Aeromobil flying car set to conquer the skies in 2016

One of the biggest leaps in the automotive world is set to take place two years from now- a flying car is coming in 2016. And it seems it could give the DeLorean from Back to the Future a run for its money. The Aeromobil flying car is a prototype of a roadable aircraft that was developed by Slovakian designer Stefan Klein, which can transform from an automobile to an aircraft. It took his team 20 years to develop the flying car and in 2013 it made its first flight. The Aeromobil is currently in its 4^th stage of development and is aptly named the Aeromobil 3.0. Klein and his team is currently in the phase of further developing the concept car which can accommodate two people. Its developers said that it will have an autopilot as part of its driving system.  

Flying colors performance

  The Aeromobil is made of light weight materials, making it weigh only 450 kilograms (much like your typical subcompact hatchback such as the Ford Fiesta) with a length of 8.2 meters and an extended wingspan of 1.6 meters. It uses a 1 x Rotax 912 four cylinder, air cooled, horizontally-opposed aircraft engine that bolsters 100 horsepower enabling it to run 160 kph at maximum road speed. While on the road, it can travel at a fuel consumption of just 12.5  km/L, which is almost the same efficiency as some crossover SUVs. In flight, this lightweight vehicle has a takeoff speed of 130 kph and a fuel consumption of 15 liters per hour. Its steel framework and carbon coating include its collapsible wings and it is propeller driven.

Never get stuck in traffic again

Aeromobil Flying Car

The Aeromobil is more reminiscent of an airplane than a car. It has a streamline cockpit, foldable wings and a sleek tail fin at the back. Based on its test drives, the flying car can fly just a few meters above ground. Klein calls this concept an “intersection between technology and art.” Its Slovakian designers have also stepped into promoting and demonstrating the concept flying vehicle to investors and manufacturers. Should a deal materialize, it would take an additional two years before it could get certification to go into production and hit the streets.

Other flying cars

The Aeromobil is not the only flying car in the world. In fact, two other cars with the same concept have been developed almost simultaneously with the Slovak craft. The Terrafugia, a US based vehicle with vertically folded wings and the PAL-V, a Dutch designed three wheeled vehicle that can turn into a gyrocopter.