04 July 2021 || 3 min read
The Klein Vision AirCar, which can transform from road car to aircraft in under 3 minutes, has successfully completed a 35-minute flight between two cities in Slovakia. After landing, the aircraft transitioned from flight mode to road mode and drove to the capital’s city center.
The Klein Vision AirCar Prototype in flight
The test flight covered 60 miles between Nitra to the capital of Bratislava in 35 minutes, with a cruising speed of approximately 118 mph.
This prototype, the AirCar Prototype 1, has 160 horsepower engine, but the next version will feature a 300hp engine to hit speeds of up 186 mph in cruise. Later versions will also increase from 2 seats to 4 seats. The vehicle can transform from air to road mode by folding its wings into its fuselage/frame in under 3 minutes, all at the touch of a button.
The Klein Vision AirCar in road mode, being driven by CEO Stefan Klein.
Klein Vision cites this test flight as important step toward creating the production version of the aircraft. Said CEO Stefan Klein, “This flight starts a new era of dual transportation vehicles. It opens a new category of transportation and returns the freedom originally attributed to cars back to the individual.” Co-founder Anton Zajac added, “AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept, it has turned science fiction into a reality.”
The next version of the aircraft, the pre-production model, will be EASA CS-23 aircraft certification with an M1 road permit. Watch the video of the recent test flight below:
Why it’s important: The Klein Vision AirCar represents an exciting step forward for the world of personal, roadable Aircraft. Although Klein Vision is not the first company to design and prototype a roadable aircraft, it is one of the first to complete such a notable and public test flight. Other designs include AeroMobil’s STOL, the PAL-V Liberty, the Samson SwitchBlade, and the Terrafugia transition. Of these, PAL-V and Terrafugia in particular have made significant process, with the PAL-V Liberty already obtaining road certification and the Terrafugia Transition obtaining FAA certification.
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