         FIG. 6  shows a front perspective view of the flying car with the front lifting surface in a position of negative angle of incidence. 
         FIG. 7  shows a top view of an alternative front lifting surface with no sweepback and examples of contiguous as well as non-contiguous moveable portions for trim adjustment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a flying car  100  type of vehicle  101  and a method of travel using a convertible vehicle  101 , which can comprise the following elements. 
     The flying car  100  can have a body  110 , which can be capable of carrying a useful load  120 , the vehicle  101  can have a longitudinal axis  122  front to back, a lateral axis  124  side to side, and a vertical axis  126  up and down; the body  110  can have a front portion  131 , a middle portion  132  and an aft portion  133 . 
     The present invention can have a plurality of wheels  140  attached to the body  110 , and at least one steerable wheel  142  that is capable of providing a steering function for the vehicle  101 ; the wheels  140  can be of sufficient strength to provide support for the flying car  100  when it is rolling on the ground  10 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have propulsion means  200 , which can be capable of providing a forward force  205  to the vehicle  101  when the flying car  100  is in the air  20 ; the propulsion means  200  can be able to provide forward force to the car when the car is rolling on the ground  10 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a plurality of aerodynamic lifting surfaces  300 , a front lifting surface  310  can be located near the front portion  131  of the body  110  and a rear lifting surface  320  can be located proximal to the aft portion  133  of the vehicle  101  body  110 ; each lifting surface  300  can have: a leading edge  302 , a trailing edge  304 , at least one tip section  306  outboard from the car body  110 , a central section  308  proximal to the car body  110  and a general plane  312  coincident with the averaged contours of the lifting surface  300 . When in motion relative to the air, each lifting surface  300  can have an angle of attack  325  and a center of lift  330 ; the center of lift  330  generally moving fore and aft as the angle of attack  325  that the airflow meets the lifting surface  300  changes; each lifting surface  300  can have airfoil sections  340  taken on planes  342  perpendicular to the general plane  312  of the lifting surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis  122  of the flying car  100 . Each lifting surface can have an incidence angle  328  measured between the general plane  312  of the lifting surface  300  and the longitudinal axis  122  of the vehicle  101 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have airflow detection means  350  for detecting the direction of airflow relative to the front lifting surface  310 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have inclination means  370  that can adjust the incidence angle  328  of at least a portion of the front lifting surface  310  in response to the airflow detection means  350 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a roadable configuration  400  comprising folding means  410  for folding the lifting surfaces  300  so that the roadable configuration  400  is compact enough to function as a road vehicle  402 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a flying configuration  500  comprising extending means  510  for extending the lifting surfaces  300  so that the flying configuration  500  is wide enough to provide adequate wingspan for efficient flight. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have controlling means  600  for steering and directing the up and down motion of the flying car  100  when it is flying through the air  20 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have directional stability means  650  for keeping the flying car  100  pointed in the general direction that it is going relative to the surrounding air  20  when flying in the flying configuration  500 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have energy storage means  700  for containing stored energy aboard the flying car  100 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have energy conversion means  750  for converting the stored energy into mechanical power. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have transmission means  800  for conveying the mechanical power to the propulsion means  200 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention permits a useful load  120  to be carried both on the ground  10  through the road system  12  and also carried in flight through the air  20 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can carry a useful load  120  comprising at least one person  121 , whereby a person  121  may enjoy the benefits of both ground  10  and air  20  transportation and rapidly switch between the two. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can comprise four wheels  140  attached to the body  110 , two front wheels  146  and two rear wheels  148 , the two front wheels  146  can be steerable  142 , whereby the flying car  100  can have the roadworthiness of a normal automobile. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have propulsion means  200  comprising at least one driven wheel  145 , whereby ground  10  mobility may be achieved with quiet efficiency. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have propulsion means  200  comprising at least one ducted fan  230 , whereby people and objects are protected from dangerous spinning mechanism. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a ducted fan  230  located near the rear  133  of the vehicle  101 , whereby superior aerodynamic efficiency can be attained. