A concept of a flying car is turning into reality, and maybe we see more cars flying in the sky. However, it takes decades to make this type of thing into reality and commercially available to the public.
Recently, Slovakia-based firm Klein Vision developed a flying car prototype named AirCar. The AirCar completed its 100 Km test flight between Nitra to Bratislava city in 35 minutes. Completing its journey safely between two cities is historic, especially for its inventors.
AirCar Power
The AirCar offers dual mode, a car and an aircraft. It uses a BMW 1.6-litre petrol engine that gives 140 PS of power. The estimated range is about 1000 Km and consumes around 18 litres of petrol per hour.
BMW powered AirCar required 300 metres of runway for take-off. While taking off, it can reach up to 200 km/h of speed and cruise at around 190 km/h in the air. Excellent weight distribution done by engineers, the car weighed about 1100 Kg with an additional 200kg capacity for passengers.
Excellent work on weight management. The car weight is about 1100 Kg with an additional 200kg capacity for passengers. The Flying car already finished 142 successful landings so far, including the recent one. Besides, the landing process is more sophisticated than a take-off.
However, AirCar lacks vertical take-off and landing hence required a runway to fly. Moreover, it is capable of flying at 190km/h at an altitude of 8200 feet. Surprisingly, AirCar is not using any custom or big engine. It seems that BMW’s engine is generating enough thrust.
Road Car to Flying Car in 3 minutes
From road car to flying car, it needs few minutes to convert. The AirCar takes about 3 minutes to open its wings and extend the tail section. Indeed the transformation is fast and impressive. Moreover, the car frame looks robust, and the initial impression is good.
A car flying in the sky is a significant development in human history. Although, it needs more research and development to put the flying car in the final phase. Just like, vertical take-off and landing is an essential feature that flying cars must-have. Sample video below.
Some Problems
Just imagine if 50% of today’s cars are flying cars like AirCar. Not only we will need infrastructure, new rules but also skilled drivers. Because driving in the sky is not as easy as on the roads.
Also, countries have to secure their respective borders so that no flying car can cross the international border accidentally or illegally. Some countries are currently dealing with intrusion problems by land. And unfortunately, flying cars can make it easy through the sky.
Despite these issues, how countries governments will react to the flying car concept is another matter. The AirCar is not coming any time soon for the public. Furthermore, we will see more flying car models in the years ahead.
More Powerful AirCar is Coming
Klein Vision plans on using a more powerful 300PS engine in its second AirCar prototype. Currently, the BMW engine is generating 140PS of power. Some significant upgrades we can see in the next prototype with an improved engine.
Instead of a petrol engine, inventors also needed to look for an electric engine as its popularity continues to grow. And in future, we will get to see many electric cars on the road. Also, new battery technology is in research like Aluminium-Air batteries.
One thing we have to keep in mind that a flying car successfully completed its 100Km journey that too with a safe landing.