Transport: Flying Car Completes First Test Flight In 35 Minutes

A prototype flying car has taking to the skies and completed its first-ever test flight between the international airports in Nitra and Bratislava, in Slovakia and landing in 35 minutes. This prototype car-aircraft called “AirCar” was designed by the revolutionary Slovak designer, Professor Stefan Klein. “AirCar” completed its first flight distance of 80km and at an average speed of 170km/h. AirCar Prototype 1, is equipped with a 160 horsepower BMW engine with a fixed propeller and a ballistic parachute. It has however completed more than 40 hours of test flights in total.

The company behind AirCar, Klein Vision, made it known that this prototype took about two years to develop at a cost of nothing “less than 2m euros” (£1.7m) in investment. AirCar takes two minutes and 15 seconds to transform from car into aircraft. With the click of a button, the aircraft turns back into a sports car in under three minutes. It can carry two people, with a combined weight limit of 200kg (about 31 stone). This invention is considered a potential solution to the strain on existing transport infrastructures you find around. Strains like traffic congestion especially in urban areas, poor road maintenance and others. But with the advent of flying cars, faster transportation will be attained in a shorter time, less traffic congestion and zero-emission as most of the flying cars use power batteries. Read previous stories about batteries that power flying cars and other stories abut flying cars.

AirCar was driven by its inventor, Professor Stefan Klein.  After exiting the AirCar following the test, Prof. Klein described the experience as “normal” and “very pleasant”. Klein mentioned the flight further that “it opens a new category of transportation and returns the freedom originally attributed to cars back to the individual. AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept; flying at 8,200ft at a speed of 100 kt (115 miles per hour), it has turned science fiction into a reality.” Dr. Branko Sarh, a Boeing company senior technical fellow, commended Klein for the development of user-friendly flying cars.

Anton Zajac, an adviser and investor in Klein Vision, said “there are about 40,000 orders of aircraft in the United States alone, if we convert 5% of those, to change the aircraft for the flying car – we have a huge market”. Several companies like Toyota Motors, Boeing, Airbus have also invested and embarked on research and development of flying car.

Dr Stephen Wright, senior research fellow in avionics and aircraft, at the University of the West of England, described the AirCar as “the lovechild of a Bugatti Veyron and a Cesna 172”. However he has several question about AirCar certifications and safety. He ends with “I can’t wait to see the piece of paper that says this is safe to fly and safe to sell.”

The expectations for flying cars are very high, many look forward to its introduction into pop culture, many perceive it as a visionary landmark of the future.