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have two side-by-side ducted fans  230 , whereby the car can be lower and wider and counterrotation of the fans can eliminate many asymmetrical forces on the vehicle  101 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have airflow detection means  350  and the inclination adjustment means  370  provided by a pivoting of the front lifting surface  310  about a lateral pivot axis  315  in response to the airflow  30 , the lateral pivot axis  315  can be located at the center of lift  330  of the front lifting surface  310  when the front lifting surface  310  is operating at a predetermined angle of attack  325 . The front lifting surface  310  can have independent pitch stability when pivoted about its lateral pivot axis  315  thereby seeking the predetermined angle of attack  325 . The front lifting surface  310  can thereby stably fly itself in the manner of a stable independent aircraft with its center of gravity  338  located coincident with the lateral axis pivot position  315 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have an adjustable portion  380  of the front lifting surface  310  that can be adjusted to change the relationship between the location of the lifting surface&#39;s center of lift  330  and its angle of attack  325 . By means of this adjustable portion  380  the front lifting surface  310  can be made to seek different angle of attacks  325  and different trim positions  316 ,  317 . The front lifting surface  310  can be trimmed to fly at a variety of angles of attack  325  and at a variety of lift coefficients by means of the adjustable portion  380 , providing pitch and speed control for the flying car  100  when it is flying. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the front lifting surface  310  sweep back on both sides from its central section  308 . The adjustable portion  380  of the front lifting surface  310  can be selected from a group containing: moveable tip sections and moveable trailing edge  304  portions located proximal to the tip sections and moveable trailing edge  304  portions located proximal to the central section  308  of the front lifting surface  310 , providing a variety of ways to change the trim angle of attack  325  of the front lifting surface  310 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a front lifting surface  310  that is approximately unswept. A stable relationship between angle of attack  325  and center of lift  330  can be attained by means of reflexed airfoil sections  340  that have an upward bend near their trailing edges  304 , whereby no sweep is needed and the lift distribution along the surface can remain more uniform from side to side. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the adjustable portions  380  of the front lifting surface  310  comprise attached sub-surfaces non-contiguously located behind the main portion of the front lifting surface  310 , whereby sweepback of the surface  310  may not be required. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the center of mass  338  of the front lifting surface  310  located approximately coincident with (or forward of) its lateral pivot axis  315 , whereby the dynamic stability of the surface  310  is enhanced. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a first portion of its front lifting surface  310  fixed in incidence relative to the longitudinal axis  122  and a second portion of the front lifting surface that can move in response to the airflow detection means  350 , whereby the moving parts of the surface  310  may be smaller. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have a mechanical torque about the lateral pivot axis  315  applied to the front lifting surface  310  without significantly interfering with the lifting surface&#39;s ability to respond to the airflow detection means  350 , the torque can be applied for a purpose selected from among the group consisting of: adjusting the trim angle of the surface and providing damping to the surface while it is pivoting. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the front lifting surface  310  comprise a central element  308 , with two substantially vertical pivot axes  420  located on the central element  308 , a forward port side element with a pivot location  422  and a forward starboard side element with a pivot location  424 . Each forward side element can be able to pivot rearwards about one of the two pivot axes positioned on the central element, the two pivot axes can be separated by a first lateral spacing  426  small enough to permit the forward side elements  309  to fold back into a roadable configuration  400  that meets predetermined width restrictions, the first lateral spacing  426  can be large enough to allow the two forward side elements  309  to fold back into a roadable configuration  400  without interference between the two forward side elements  309 . 
     The front lifting surface  310  of flying car  100  of the present invention can have at least one of the two folding pivot axes  420  inclined from the vertical by a predetermined amount  425 , such that due to the inclination of the pivot axis  420 , as each side element  309  rotates rearward about the vertical axis  126  of the vehicle  101 , at least one forward side element  309  also rotates about the longitudinal axis  122  such that the trailing edges  304  of the two forward side elements  309  are vertically displaced relative to each other in the roadable configuration  400 . This allows the trailing edges  304  of the two front lifting surface side elements  309  to overlap along the centerline of the vehicle  101 ; and still the two forward side elements  309  of the front lifting surface  310  can have good lateral symmetry in the extended flying configuration  500 , whereby a more compact roadable configuration  400  results than if no overlap is provided and a visually pleasing lateral symmetry is maintained when the surfaces  300 ,  309  are extended in flying configuration  500 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the central element  308  of the front lifting surface  310  comprise an upper part  311  and a lower part  313 , the upper part  311  and the lower part  313  each can have an aerodynamically streamlined airfoil section. The upper part  311  and the lower part  313  can be separated by a predetermined distance  318  allowing the central sections of the two forward side elements  309  of the front lifting surface  310  to fit between the upper part  311  and the lower part  313  of the central element  308  when the front lifting surface  310  is folded into its roadable configuration  400 . With this arrangement, aerodynamic streamlining is enhanced in the flying configuration  500 , with a minimum of moving parts. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the front lifting surface  310  provided with means of maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation when the vehicle  101  is on the ground in the flying configuration  500  and a wind is blowing from behind the vehicle  101 , whereby the front lifting surface  310  is prevented from flopping around and getting damaged in adverse wind conditions. A centering spring can be used to achieve this function, while still allowing the front lifting surface  310  to respond to the angle or forward airflow  30  in normal flight. