FAA approved flying cars

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently approved the first flying car for use in the United States.

• The car is called the AirCar and is produced by Klein Vision, a Slovakian company.

• The AirCar received an Experimental Aircraft certificate from the FAA, meaning it has met basic safety requirements to be flown in American airspace. However, additional certification will be needed before it can be used as a certified passenger vehicle.

• The AirCar functions as both a road vehicle and aircraft. It has retractable wings and a rear-mounted propeller. It can transform from car to plane in under 3 minutes.

• As a car, it has a reported top speed of 100 miles per hour and a driving range of 435 miles. As a plane, it has a top speed of 106 miles per hour and flying range of 400 nautical miles.

• The AirCar requires a pilot’s license to operate in aircraft mode and a driver’s license for road use. It seats two people.

• The company plans to begin production of the AirCar in early 2024. It is available for pre-order starting at $200,000.

• While the FAA approval of the AirCar is a significant step, many challenges remain before flying cars become mainstream. Issues around safety, regulations, infrastructure, noise and costs will need to be addressed.