This week, a vehicle that can fly in the air and drive on the roads was able to complete a monumental journey.Stefan Klein, the founder and CEO at R&D company Klein Vision drove his prototype AirCar from Germany to Nitra International Airport in Slovakia. He then motored down the runway before taking off. After landing at Bratislava's airport, he flew the 35-minute trip to Bratislava. He then drove the two-passenger vehicle into downtown, three minutes later. Below is a video that captures key moments of the amazing ride.Klein has been working on a flying car for over 20 years. Although his vehicle has been tested on more than 140 flights, this week's outing was the most ambitious.The dual-mode vehicle can retract/deploy its wings and tail with a simple push of a button in just 135 seconds. This allows it to take to the roads or the skies.The gasoline-powered AirCar is powered by a BMW engine with a fixed-propeller. The maximum speed at which it can travel is 119 mph (190 km/h), and the highest altitude of flight was 2,500m (8,200ft). The AirCar's next generation is expected to reach 186 mph 300 km/h (162kt), and can travel up to 621 miles (1,001 km) with a single tank.Digital Trends has featured some of the most innovative designs in flying cars. However, many vehicles cannot fly and can't be converted into roadworthy vehicles. Many of these vehicles, however, can take off and land vertically unlike the AirCar. This makes them great for urban travel. They are also electric, while the AirCar requires gasoline.Klein's main focus was still on something worthy of the flying car label.The inventor released that this flight marks the beginning of a new era in dual-transportation vehicles. This new type of transport opens up a new realm and gives the individual the freedom that cars once enjoyed.To make Klein's unique vehicle mainstream, it will first need to convince regulators that its safety and durability are assured. AirCar owners will also need to hold a pilots license in order to receive the full benefits.All that said, we may not see Kleins flying car soon on our roads, but we can all agree that it is a cool looking machine and an amazing achievement.Editors' Recommendations
