The Marketing Mix Distribution Channels (Place)

The Marketing Mix Distribution Channels (Place)

Answer of Question No.1

For decades people have been dreaming of an affordable personal flying machine that they can park in their garage (Aviation, 2003). This vehicle has been featured in movies set in the future such as The Rocketeer , Judge Dread, The Fifth Element, and A.I. Today, the reality of this dream is beginning to enter more serious conversations about new technology and inventions. Although such personal flying vehicles may not take over the future of transportation during your lifetime, you may want have something to add to the conversation.

UrbanAero is currently making the “world's first FAA certifiable, VTOL [vertical-take-off and landing], multi-mission, aerial, utility vehicle capable of operating safely in complex urban and natural environments” (UrbanAero, 2002, p. 2). This hovering device called X-Hawk operates on two fans that are powered by internal combustion engines and is designed to: take off and land vertically; stay in the air for an hour; carry at least two passengers; fly up to 8,000 feet above ground; and reach flight speeds of 80-90 knots (92-103 mph).

To control which way the vehicle is “pushed,” UrbanAero has patented a new technology that allows the operator of the VTOL machine to change the direction of the vanes that are positioned on the under side of the ducted container. Having the ability to change the vanes arrangements while airborne allows for the ability to use different forces that can cause the vehicle to go side-ways, roll, pitch and yaw. The “driver” controls the vanes through a small electronic motor that can rotate the vanes almost a full 180 degrees to give exceptional manipulability to the flying car.

Therefore, by implementing a device that gives control over the direction of these vanes, the vehicle can change direction much like a helicopter does. The position of these vanes alters the horizontal and vertical forces exerted on the vehicle by the air beneath it to push it in any desired direction. This feature gives the driver excellent handling making it useful for many tasks (Yoeli, 2002). One such advantage is that the flying car will be given the ability to slant forward with the front facing slightly down. This angle allows for the vehicle to maximize speed using the fans for control, lift, and a forward thrust (Yoeli, 2002).

Answer of Question No.2

The current focus of the company is to construct a design flexible to changes for different and unique utility functions. Having a flexible work module allows it to adapt to a variety of tasks such as: a military transport, an air unit patrol, a utility work vehicle for repairs, and a toy for recreational use (UrbanAero, 2002, p. 2 & 6). These will be possibilities because the X-Hawk is based on the most recent technology in ducted fans that allows it to have the safety features to land in groups of people (UrbanAero, 2002), the power to carry several hundred pounds of cargo, the ability to hover ...