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History-making flying car with passenger

A mind-blowing flying car has made history after conducting the world’s first flight with a passenger.

‘Pretty schmick’: Flying car certified to take to the skies

A mind-blowing flying car has made history after conducting the world’s first flight with a passenger.

Music legend Jean-Michel Jarre, 75, took off in KleinVision’s half-plane hybrid, known as the AirCar, in Slovakia this week to mark the company’s latest milestone.

The French electronic artist completed two flights in the futuristic vehicle at Piestany international airport in front of mesmerised onlookers, The Sun reports.

The AirCar has conducted its first flight with a passenger. Picture: Klein Vision
The AirCar has conducted its first flight with a passenger. Picture: Klein Vision

Made in Slovakia by Professor Stefan Klein and KleinVision’s co-founder Anton Zajac, the AirCar was approved for flight in 2022 following more than 200 successful takeoffs and landings.

The year before, the record-breaking vehicle had become the first flying car to complete an intercity flight.

Now, a successful flight involving a passenger has been added to the growing list of milestones.

Music legend Jean-Michel Jarre, 75, completed two flights in the flying car in Slovakia. Picture: Klein Vision
Music legend Jean-Michel Jarre, 75, completed two flights in the flying car in Slovakia. Picture: Klein Vision

As a long-time supporter of future tech, Jarre jumped at the chance to become part of history.

“One second you speak to the driver, and next, you are up there in the air. An amazing experience,” he said.

The AirCar is able to transform from a sports car into a plane within minutes.

The 1,000kg two-seat dual-mode prototype has foldable wings and a propeller on the back, and only needs 300 metres of runway to get off the ground and into the sky.

The inside of the half-plane hybrid. Picture: Klein Vision
The inside of the half-plane hybrid. Picture: Klein Vision

It previously featured on one episode of The Grand Tour, where Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May watched it take off and land.

Footage also showed the vehicle flying at up to 193km at 2438 metres high.

The AirCar is currently powered by 1.6L BMW engine, although the eventual plan is to move to electric power.

The flying car has been designed by Slovakian company KleinVision. Picture: Klein Vision
The flying car has been designed by Slovakian company KleinVision. Picture: Klein Vision
The 1,000kg two-seat dual-mode prototype has foldable wings and a propeller on the back. Picture: Klein Vision
The 1,000kg two-seat dual-mode prototype has foldable wings and a propeller on the back. Picture: Klein Vision

“As soon as the technology improves, we will simply run on batteries,” Mr Zajac told Sky News.

“We are bridging the gap between the road and the sky, giving cars the freedom they symbolised 50 years ago.”

It can reach speeds of up to 193km at 2438 metres high. Picture: Klein Vision
It can reach speeds of up to 193km at 2438 metres high. Picture: Klein Vision
More than 200 takeoffs and landings have been successfully completed. Picture: Klein Vision
More than 200 takeoffs and landings have been successfully completed. Picture: Klein Vision
The flying car can transform from a sports car into a plane within minutes. Picture: Klein Vision
The flying car can transform from a sports car into a plane within minutes. Picture: Klein Vision

The Slovakian government announced plans for flying taxis to be a reality by 2030 in its Future of Flight action plan.

Mr Zajac has high hopes that the AirCar will hit the market in around a year, however.

But in order to operate the vehicle, you’ll need to have both a driver’s licence and a pilot’s licence.

On top of that, you’ll also need to undertake a specialised two-to-three month flying course.

Last month, Tech firm Alef Aeronautics released footage of its own flying car soaring over a busy city.

Dubbed the “commute of the future”, the vehicle can drive on roads and take off to avoid traffic jams.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/historymaking-flying-car-with-passenger/news-story/dcc2648e3b39af9d80478057e23f821c