This week Klein Vision’s AirCar completed a 35 minute flight from Nitra to Bratislava in Slovakia.

With a click of a button after landing, the aircraft transformed into a sports car in under three minutes and was driven by its inventor, Professor Stefan Klein and co-founder, Anton Zajac to downtown Bratislava – cutting the typical travel time in two.

This 142nd successful landing is a huge development milestone for the company and the dual mode car-aircraft vehicle is inching its way towards production.

Turning science fiction into reality

“This flight starts a new era of dual transportation vehicles.” Professor Klein said.

“It opens a new category of transportation and returns the freedom originally attributed to cars back to the individual.”

“AirCar is no longer just a proof of concept; flying at 8,200ft at a speed of 100kt, it has turned science fiction into a reality,” added Zajac.

Don’t worry it comes with a parachute

The AirCar Prototype 1 is equipped with a 160HP BMW engine with fixed-propeller and a ballistic parachute.

Under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority, the AirCar has completed over 40 hours of test flights, including steep 45 degree turns and stability and maneuverability testing.

It’s also flown at 8200 ft and reached a maximum cruising speed of 190km/h (103kt).

Prototype 2 underway

While you probably won’t be commuting with the AirCar like Marty McFly just yet, the reality of flying cars isn’t too far away

The company’s AirCar Prototype 2, the pre-production model, will be equipped with a 300HP engine and will have EASA CS-23 aircraft certification with an M1 road permit.

With its variable pitch propeller, the Prototype 2 is expected to have a cruise speed of 300km/h (162kt) and range of 1000km (621mi).