The Slovakian-built experimental vehicle AirCar has obtained the necessary certification to fly. The amphibious vehicle, powered by a petrol-powered BMW engine, can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and a flight altitude of over 2,500 metres, reports the BBC. Before take-off, the vehicle switches to flight mode, which lasts 2 minutes 15 seconds.
To obtain certification, the AirCar flew more than 70 hours, including more than 200 take-offs and landings.
“AirCar certification could pave the way for mass production of high-efficiency flying cars. This was the official and final confirmation that we have the ability to change the world of medium-range travel forever.”- said Professor Stefan Klein, designer of the AirCar.
In June, the flying car made the trip between Opatija and Bratislava airports in 35 minutes. But this is just the beginning: a company spokesman told the BBC that they are already preparing for the London-Paris trip.
The AirCar is not the only aircraft that can be used on public roads: the PAL-V Liberty, a tricycle that can also be used as a gyrocopter, has also been granted a European road licence and is working with the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency to obtain certification.
According to Dr Steve Wright, a leading researcher in aeronautical and aerospace systems at the University of the West of England, it is unlikely that there will be mass demand for flying vehicles.
“Are flying cars really the future? Yes and no. The personal travel revolution is certainly knocking on the door, but no one is waiting on pins and needles. From a transport point of view, it’s a curiosity – albeit a very interesting one”- wright told the BBC.
The AirCar takes off and lands in much the same way as a small plane; it is no coincidence that you need a pilot’s licence to use it, not a licence. But several companies are already working on driverless air taxi services; these typically fly autonomously and can take off and land vertically.
Proponents of flying cars argue that these vehicles can be a fast and convenient means of transport and as such attract investors. On Monday, Boeing also announced an additional $450 million in funding for Wisk, a California-based air taxi company. The company is jointly owned by Boeing and Google co-founder Larry Page’s new company, Kitty Hawk.
Source: BBC
Recent article
Drones News & Articles
Airbus launches drone production
Flying Cars News & Articles
SkyDrive Japanese flying car to enter commercial service in 2026
Additional aircraft
ARC Aerosystems’ newest aircraft the Linx P9
Drones News & Articles
Expect lots of drones in the future
Propulsion-Fuel
NASA funds development of a new type of nuclear engine
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
Drones News & Articles
The drone market is a good long-term investment
Drones News & Articles
In Romania, a drone is already taking samples from hospitals to the robotic laboratory
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
ZeroAvia’s Dornier with hydrogen-electric propulsion system flies for the first time
EVTOL & VTOL
What growth can we expect in the Evtol market in the coming years ?
Drones News & Articles
Flying drone home delivery is also being tested in Budapest
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are air traffic control and air navigation services adapting to eVTOL ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
What safety measures would be introduced in flying cars to prevent accidents ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Revolutionising crop production with aircraft
Drones News & Articles
Valkyrie drone placed in the US Air Force National Museum
Drones News & Articles
Black Swan unmanned aircraft can handle transport in Europe
Drones News & Articles
Drone-operated motorway planned in the UK
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Could modernised versions of airships return ?
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Aviation on the verge of a revolution
Drones News & Articles
Chinese drone could stay in the air almost forever
Additional aircraft News & Articles
The world’s first flying motorcycle is about to fly
Drones News & Articles
Walmart’s drones now deliver in seven Member States
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are companies and governments working to develop and regulate electric Evtols and what challenges do they face in bringing these vehicles to market ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What developments have been made in the field of electric motors ?
Air taxi News & Articles
Stellantis joins forces with air taxi developer Archer
Flying Cars News & Articles
The Alef A flying car is on sale – taxis could be on the way in three years
Flying Cars News & Articles
The Israeli flying car on AIR
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The first supersonic aircraft engine to run on sustainable fuel
Drones News & Articles
Drones could help weather forecasting
EVTOL & VTOL
The Volocopter is also expected to be commercialised in 2024
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Joint electrification between Renault and Airbus
Air taxi News & Articles
Air taxis are almost here in everyday transport
Flying Cars News & Articles
Xpeng wants to mass produce its flying car in 2024
Drones News & Articles
The European Commission has unveiled a plan to boost the growth of the drone industry within Europe
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
First drop test with an eVTOL lithium-ion battery
News & Articles Points of interest
Here is the Chinese partially flying car
Electric airplane News & Articles
Safety and operational issues for electric aircraft
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What are (will be) the challenges of charging air taxis
More articles you may be interested in...
Drones News & Articles
Black Swan unmanned aircraft can handle transport in Europe
Drones News & Articles
Drone-operated motorway planned in the UK
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
Drones News & Articles
Drones could help weather forecasting
A drone with a wind sensor was used to collect weather data in the Sea.......... READ MORE
EVTOL & VTOL
The Volocopter is also expected to be commercialised in 2024
Volocopter's evtol made its first live flight near Paris in November, and it is hoped.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Joint electrification between Renault and Airbus
Renault Group and Airbus have entered into a partnership to develop technology that will speed.......... READ MORE
Air taxi News & Articles
Air taxis are almost here in everyday transport
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently expanded the list of aircraft and helicopters.......... READ MORE
Flying Cars News & Articles
Xpeng wants to mass produce its flying car in 2024
The founder of the company, Csao Tölinek, expects that mass production of these vehicles could.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
The European Commission has unveiled a plan to boost the growth of the drone industry within Europe
Back at the end of November, the European Commission proposed a strategy to define the.......... READ MORE
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
First drop test with an eVTOL lithium-ion battery
Beta Technologies is reportedly the first company to have conducted a drop test to evaluate.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Points of interest
Here is the Chinese partially flying car
Chinese flying car company Aeroht is planning to produce a car that can lift off.......... READ MORE