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Skycar useful even if not pressurized   added 3/04/01

There are concerns about the Skycar impacting airline operations and Boeing jet production.

We are considering restricting impact by having first production models of the Skycar be unpressurized.

This effectively would restricts Skycar flights to altitudes of less than 10,000 feet. 

This restricts long distance travel, but not commuting - which would never get to high altitudes.

Benefits of being unpressurized:
  - low altitudes eliminate ATC concerns about flight of small aircraft above 10,000 feet
  - not have to design pressurization and emergency air masks into the vehicle

Impacts of being unpressurized:
  - Have to fly thru/around bad weather (clouds, icing, tornado, etc.)
  - Increase fuel consumption when flying thru denser air
        however, +25% fuel consumption increases ticket price by about 4%
  - Decreased velocity: 287 mph is FAA max velocity when flying under 10,000 feet
  - Shorter flight legs- guess 400 miles: both due to increased fuel consumption and decreased velocity

Notes:
  - Two quick flights will be needed to go much more than 400 miles
  - 767 cabin pressure is equivalent of 6,000 foot of altitude when flying at 35,000 feet