Flying car is somewhat of a misnomer. Many of the current vehicles in development look more like manned drones (VTOL) to comply with regulatory guidelines. A prototype that has just reached a significant milestone is actually a flying car.Klein Vision, a Slovakian company, recently flew its first inter-city flight between Bratislava and Nitra airports. Professor Stefan Klein, the inventor of the vehicle, clicked a button and the car was driven home from the tarmac.Since its inception, the company has been developing hybrid aircraft for over 30 years. Klein is confident that his third prototype will surpass the concept stage after 142 successful landings, and 40 hours of test flight time. The two-seat AirCar achieved a cruising speed at 170 km/h, just slightly less than the maximum speed of 190km/h. Klein claims that the car flew at 8200 feet and made steep 45-degree turns during maneuverability testing. The AirCar, unlike VTOL vehicles requires a runway to takeoff and land.The prototype currently has a 160HP BMW engine and a fixed-propeller. Klein has bigger plans for the follow-up. Klein claims that the 300HP pre-production model will be awarded the CS-23 certification by European aviation regulators for normal, utility aerobatic, and commuter aircrafts.It could be difficult to get there. The company will need to find the right balance between a lightweight aircraft and a larger vehicle that has safety and health precautions. There are signs that regulators are starting to embrace the idea of flying cars. The Federal Aviation Administration granted Terrafugia's air-worthy airplane (S-LSA) a special certificate in light sport, making it legal for flying.