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the rear lifting surface  320  comprise a rear port side element  321  and a rear starboard side element  322 . Two rear folding pivot locations  323  can be provided on the aft portion of the car body  110 , a second predetermined spacing  324  can separate the two rear pivot locations  323 ; the second spacing  324  can be sufficiently large to allow the two rear side lifting surface elements  321 ,  322  to pivot and fold forward and not interfere with each other in the roadable configuration  400 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention, when going from the flying configuration  500  to the roadable configuration  400 , can have the front lifting surface  310  fold rearward and the rear lifting surface  320  fold forward. The front lifting surface  310  can be above the rear lifting surface  320  when in the roadable configuration  400 , in this way the wingspan  502  of the front lifting surface  310  can be greater that the wingspan  503  of the rear lifting surface  320 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the directional stability means  650  for the flying configuration  500  comprise a pair of substantially vertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfaces  652  located proximal to the tip sections  306  of the two rear side elements  321 ,  322  of the rear lifting surface  320 . The substantially vertical aerodynamic surfaces  652  can fold to a position proximal to the rear lifting surface  320  side elements  321 ,  322  when forming a roadable configuration  400 , whereby the stabilizer surfaces  652  can be folded and stowed between the front lifting surface  310  and the rear lifting surface  320  when in the roadable configuration  400 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the substantially vertical aerodynamic stabilizer surfaces  652  swept back from their attachment points proximal to the tip sections  306  of their respective rear side lifting surface elements  321 ,  322 . The stabilizer surfaces  852  can fold inwards toward the central section of the rear lifting surface  320 ; the folding action of each stabilizer surface  652  can be accomplished by means of rotation about two different pivot axes, a first axis  654  can be approximately in the plane of the stabilizer surface, and a second pivot axis  655  can be approximately in the plane of the rear lifting surface  320 . Means of securing the stabilizer surface  652  in a predetermined orientation can be provided when in the flying configuration  500 . With this arrangement, a swept back stabilizer surface  652  may be folded proximal to a lifting surface  300  without overhanging the trailing edge  304  of the lifting surface  300 , this results in a more compact roadable configuration  400 . 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the energy storage means  700  comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: a fuel tank with fuel, and a battery module, and a super capacitor bank. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the energy conversion means  750  selected from among the group consisting of: an internal combustion engine, and a gas turbine, and an electric motor. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the transmission means  800  comprise an element selected from the group consisting of: a clutch, and a drive shaft, and a gear train, and a Vee belt drive system, and a cog belt system, and an electrical generator, and an electric motor. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can further comprise an autopilot system, the autopilot system can be able to control and navigate the flying car  100  in accordance with programmed instructions. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can further comprise water ballast tanks  820 , the water ballast tanks  820  when filled, can provide additional mass for the flying car  100 . The additional mass can give additional stability to the roadable configuration  400  in windy conditions. 
     The flying car  100  of the present invention can have the water ballast tanks  820 , when filled, provide additional crash protection for a person  121  located within the body  110  of the flying car  100 . The water ballast tanks  820  can provide a structural side beam function in the doors and side panels of the vehicle  101 . 
     The present invention provides a method of traveling both on the ground  10  through a road system  12  and through the air  20  in a single vehicle  101 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise driving a vehicle  101  with folded wings on a road  12 , the vehicle  101  can have a plurality of wheels  140  and means of steering. The vehicle  101  can have a side-to-side lateral axis  124  and a frontal direction  127 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise unfolding the lifting surfaces  300  (wings) of the vehicle  101  to form a flying configuration  500 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise allowing a front lifting surface  310  (front wing) of the vehicle  101  to pivot about a substantially lateral axis  315  in response to surrounding airflow  30 ; the front lifting surface  310  can have independent aerodynamic stability about the substantially lateral trim pivot axis  315 . The front lifting surface  310  can seek a predetermined angle of attack  325 ,  326 ,  327  relative to oncoming airflow  30  from the frontal direction  127  of the vehicle  101 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise controlling the predetermined angle of attack  325 ,  326 ,  327  of the front lifting surface (front wing) for navigational purposes. 
     The method of the present invention can comprise providing aerodynamic thrust  205  to the vehicle  101 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise flying the vehicle  101  through the air  20 . 
     The method of the present invention can comprise folding the vehicle&#39;s  101  lifting surfaces  300  (wings) to produce a roadable configuration  400 . 
     The flying vehicle  101  of the present invention can comprise: a body  110 , said body is capable of carrying a useful load  120 , said vehicle  101  having a longitudinal axis  122  front to back, a lateral axis  124  side to side, and a vertical axis  126  up and down; said body  110  having a front portion  131 , a middle portion  132  and an aft portion  133 .