There are countless movies featuring futuristic flying cars that only exist thanks to special effects, but a flying car’s dream becomes a reality with AirCar prototype. This might not be the first flying car concept due to the limitations meeting regulatory guidelines, but the AirCar prototype is achieving significant milestones in development.
Many flying vehicles in development are limited in order to meet regulatory guidelines are manned drones or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL) according to Engadget. The AirCar prototype proves to be the closest development in creating a manned flying car made by the Slovakian company Klein Vision.
Klein Vision celebrated the completion of the first inter-city flight between the Nitra and Bratislava airports with the inventor, Stefan Klein, piloting the 35-minute journey. The AirCar design is optimal for seamless travel between land and air with the single press of a button that tucks in the wings after landing to drive the car home straight from the tarmac.
Klein Vision completed 142 successful landings and over 40 hours of test flights that have Klein convinced his third prototype is ready to leap past the concept stage of development after working on the hybrid crafts for over 30 years. The recent test flight of the two-seater AirCar reached a cruising speed of 105 mph (170 km/h), slightly below the top speed of 118 mph (190 km/h).
Klein achieved steep 45 degree turns with the current prototype equipped with a 160HP BMW engine with a fixed propeller and a ballistic parachute during a maneuverability testing at 8,200 ft. This AirCar prototype is the beginning of big plans for Klein Visions as Klein has bigger plans for a follow-up 300HP pre-production model.
Klein disclosed the follow-up model will be faster, boasting 300HP that will receive the CS-23 aircraft certification for aerobatic, utility, normal, and commuter airplanes from European aviation regulators along with an M1 road permit. For now, Klein Vision will tread a fine line with regulations between a more substantial vehicle and a light aircraft featuring built-in safety and health precautions.