Turning sci-fi into reality: Flying car completes first ever inter-city flight in just 35 minutes

Team Udayavani, Jul 4, 2021, 12:23 PM IST

Source: Instagram

Well, the dream of flying cars is finally a reality as Klein Vision, a Slovakian startup, took its prototype “AirCar” flying vehicle on a 35-minute flight this week.

As per reports, AirCar took a 35-minute inner-city fly from the international airport in Nitra to the international airport in Bratislava on June 28th, 2021, as part of its efforts to meet milestones and complete the prototype phase. This marked the 142nd successful landing of the Klein Vision’s patent-protected AirCar.

Under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority, the AirCar has completed over 40 hours of test flights, including steep 45 degree turns and stability and maneuverability testing. AirCar Prototype 1 has flown at 8200 ft and reached a maximum cruising speed of 190km/h (103kt).

What is so exciting about AirCar is that this dual-mode vehicle, at a click of a button transforms into a sports car in under three minutes.

Watch the video here:

 

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A post shared by Stefan Klein (@kleinvision_official)

Dr. Branko Sarh, Boeing Co. Senior Technical Fellow, said, “Professor Stefan Klein is the world leader in the development of user-friendly Flying Cars,” further adding, “The automated transition from road vehicle into an air vehicle and vice versa, deploying/retracting wings and tail is not only the result of pioneering enthusiasm, innovative spirit and courage; it is an outcome of excellent engineering and professional knowledge.”

Reports state that AirCar Prototype 1 is equipped with a 160HP BMW engine with a fixed-propeller and a ballistic parachute in case of emergency.

Also the AirCar Prototype 2, the pre-production model of the company will be equipped with a 300HP engine. It already has an M1 road permit and an EASA CS-23 aircraft certification. Prototype 2 is expected to have a cruise speed of 300km/h (162kt) and a range of 1000km (621mi).

Exclaiming how this flight starts a new era of dual transportation vehicles,  Anton Zajac, the co-founder of Klein Vision said, “AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept; flying at 8,200ft at a speed of 100kt, it has turned science fiction into a reality.”