Close-up of a super sports car that can 'transform' into an airplane, costing up to 1 million USD

A flying car capable of converting from a road vehicle to an air vehicle has been certified as airworthy in Slovakia, paving the way for mass production.

The Slovak Transport Authority awarded the AirCar Certificate of Airworthiness to Klein Vision's AirCar at the end of January, after the vehicle successfully completed more than 70 hours of test flight.

This 'transforming car' can transform from a sports car to an airplane in less than three minutes.

The AirCar, developed by Klein Vision, has received a certificate of airworthiness from the Slovak Transport Authority.

Certification is issued after 75 hours of flight testing, with more than 220 takeoffs and landings performed.

Anton Zajac, co-founder of Klein Vision, says a team of eight people has been developing the prototype since 2017, totaling about 100,000 hours of work.

AirCar completed its first intercity flight last June, flying from the international airport in Nitra, Slovakia, to the international airport in Bratislava, Slovakia. The flight took a total of 35 minutes.

Upon arrival, the AirCar was transformed into a sports car and driven to downtown Bratislava.

AirCar is not limited to only operating at airports. According to Zajac, it can take off and land anywhere as long as the qualified property owner allows it.

The current model can travel for a range of about 600 km, flying at a speed of 225 km / h. According to Zajac, a new version will have a range of about 1013 km.

The AirCar is powered by a 1.6L BMW engine and runs on anywhere petrol fuel.

The flying car is also equipped with a parachute in case of an emergency or engine failure.

It has a weight of 1,100 kg and can accommodate two people. Zajac says the company plans to introduce a three-seater model, as well as a version that can operate on water.

Since the AirCar is seen by the regulator as an aircraft, a pilot's license is required to fly it.

According to Zajac, the certification is a "major milestone", not only in delivering a flying car that meets European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, but also in the future. mass production of such vehicles in the future.

Meeting EASA regulations allows AirCars to fly in any country in the European Union, with approval from local authorities. Zajac says the company is also currently seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Depending on factors such as the electronic control system fitted, the AirCar will cost between $500,000 and $1 million. Zajac said the company has begun taking orders from "selected" customers and expects deliveries to begin in late 2023.