History and Future of Flying Automobiles

The dream of the flying automobile. The distinction between flying autos and roadable aircraft. Examples known to have flown. Safety and accidents. FAA certification of two designs. Drawings from patents. Patents per decade. Indicators of resurging interest. Some people active in the field today. Role of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Current legal climate and its effect on the health of the small aircraft industry. Development and marketing through the experimental aircraft movement with sale of plans or kits to be homebuilt. Use of existing infrastructure for initial small numbers. Numerical specs for ideal design. Geometric match between canard aircraft and rear or mid engine car. Existing canard benchmark design. Proposed model design competition. Bibliography and references.