Three Unusual Types of Air Transportation

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=S_Hurley_Hall]S Hurley Hall
In honor of The History Channel's new show, Around the World in 180 Ways, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the more unusual modes of air transport used - or proposed - in the last several years. I don't know about you, but after reading about some of the more preposterous listed here, I'm ready to use airport parking and go back to flying the old fashioned way. What do you think?
Passing Cloud
This travel concept is courtesy of Tiago Barros, an architect, who entered a UK contest about new and exciting forms of future high-speed travel. Barros' concept is named Passing Cloud, a form of transport meant to be sustainable. While I'm sure it is eco-friendly, I'm not so sure about the feasibility. Barros envisions a bunch of "clouds" that float around in the atmosphere, going to and fro at the whim of the prevailing winds. People can jump on and off these soothing, stress-free transports but the real destination is meant to be the cloud itself. In this way, according to Barros, the journey is more interesting than arriving at a destination.
Barros certainly gets my kudos for coming up with an idea for a form of transport that is both unique and lofty (pun intended).
Personal Air Transporters
Picture the opening scene from The Jetsons and you'll have a good idea of what some European companies have begun to develop as personal forms of transportation that zip through the air. These are really very small and very lightweight jets meant to hold one or two people at most. Of course, before we can truly live in a Jetsons-like world, there are a few kinks to work out, including where to take off and land, how to direct air traffic, and how to minimize environmental impact. Still, getting to work via a personal air transporter would be pretty cool and it would be great if someone could manufacture a viable model.
Skylifter
A very futuristic looking form of air transport, the Skylifter concept model most closely resembles a UFO although it really is a viable airship. This one was created in Australia (the same country that gave us bungee jumping and the spherical Zorb transporter ball). The Skylifter is a dirigible (just like the Hindenburg) whose main purpose is to transport odd-shaped or bulky cargo, although the company that made the model could foresee it carrying human passengers, as well. What makes it better than the Hindenburg is the vehicle's ability to stay afloat for long periods of time while using relatively little fuel and producing low emissions. It's saucer shape also means the Skylifter wouldn't be limited to landing at airports with masts.
It's exciting to think that sometime in the future we'll have new and maybe zany forms of transportation that will offer an alternative to airplanes. But even if we are able to get around in a personal air transporter or Skylifter, we'll still have to have a place where they can take off and land so I'm afraid the airport - and the TSA - is here to stay.
S. Hurley Hall runs the Taking Off Travel Blog for off airport parking provider ParkRideFlyUSA.com/blog. It covers travel destinations, business travel, travel gadgets, travel tips and more. Join our email list and be the first to hear about special offers that make your trip less expensive and more enjoyable. Book your airport parking reservations with ParkRideFly before you arrive at the airport - your secure parking space is guaranteed. Hurry! Visit us at [http://www.parkrideflyusa.com]Park Ride Fly to receive a 10% discount on your airport parking for a limited time.
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