Klein Vision AirCar

Slovak designer Professor Štefan Klein began working on flying cars in the late 1980s. Having developed the AeroMobil, he left the company to develop a new idea as the AirCar, and set up Klein Vision with colleague Anton Zajac.Viknesh Vijayenthiran; [https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1132785_klein-vision-s-flying-car-completes-first-intercity-flight "Klein Vision's flying car completes first intercity flight"], Motor Authority, 1 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.Anmol Ahuja; [https://www.stirworld.com/see-news-from-dream-to-reality-klein-vision-s-flying-car-to-glide-over-traffic-woes "From dream to reality: Klein Vision’s 'flying car' to glide over traffic woes"], stir world, 5 Nov 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.

The main fuselage of the AirCar doubles as a two-seat road car with four large road wheels. Styled like a sports coupe, it contributes 30-40 percent of the total lift when in the air. For flight it is fitted with foldout wings and extending tailbooms carrying a high tail. A pusher propeller is permanently installed between the fuselage and tail, and a safety parachute is installed. Construction is primarily a semi-monocoque of carbon fibre composite over a steel subframe. Over 20 programmable servo motors are used to perform the transition between road and air configurations.Jason Ford; [https://www.theengineer.co.uk/aircar-klein-vision-kajac/ "AirCar navigates course to viable flying cars"], The Engineer, 1st July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.William Davis; [https://www.drive.com.au/news/klein-vision-aircar-flying-car-prototype-completes-successful-flight-in-slovakia/ "Klein Vision AirCar: Flying car prototype completes successful flight in Slovakia"], Drive News, 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021. When on the road, the retracted tail surface creates a downforce similar to conventional rear aerofoils.Dave Calderwood; [https://www.flyer.co.uk/the-klein-aircar-takes-over-from-aeromobil/ "The Klein AirCar takes over from AeroMobil"], Flyer, 18 August 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.

Power is provided by a 1.6 litre BMW road car engine, running on automotive petrol or gasoline and delivering {{convert|104|kW|hp}}.

The prototype AirCar is of comparable length to a Mercedes S-Class saloon, at {{convert|5.2|m|ftin}}, and around {{cvt|2|cm|in}} narrower. Overall weight is {{convert|1100|kg|lb}}.

A second, pre-production prototype is expected{{update-inline|date=April 2025}} to have a monocoque fuselage with a more powerful {{convert|220|kW|hp}} engine.Zoe Kleinman; [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57651843 "Flying car completes test flight between airports"], BBC, 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

The design was type certified as an aircraft in January 2022 in Slovakia. It also needs approval as a road vehicle before it can be used as such.

The prototype takes off at around {{convert|120|kph|mph}}, after a run of {{convert|300|m|ft}}. Cruising speed in the air is said to be {{convert|170|kph|knot}} Range is estimated as {{convert|1000|km|mi}}, at an altitude of {{convert|2500|m|ft}}. The current version of the car can reach altitudes of {{convert|4572|m|ft}}. It is said to take two minutes and 15 seconds to transform from car into aircraft.[https://citizenfreepress.com/breaking/flying-car-completes-test-first-flight-video/?fbclid=IwAR3Yr17-ziOtnZSGlx_ruKVyKUuw2pMgfy0_nNuarX6cR5sWaAeJyTFgTBw "Klein Visions AirCar"], Citizen Free Press, June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

The prototype first flew on 22 or 27 October 2020.[https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/klein-vision-vows-to-have-flying-car-on-market-next-year-after-first-sorties/140956.article "Klein Vision vows to have flying car on market next year after first sorties"], FlightGlobal, 4 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

In June 2021 the prototype AirCar carried out a 35-minute flight between Nitra and Bratislava airports.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2tDOYkFCYo "The flying car completes first ever inter-city flight (Official Video)"], Youtube, 29 Jun 2021.

On April 23, 2024 - KleinVision's AirCar took to the skies with electronic music pioneer, Jean-Michel Jarre.{{Cite web |title=Press 2024 – Klein Vision |url=https://www.klein-vision.com/press-2024 |access-date=2024-04-27}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• AeroMobil s.r.o. AeroMobil
• PAL-V - roadable autogyro
• Terrafugia Transition - sports coupe with folding wings

|lists=

}}

{{reflist}}

• Jack Guy; [https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/klein-vision-aircar-completes-35-minute-test-flight-in-slovakia/ar-AALCN4F "Klein Vision AirCar completes 35-minute test flight in Slovakia"], CBS, 30 June 2021.

• [https://www.klein-vision.com Klein Vision company website]

{{Flying cars}}

Category:Roadable aircraft

{{modern-auto-stub}}

{{aircraft-stub}}