The Wright Brothers were the first to successfully produce a flying machine in 1903, but while we now have aeroplanes carrying out hundreds of flights a day, a flying car is still an idea that hasn’t been fully achieved. Or has it?
We’ve rounded up a whole selection of flying vehicles that can be used on the road and in the air. Some are fully functional while others are still in a prototype phase.
So let us celebrate these magnificent men and their flying machines.
AeroMobil 4.0
The AeroMobil 3.0, created by Slovakian companyAeroMobil, is probably what you would you draw if someone asked you what a flying car looks like. When in car mode, the wings store neatly along the fuselage and open up when you want to take to the skies.
It has what you would consider conventional wheels, that are incredibly light and strong enough to handle landings at airports. The interior isn’t too dissimilar to cars on the road today, with screens that display road information when in car mode, and switch to flight info when you take off.
AeroMobil says it should be fully operational by 2020.
Alauda Mk3
This isn’t just any flying car, the Alauda Mk3 is aflying race car. The idea behind this car is to kick start a new sport of full-fledged flying car racing, which sounds incredible.
The car is remotely flown in order to keep pilots safe. But the data gathered will give the teams data on the effects of rapid turning, acceleration and deceleration which will be useful in future.
Find out more about it here,
Autogyro GyroDrive
TheNirvana Autogyro GyroDriveis the project of 51-year-old Czech Pavel Brezina. It’s primarily a mini helicopter, similar to Little Nellie from the James Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’, but can also be used on the road.
Prezina believes his creation is the first road-certified flying vehicle and prices start at $63,500 but can rise to in excess of $180,000 depending on specification.
DeLorean DR-7
TheDeLorean DR-7is the brainchild of Paul DeLorean, nephew of John who famously created the iconic DMC-12. Paul now owns and runs DeLorean Aerospace and the DR-7 is its first project. The DR-7 has completed its proof-of-concept testing and is currently seeking funding to carry out a manned test flight. It’s hoping to be operational from the end of 2018 and if and when it eventually goes on sale, it’s expected to fetch between $250,000-$300,000.
Cartivator Skydrive
TheSkydrive projecthas been made possible after it won a competition in 2014 and since then, has obtained funding from various companies including Toyota. A full-scale model is in development now with the hope that mass-market models will be available by 2030.
In 2020 SkyDrive conducted itsfirst public manned flightin Japan, so the future is certainly bright.
It’s essentially a large drone that will be able to hover just above public roads to ferry passengers around. Cartivator has made it its mission to be able to light the Olympic flame at Tokyo 2020 from a Skydrive vehicle.
Liliumis the world’s first fully-electric VTOL (vertical take off and landing) vehicle. It can transport up to seven passengers, but rather than you being able to own one, it will be used as an air-taxi where you can pay-per-ride. This also means it won’t actually drive on the road, but instead replace conventional taxis.
Lilium says you will able to use its jet to get from London to Paris in an hour, or Manhattan, New York to JFK Airport is just 5 minutes, instead of a 55-minute taxi ride. Prices are said to be affordable too, with that latter journey costing around $36.
The company recently got a cash injection of around $830 million, so we’re expecting to see more about this in the near future.
Lilium expects to have an operational fleet that can be summoned via an app by 2024.
Terrafugia TF-X
TheTerrafugia TF-Xwill have folding-wing technology that will allow it to transform from car to flying vehicle in under a minute. Better still, you won’t need to head to an airport to take off, as long as you have a clearing of at least 30 metres in diameter, you’ll be good to go.
The TF-X will have a complete autopilot mode that will take off, fly and land for you. All you need to do is set the course. Pricing has yet to be announced, but Terrafugia says it will be in line with high-end luxury cars.
TheEhang 184flies in an inverted U-shape, where you set a designated target (it can only fly short and medium distances) and it will go up, across and back down in a vertical line. It’s entirely autonomous, so you won’t need to get involved with the actual flying and if it detects any problems, it will automatically land in the closest and safest area.
Flikeis a tricopter that can carry one person with a weight up to 100kgs, Flike says it is capable of unmanned autonomous flight too. It’s claimed to be very easy to fly as the onboard computer does most of the work, however you will need a microlight pilot’s license in order to fly it. Flike hasn’t put a price on its tricopter yet, but says it will be “comparable to sports cars”
Pal-V Liberty
ThePal-V Libertyis the same size as your average car, so aims to not look out of place on the roads. It can transform from car to gyroplane at the press of a button, allowing you take off to the skies in no time at all. Pal-V says if you’re flying and you encounter bad weather, you may land, drive to somewhere safer and take off again. Pal-V hasn’t said when the Liberty will go on sale, but you can order the Pioneer edition (of which only 90 will be made) for €499,000. A standard Sport version will be available at a later date for €299,000.
