There are many ways to make driving more exciting. One option is to buy a faster car; another is to place an amusing nodding dog on the parcel shelf; yet another is to swerve unexpectedly from time to time.

However, I have found that by far the most effective method for enlivening a routine drive is to pretend that I'm flying a very-low- level reconnaissance mission. Constant attention is required to maintain an altitude of 28 inches, and therefore I pull back on the steering wheel as I approach a hill, and push forward on it as I go over the top. Leaning back and forward at the same time enhances the experience.

This sort of thing can keep me happy for hours.

However, car manufacturers could, with a little effort, do much to enhance my flying experience. This would be particularly true for cars with adjustable steering columns and active suspension.

In flight-mode, the steering column would remain adjustable in a fore-and-aft direction, and sensors would relay its position to the front and rear suspension, allowing the car to be nose-upped or nose- downed under pilot control, enhancing the pilotic illusion. Fully independent dynamic suspension should also allow the car to be banked subtly into turns.

Many cars also feature motorized adjustable seats. Subtly tilting the seat back or forth in response to steering (and now altitude) controls will further enhance the experience.

As a further refinement, the "flight mode" switch can cause the SatNav to give instructions in the form of a staticky "Oscar bravo two, take heading four-niner and [if the car is approaching a hill] climb to 900 feet AGL."

A miniaturized drinks trolley would also be an asset.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 01 2009

Wing in Ground Ways Wing_20in_20Ground_20Ways#1062435600
tangentially related [xaviergisz, Nov 02 2009]

The Ford S-Max http://photos.autoe...photo_282600_25.jpg
The Ford S-Max seems to be an excellent car and has a handbrake lever which resembles an aeroplane throttle control. [hippo, Nov 02 2009]

In-drive refuelling In-drive_20refuelling
Refuel your car without ever leaving the road [8th of 7, Nov 02 2009]

A complementary attachment. (or complimentary if you wish) HUD_20Windscreen_20...rtual_20Destruction
Why just fly a plane when you can fly a fighter plane? [AusCan531, Sep 11 2014]

My GPS won't measure altitude to that sort of accuracy - I keep crashing into hills.
Needs more radar.
Pedals need careful attention too.
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Nov 01 2009


//My GPS won't measure altitude to that sort of accuracy// Yes, but if you have SatNav, it knows where you are and ought to be able to forewarn you about forthcoming vertical events.

In addition, it should be quite easy to fit a vibration sensor for speedbumps and rough terrain, linked to a small 'fasten seatbelts' sign.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 01 2009


I think you're reading my mind again.

Yesterday my son and I were stopped behind some traffic. He asked me if he should ask the nav for a way around; I told him, "nah, it'll probably just tell us to 'climb and maintain flight level two seven zero'"
-- lurch, Nov 01 2009


//to pretend that I'm flying a very-low- level reconnaissance mission//

I thought maybe that I was the only one that did this after age nine or so.
<!whew!>
...the odd large trees zipping past become narrowly avoided mushrooming clouds from recent explosions while the crack of rock shards/flak bouncing from my winsheild/fuselage as projectiles/ejectiles from the semi tire/flying fortress gunner are expertly outwitted by my highly trained and incredibly honed aviatory genius/dumb luck above average reflexes and motoristic paranoia.

"Echo one niner niner to tower we need to refuel asap, copy?"/"Honey would you be a love and grab a sandwich from the cooler for me?"
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Nov 02 2009


Hells yeah, but you'd need to quadruple the instrumentation.
-- phoenix, Nov 02 2009


Shuttle launch mission module upgrade is a must.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Nov 02 2009


This opens up a huge range of options ...

Glass cockpit vs. traditional instruments ?

HUD and night vision options ?

Sidestick, yoke, or joystick, or even cyclic/collective for the complete nutjobs ?

We already bunned this but we would bun it again if we could.
-- 8th of 7, Nov 02 2009


Doors to automatic. Cross-check.
-- Jinbish, Nov 02 2009


"Emergency exits are located on both sides of the car. They are clearly marked and are being pointed out to you now.

Please take a moment now to locate the exit nearest to you, bearing in mind that the nearest usable exit may be behind you.

In the unlikely event of having to use an escape slide, leave all hand luggage behind and remove high heeled shoes as they may tear the slide.

Ladies and gentleman in the back seat, please study the safety card int he seat pocket in front of you and take notice of the fasten seatbelt sign. May we remind you that portable electronic iems may interfere with the car's systems and must be switched off during take-off and landing. Mobile phones must be switched off while the car engine is running. As this is a no smoking service, the smoking signs will remain on for the duration of the flight. Smoking is not permitted at any time whilst on board."
-- hippo, Nov 02 2009


Ha - In the unlikely event of a "landing on water", your lifejacket is stowed under your seat.
-- zen_tom, Nov 02 2009


//your lifejacket is stowed under your seat.//

A club I was in used to fly a gutted-out islander for parachuting. Several stickers advised that "Your lifejacket is stowed under your seat"; underneath one of them, someone had written "Your seat is stowed in the hangar."
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 02 2009


"Please ensure you have all your personal belongings with you when leaving the aircraft ...... especially your parachute ......"
-- 8th of 7, Nov 02 2009


//we need to refuel asap//
This reminded me of an idea I had a while back, while Monster Garage was on TV (it would have been a good project for the show...).
On-road refueling for cars!
Pull up behind the roaming tanker, deploy front-mounted nozzle, and engage the trailing filler hose. I'm sure it would work, using pay and confirm by cellphone (ignoring the 'no cellphone use while driving' laws...), and away you go.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Nov 02 2009


[marked-for-tagline]

" This sort of thing can keep me happy for hours "
-- normzone, Nov 02 2009


// On-road refueling for cars! //

Like this, [n_s] ?

<link>
-- 8th of 7, Nov 02 2009


One could attach the up and down controls to a huge gnarly spoiler on the back, which at appropriate speeds would actually do the up and down.
-- bungston, Nov 02 2009


Sorry, [8th of 7], I never thought to search the HB first. It seems all my great ideas have already been halfbaked.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Nov 02 2009


Two words; Road Trip. Let's go. NOW! Yay. All 28 inches.
-- blissmiss, Nov 02 2009


Actually the 28 inches was...nevermind.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 03 2009


Having recently re-entered the world of riding motorcycles in traffic, I can assure you that using your imagination to paint a screen over actual traffic events is alive and well.

In my case it's closer to air combat simualtion, with a host of nominal friendlies losing control to Skynet and actively engaging in hostile action at worst, and at best sloppy pilots entering my airspace on a regular basis.

And my ammunition is exhausted...I am limited to evasive actions.
-- normzone, Sep 10 2014


Why was this idea not brought to my attention s... oh, wait.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 10 2014


// I am limited to evasive actions //

Ahhh, the good old "Red Five X-wing in the trench" fantasy …
-- 8th of 7, Sep 11 2014


And today the (random) button brings me here.

My fantasy mode has been revised to an American football model - I am a quarterback, with a heartless coach and only the rudiments of an offensive line.

My job is to stay in the pocket, for I cannot pass, only run. As the pocket moves, I chase the safe spot.

24K miles since January 2014, haven't been sacked yet (knocking on wood).
-- normzone, Nov 08 2017



random, halfbakery