Clipmarks | falconz's 'travel' clips

Aptera: GettingReady to Take Flight

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:30:15 GMT

clipped by: falconz
clipper's remarks: I'd like to know how you can have half a seat?

When Steve Fambro got bored building robots at a San Diego genetics company, he figured he could help keep his brain busy by building a kit airplane in his spare time. But his wife deemed the hobby too dangerous, so Fambro decided to build a car instead, one with low emissions and absurdly high mileage. Called the Aptera (Greek for "wingless"), the machine now exists as a working prototype. It has 2.5 seats, three wheels, weighs a feathery 1,500 pounds, and Fambro says his company will put the Aptera into production next October.

Specs may change between now and autumn 2008, but the current numbers look like this: 300 mpg, a price tag below $30,000, and 0-60 acceleration of 11 seconds

. According to Fambro the all-electric Aptera is expected to go roughly 120 miles on a full charge, while the series hybrid will travel 600 miles on a full battery and a full tank of gas — the equivalent of 300 mpg.

Passports not necessary until September

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:26:36 GMT

clipped by: falconz

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

Story Highlights

• NEW: Administration puts new travel rule on hold until September
• Since January, passports needed for air travel to and from all other countries
• Backlog of applications for U.S. passports causes wait of up to three months
• Travelers still required to show they've applied for passport, and show ID

There is still no passport required for Americans driving across the Canadian or Mexican borders or taking sea cruises, although those travelers are expected to need passports under new rules beginning next year.

Until the end of September, travelers will be allowed to fly without a passport if they present a State Department receipt, showing they had applied for a passport, and government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.

Travelers showing only receipts would receive additional security scrutiny, which could include extra questioning or bag checks.

Tags: travel, international

Low airfares gone the way of $30 oil?

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:08:36 GMT

clipped by: falconz
clipper's remarks: If you thought flights were already pricey, get ready to rent a car.

Clip Source: money.cnn.com

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Southwest Airlines Co., the leading U.S. discount carrier, said Monday it raised fares by up to $10 each way, sparking ticket increases by other carriers.

Southwest, which operates at lower costs than traditional airlines, has generally helped keep increases in U.S. air fares in check. But the carrier has been gradually raising fares as it faces rising labor and fuel costs, giving rivals leeway to increase ticket prices.

"It is increasingly evident that, if we can count on higher oil prices, we can count on Southwest to push fares higher," said JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker in a note. "Southwest's full court press for higher revenue is a phenomenon we expect to continue for several years."

Tags: oil, airplane, airlines, travel