Slovakian AirCar Carries First Passenger

Since the production of motor cars and aircraft, people have looked forward to the possibility of flying cars. In 1962, the animated TV show The Jetsons only amplified the desire to create a vehicle that could fly. Several prototypes have been made since the beginning of the 20th century, but they have almost all failed for various reasons. The latest was built in Slovakia and has passed several trial runs. Recently, the Slovakian AirCar carried a human passenger on another successful run.

The First Passenger in the AirCar

After 30 years of hard work and dedication to building the first certified-to-fly car, Professor Stefan Klein and his team are finally successful. The hybrid car can drive on roadways and transform into an aircraft in under three minutes. Over 70 hours of rigorous testing has proven the AirCar’s capabilities, and it is now certified to be legally driven – and flown – in Europe.

For its final test, well-known French musician Jean-Michel Jarre, 75, was honored to be the first passenger of the AirCar. The car can seat up to two people. To be approved for airways, the company had to prove it would safely transport both a driver and passenger. Jarre accompanied the driver on two separate occasions and was impressed with its performance.

“One second you speak to the driver, and next, you are up there in the air. An amazing experience,” Jarre said.

Let’s Talk Numbers

The AirCar flies at a top speed of 118 miles per hour at a height of approximately 8,200 feet. It can travel up to 600 miles with its 1.6-liter BMW gas-powered engine, though there are plans to transform the gas-powered engine to a fully electric version.

One of the greatest motivations for building a flying car is to alleviate the woes of endless traffic and long travel times. The AirCar accomplishes that goal by cutting travel times in half.

“AirCar certification opens the door for mass production of very efficient flying cars. It is official and the final confirmation of our ability to change mid-distance travel forever,” stated Klein.

Maybe the biggest question is, how much will the AirCar cost consumers? Once the vehicle hits the market, it is expected to cost between $500,000 and $1 million. Additionally, those who wish to operate the car must take three months of training classes and possess both a driver’s and pilot’s license.

There are already about 400,000 pre-orders for the hybrid road-to-sky vessel in the US alone.

Safety and Dependability

The AirCar has its skeptics, though. It is essential to prove that the car can operate adequately and safely for its drivers and passengers. Dr. Stephen Wright, a senior researcher in avionics and aircraft at the University of the West of England, shared his approval and concerns regarding the modern invention.

“I have to admit that this looks really cool – but I’ve got a hundred questions about certification,” said Wright. “Anyone can make an aeroplane but the trick is making one that flies and flies and flies for the thick end of a million hours, with a person on board, without having an incident.”

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