Flying cars, once the stuff of “The Jetsons” cartoons, have been in the works for years. As a kid of the 1970s I truly believed flying cars would be a thing by the time I was an adult. While they are not here yet for consumers, there have been many innovators working to create the first consumer flying car.
Former President Trump even has an interest in what he calls “vertical takeoff-and-landing vehicles (VTOL).” If re-elected in 2024, Trump has an interest in making this mode of transportation a reality.
Let’s take a look at some of the flying cars that have been tested over the years.
PAL-V Liberty
The PAL-V Liberty is a two-seat vehicle that can transform from a road-going car to a gyrocopter in about 10 minutes. On the ground, it has a top speed of 100 mph and a range of about 817 miles. In the air, it can reach speeds up to 112 mph with a range of 310 miles and a maximum altitude of 3,500 meters. Powered by a 100 hp engine for driving and a 200 hp engine for flying, the Liberty requires a short runway of 590-1,082 feet for takeoff and only 98 feet for landing.
PAL-V, a Dutch company, began development in 2001 and unveiled the production model in 2017. The first customer deliveries were initially planned for 2018 but have faced delays. As of 2024, the company is working on final certifications and aiming to start deliveries soon. The vehicle complies with both road and air regulations in Europe and the US, requiring users to have both a driver’s license and a gyroplane pilot’s license to operate it.
ConvAirCar
The ConvAirCar, also known as the Hall Flying Automobile, was developed by Theodore P. Hall in 1946. The first model was the 116; in 1947, model 118 was released.
It consisted of a fiberglass car body attached to a detachable airplane unit with wings and a propeller. The ConvAirCar made its first and only test flight in November 1947, staying airborne for about an hour. Despite generating considerable public interest, the project was ultimately abandoned due to a crash during a demonstration flight and financial difficulties.
Curtiss AutoPlane
The Curtiss AutoPlane, developed by Glenn Curtiss in 1917, is considered one of the earliest attempts at creating a flying car. It featured a triplane wing configuration attached to an aluminum body resembling an automobile.
Although it could only hop short distances rather than achieve sustained flight, it represented an essential step in combining ground and air transportation.
Waterman Arrowbile
The Waterman Arrowbile was a pioneering flying car designed by Waldo Waterman in the 1930s. First taken to the skies in 1937, this unique vehicle could drive on roads and fly in the air. Its design featured detachable road-use wings, a pusher propeller, and tricycle landing gear. What stood out on this plane was the lack of a tail.
Powered by a Studebaker engine, the Arrowbile could reach speeds of 112 mph in the air and 56 mph on the ground. The design was based on Waterman’s earlier tailless aircraft, showcasing his innovative approach to aviation. Only five Arrowbiles were ever built, making it a rare and fascinating piece of aviation history that bridged the gap between automobiles and aircraft. One is available for viewing at the National Air and Space Museum.
Jess Dixon’s Flying Auto
Jess Dixon’s Flying Auto was a homemade flying car built in the 1940s by a farmer from Andalusia, Alabama. It was constructed using a Chevrolet car body with wings and a propeller attached.
While details about its actual flight capabilities are limited, Dixon’s creation garnered significant local attention and represented the grassroots enthusiasm for flying cars in mid-20th century America.
Piasecki VZ-8 AirGeep
The Piasecki AirGeep, also known as the VZ-8, was a flying jeep prototype developed in the late 1950s. It used two tandem, shrouded rotors for vertical lift and forward propulsion.
While it demonstrated good stability and control, the project was ultimately discontinued as the Army shifted focus to helicopter development.
Klein Vision
The Klein Vision flying car, also known as the AirCar, is a dual-mode vehicle that can transform from a road-legal car into a functional aircraft. Developed by Slovakian company Klein Vision, this innovative vehicle features retractable wings and a rear-mounted propeller that deploy for flight mode.
It has successfully completed inter-city test flights in Slovakia, demonstrating its ability to transition between driving and flying modes in just a few minutes. While still in development and not yet commercially available, the Klein Vision flying car represents a significant step towards realizing the long-held dream of personal flying vehicles for everyday transportation.
AVE Mizar
The Ave Mizar was an ambitious flying car project developed in the 1970s. It combined a Ford Pinto with a Cessna Skymaster airframe. The vehicle could drive on roads and fly in the air. It had folding wings for street use. In flight mode, it used the Cessna’s engine and propeller.
On the ground, it ran on the Pinto’s engine. Only three prototypes were ever built. Tragically, the project ended when one crashed in 1973, killing the inventor. The Ave Mizar never reached production, but it remains an intriguing chapter in the history of flying cars.
Samson Switchblade
Samson Motorworks introduced a mock-up of the Samson Switchblade at AirVenture in 2009. This three-wheel vehicle is street-legal and features wings and a tail that can extend in just under 3 minutes.
The two-seater can reach 200 mph in flight or 125 mph on the road. The Switchblade is in the Experimental/Homebuilt category, which requires owners to build at least 51% of their vehicle. This part of the build can be done at a Switchblade Builder Assist Center. Consumers can reserve a Switchblade at a starting price of $170,000.
Terrafugia Transition
The Terrafugia Transition is a more modern flying car that has been extensively developed since 2006. It features folding wings and can transform from car to aircraft in under a minute.
Despite numerous delays, it received FAA certification in 2021, marking a significant milestone in flying car technology. In 2021, the company laid off most employees with the goal of moving to China.
Fulton Airphibian
The Fulton Airphibian was a flying car developed in 1946. Robert Edison Fulton Jr. designed it, which could function as a car and an airplane.
The Airphibian received FAA certification in 1950. However, due to financial constraints, it never went into mass production. One of the four prototypes was restored in the mid-1990s and remains on display in the National Air and Space Museum.
Aerocar
Moulton Taylor designed and built the Aerocar in 1949. He was inspired by a visit to fellow aircar enthusiast Robert E. Fulton, Jr., who built the Airphibian.
The Aerocar could transform from auto to aircraft in less than 15 minutes. The wings and tail could be towed or left home, and the wings could be folded and pinned into place. The Aerocar received CAA certification in 1956, but due to low interest, production was halted. Six models were built, and a few are on display at various museums.
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