Editing Flying car (section)

===Lift===
Like other aircraft, lift in flight is provided by a [[fixed wing]], spinning [[rotorcraft|rotor]] or direct [[powered lift]]. The powered [[helicopter rotor]] and direct lift both offer [[VTOL]] capability, while the fixed wing and [[autogyro]] rotor take off conventionally from a runway.

The simplest and earliest approach was to take a driveable car and attach removable flying surfaces and propeller. However, when on the road, such a design must either tow its removable parts on a separate trailer or leave them behind and drive back to them before taking off again.

Other conventional takeoff fixed-wing designs, such as the [[Terrafugia Transition]], include folding wings that the car carries with it when driven on the road.

Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) is attractive, as it avoids the need for a runway and greatly increases operational flexibility. Typical designs include [[rotorcraft]] and ducted fan [[powered lift]] configurations.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/13/terrafugia_tfx_followup/|title=Your Flying Car? Delayed again, but you WILL get it, says Terrafugia|website=theregister.co.uk|date=13 May 2013|access-date=15 September 2013}}</ref> Most design concepts have inherent problems.

Rotorcraft include [[helicopter]]s with powered rotors and [[autogyro]]s with free-spinning rotors. For road use, a rotor must, like many naval helicopters, be either two-bladed or foldable. The [[quadcopter]] requires only a simple control system with no tail. The autogyro relies on a separate thrust system to build up airspeed, spin the rotor and generate lift. However, some autogyros have rotors that can be spun up on the ground and then disengaged, allowing the aircraft to jump-start vertically. The [[PAL-V Liberty]] is an example of the autogyro type.

Ducted-fan aircraft such as the [[Moller Skycar]] tend to easily lose stability and have been unable to travel at greater than 30–40 [[knot (unit)|knots]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/when-cars-fly-1.341214|title=When cars fly|website=haaretz.com|date=4 February 2011|access-date=18 October 2013}}</ref>