Futuristic flying ‘AirCar’ completes its first ever inter-city flight

It’s the stuff of science fiction – a futuristic flying car able to reach heights of more than 8,000ft and speeds over 100mph.

But the dream of its inventor has now become a reality after the ‘AirCar’ completed its first ever inter-city flight in Slovakia.

After landing the vehicle then transformed into a sports car in less than three minutes before being driven to the centre of Bratislava on Monday.

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Stuff of science fiction: A futuristic flying car able to reach heights of more than 8,000ft and speeds over 100mph has completed its first ever inter-city flight in Slovakia (pictured)

Taking flight: Footage shows it driving down a runway before soaring into the air (pictured)

The AirCar Prototype 1, which has a 160 horsepower fixed-propeller engine, is the brain child of Professor Stefan Klein and was developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision

The 35-minute flight from Nitra to Bratislava was a key development milestone and moves it closer to going into production, KleinVision said

The AirCar Prototype 1, which has a 160 horsepower fixed-propeller engine, is the brain child of Professor Stefan Klein and was developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision. 

Amazing footage shows it driving down a runway before soaring into the air. It then lands, folds away its wings and is driven along a motorway before arriving in the heart of the Slovakian capital.

The 35-minute flight from Nitra to Bratislava was a key development milestone and moves it closer to going into production, KleinVision said. 

Developers say the AirCar – which has now completed more than 40 hours of test flights – would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service. 

It is equipped with a BMW engine, runs on regular petrol-pump fuel and can carry two people.

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it could be seen in the air and on the roads by next year at the latest. 

‘This flight starts a new era of dual transportation vehicles,’ said Professor Klein after getting out of the AirCar cockpit.

‘It opens a new category of transportation and returns the freedom originally attributed to cars back to the individual.’

Developers say the AirCar – which has now completed more than 40 hours of test flights – would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it could be seen in the air and on the roads by next year at the latest

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot

The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required

Anton Zajac, the co-founder of Klein Vision, added: ‘AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept; flying at 8,200ft at a speed of 100mph, it has turned science fiction into a reality.’

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot. 

‘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,’ said Dr Branko Sarh, a former Boeing expert.

AirCar Prototype 2, the pre-production model, will be equipped with a 300 horsepower engine

It is expected to have a cruise speed of 300km/h (186mph) and range of 1,000km (621 miles)

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed the AirCar developers plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within the next 12 months

After landing the vehicle then transformed into a sports car in less than three minutes before being driven to the centre of Bratislava on Monday (pictured)

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 100mph, it has turned science fiction into a reality’

The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required.

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed they plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within the next 12 months.

AirCar Prototype 2, the pre-production model, will be equipped with a 300 horsepower engine and is expected to have a cruise speed of 300km/h (186mph) and range of 1,000km (621 miles).

WHAT TYPE OF FLYING TAXIS COULD WE EXPECT TO SEE IN THE FUTURE?

Advances in electric motors, battery technology and autonomous software has triggered an explosion in the field of electric air taxis.

Larry Page, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, has poured millions into aviation start-ups Zee Aero and Kitty Hawk, which are both striving to create all-electric flying cabs.

Kitty Hawk is believed to be developing a flying car and has already filed more than a dozen different aircraft registrations with the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA.

Page, who co-founded Google with Sergey Brin back in 1998, has personally invested $100 million (£70 million) into the two companies, which have yet to publicly acknowledge or demonstrate their technology.

AirSpaceX unveiled its latest prototype, Mobi-One, at the North American International Auto Show in early 2018. Like its closest rivals, the electric aircraft is designed to carry two to four passengers and is capable of vertical take-off and landing

Airbus is also hard at work on an all-electric, vertical-take-off-and-landing craft, with its latest Project Vahana prototype, branded Alpha One, successfully completing its maiden test flight in February 2018.

The self-piloted helicopter reached a height of 16 feet (five metres) before successfully returning to the ground. In total, the test flight lasted 53 seconds.

Airbus previously shared a well-produced concept video, showcasing its vision for Project Vahana.

The footage reveals a sleek self-flying aircraft that seats one passenger under a canopy that retracts in similar way to a motorcycle helmet visor.

Airbus Project Vahana prototype, branded Alpha One, successfully completed its maiden test flight in February 2018. The self-piloted helicopter reached a height of 16 feet (five metres) before successfully returning to the ground. In total, the test flight lasted 53 seconds

AirSpaceX is another company with ambitions to take commuters to the skies.

The Detroit-based start-up has promised to deploy 2,500 aircrafts in the 50 largest cities in the United States by 2026.

AirSpaceX unveiled its latest prototype, Mobi-One, at the North American International Auto Show in early 2018.

Like its closest rivals, the electric aircraft is designed to carry two to four passengers and is capable of vertical take-off and landing.

AirSpaceX has even included broadband connectivity for high speed internet access so you can check your Facebook News Feed as you fly to work.

Aside from passenger and cargo services, AirSpaceX says the craft can also be used for medical and casualty evacuation, as well as tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Even Uber is working on making its ride-hailing service airborne.

Dubbed Uber Elevate, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tentatively discussed the company’s plans during a technology conference in January 2018.

‘I think it’s going to happen within the next 10 years,’ he said.

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