Flying car bids to soar above rivals

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a flying car.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Apr 2017, 17:27 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:41 BST
AeroMobil displayed their latest prototype of a flying car, in Monaco.AeroMobil displayed their latest prototype of a flying car, in Monaco.
AeroMobil displayed their latest prototype of a flying car, in Monaco.

Slovakian company AeroMobil has unveiled its version of a flying car, a light frame plane whose wings can fold back, like an insect, and is boosted by a hybrid engine and rear propeller.

It will be available to pre-order as soon as this year, but is not for everyone: as well as having a large price tag, buyers will also need a pilot's licence to be able to use it in the air.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I think it's going to be a very niche product," said Philip Mawby, professor of electronic engineering and head of research at the University of Warwick.

The AeroMobil prototype of a flying car. The light frame plane whose wings can fold back, like an insect is boosted by a rear propeller.The AeroMobil prototype of a flying car. The light frame plane whose wings can fold back, like an insect is boosted by a rear propeller.
The AeroMobil prototype of a flying car. The light frame plane whose wings can fold back, like an insect is boosted by a rear propeller.

Several companies are working on flying cars, either like Aeromobil's two-seater that needs a runway or others that function more like helicopters, lifting off vertically.

But not many companies are seriously looking at marketing these vehicles anytime soon, Mr Mawby said.

"The technology is there... The question is bringing it to the market at an affordable cost, and making it a useful product."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Among the big questions is how to control the air traffic if there are hundreds of such vehicles zipping through the air. There is no control except for traditional aircraft, notes Mr Mawby.

AeroMobil display a rear view of their latest prototype of a flying car, in MonacoAeroMobil display a rear view of their latest prototype of a flying car, in Monaco
AeroMobil display a rear view of their latest prototype of a flying car, in Monaco

So while vehicles like the AeroMobil could be used for recreational purposes by people who have a large piece of land, flying cars are unlikely to become a mass market reality anytime soon, he said.

The AeroMobil has a driving range of about 62 miles and a top speed of 99mph. When flying, its maximum cruising range is 466 miles, and it takes about three minutes for the car to transform into a plane.

The previous AeroMobil 3.0 prototype made news in 2014 when it was presented in Vienna, but no test-flight took place then.

It crashed during a test-flight in Slovakia in 2015 with its inventor Stefan Klein on board. He escaped largely unharmed.

Related topics:University of Warwick