By: Madison Bowden
It’s a car! It’s a plane! No, it’s- both! Klein Vision, a Slovakian company, made history as their flying car, named “AirCar,” was certified to hit the roads and the sky. The breakthrough will allow the business of flying cars to finally flourish, as AirCar won its Certificate of Airworthiness after completing 70 hours of “rigorous flight testing” in January of this year, according to Klein Vision- the company responsible for the innovation.
To operate the advanced machinery, the driver must obtain a pilot license. “The vehicle can fly at a maximum altitude of 18,000 feet,” stated Anton Zajac, the co-founder of Klein Vision. But interestingly enough, the hybrid runs on a BMW battery and consumes standard petrol-pump fuel.
Klein Vision shares that AirCar was first introduced into experimental tests in October of 2019 and introduced into the public in November of the same year. Stefan Klein, founder, CEO and test pilot of Klein Vision, shared that he has devoted around the last 20 years toward the effort and has studied technology and art at multiple universities around the world. The history of the Klein flying car dates back to 1989 and has made many innovations to their machinery since.
“AirCar certification opens the door for mass production of very efficient flying cars.”
Stefan Klein
In all, Klein-Vision has spent over 100,000 hours creating the masterpiece. As shared on their website, the company spent more than 70 hours of test flying AirCar with 200 takeoffs and landings to get the vehicle certified. Using advanced technology, such as retractable wings, a parachute system, folding tail surfaces and a spacious inside allow for a more smooth look and feeling in the driver’s seat.
Exclusive photos taken during the manufacturing process and the inside perspective of AirCar. [Photo Credit: klein-vision.com]
With a world constantly changing and growing, many people cannot wait to see what the future holds with this new advancement in both the vehicle and aviation world.
According to bbc.com, Zajac said even if the company attracted a small percentage of global airline or taxi sales, it would be hugely successful.
“There are about 40,000 orders of aircraft in the United States alone, and if we convert 5% of those, to change the aircraft for the flying car – we have a huge market.”
Anton Zajac, co-founder of Klein Vision
After hearing the exciting news of AirCar winning the certification, Dr. Steve Wright, a senior researcher in avionics and aircraft systems, at the University of the West of England, expressed his excitement about the advancement.
“[The news was] a good step down the road [for the company, and made him] cautiously optimistic that I am going to see a few AirCars one day – but I think there is still a way to go”.
Dr. Steve Wright
Works Cited
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/25/business/flying-car-aircar-dual-mode-vehicle-intl-scli/index.html
THE WARRIOR WORD 
Wow! I’ve always wondered why we don’t already have flying cars! This is great to hear! Thanks!
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