Tech

This Working Flying Car Prototype Is Absolutely Stunning

Jillian D'Onfro
2014-11-28T22:32:00Z
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The flying car in action. Pioneers/JFDI GmbH

Flying cars might not be science fiction for long.

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Stefan Klein and Juraj Vaculik, cofounders of a Slovakian startup called AeroMobil, have created a beautiful prototype that has already been on several successful test flights. 

We touched base with Klein and Vaculik to hear more about their amazing vehicle.

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AeroMobil cofounder Stefan Klein first started dreaming up designs more than 20 years ago. Here's one of his sketches from the early 90s.

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AeroMobil

Fast forward almost 25 years, and here's the team with the AeroMobil 3.0.

AeroMobil 3 airplane configuration team 2014
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"To marry the car and the airplane is an interesting engineering and design challenge," Klein told Business Insider via email.

AeroMobil 3 first flight over horizon profile
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"Approaching this challenge just by adding wings to the car or modifying the airplane to fit the road was not an option for us."

AeroMobil 3 airplane configuration from above Juraj Vaculik
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The AeroMobil 3.0 is designed for both functionality and aesthetics.

AeroMobil 3 from above airplane configuration backview
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Although people call AeroMobil 3.0 a "multi-modal vehicle” or a "flying car," the cofounders prefer to think of their creation as being in a whole new category.

AeroMobil 3 airplane configuration front in hangar
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In the same way that a motorcycle isn't simply a two-wheeled car or a bicycle with an engine, cofounder Juraj Vaculik explains, the AeroMobil 3.0 is a completely new beast.

AeroMobil 3 airplane configuration front mask open cockpit
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When in flight mode, the vehicle has retractable wings and a back propeller.

AeroMobil 3 back view car configuration in hangar
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In flight, it can reach 124 miles per hour and fly for 430 miles with a full tank of gas.

AeroMobil 3 detail back view perspective propeller
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With its wings folded back, the AeroMobil is designed to drive on regular roads.

AeroMobil 3 profile view car configuration in hangar facing left
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Owners could park it in normal parking spots and fill up its gas at normal gas stations. It gets 29 miles per gallon.

AeroMobil 3 from above car configuration open cockpit
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He says the team wants to bring its "flying roadster" to market in the next two or three years.

AeroMobil 3 from above car configuration
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The vehicle seats two people.

AeroMobil 3 interior perspective view seating detail
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And is equipped with all the dashboards needed for flight.

AeroMobil 3 interior from above in the dark
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The first model of the AeroMobil to hit the market will be very high-end, produced in a limited edition.

AeroMobil 3 interior open cockpit profile view
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But the team wants its second product to be priced alongside other luxury cars.

AeroMobil 3 interior perspective in the dark
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"And let me confess, for the author/designer there are two moments of fascination: first, to see the object from the outside, to perceive its design, lines, shape, the 'physical attractiveness,'" Klein says.

AeroMobil 3 car configuration front mask dark with lights on
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"And the second, to see the surroundings from inside of the car/plane, to become a part of the created object – that is probably the strongest moment."

AeroMobil 3 first flight bottom view over the village
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That's right: The AeroMobil 3 has gone on several successful test flights.

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The flying car in action. Pioneers/JFDI GmbH

It needs about 200 meters for take-offs and landings.

AeroMobil 3 first flight take off front view
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The AeroMobil team sees the vehicle eventually making traffic more efficient by allowing people to use the air for journeys up to 500 miles.

AeroMobil 3 first flight take off
AeroMobil

 

"Our intention is to change the world of personal travel," Klein says.

AeroMobil 3 in the hangar ready for drive sunset
AeroMobil

 

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"We want to bring back the excitement which we once had when we drove cars or flew airplanes."

AeroMobil 3 at the airport open cockpit
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Watch the company's official promo video:

 

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Amazon fulfillment center in Skewen, Wales (2011). Matt Cardy/Getty Images

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