Can flying cars ever take off, would you want to own one

[Rimmer]

I remember when our idea of a flying car was just that, a car with a set of wings and a propeller that landed on a road or short air strip.

 

 

 

 

but now they seem to have evolved from electric drone technology with electric motors at each corner and can take off vertically from any available surface.

 

 

 

They have long been a symbol of futuristic technology, but whether they'll become a mainstream success depends on several factors—technology, infrastructure, regulations, and public adoption. Let’s break it down:

1. Technological Feasibility

Flying cars are already more than just a concept. Companies like AeroMobil, PAL-V, and Klein Vision have developed prototypes that function both as road vehicles and aircraft. For example, Klein Vision’s AirCar completed a 35-minute test flight between two cities in Slovakia in 2021. Similarly, Joby Aviation and Volocopter are working on electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), focusing on urban air mobility.

However, challenges remain:

• Battery limitations for electric models, which affect flight time and range.
• Safety mechanisms need to be foolproof, as air accidents can be catastrophic.
• Noise pollution could be a major issue, especially in urban areas.

2. Infrastructure and Regulations

For flying cars to succeed, cities need infrastructure like vertiports for takeoff and landing, air traffic management systems to avoid collisions, and charging stations for electric models. Airspace regulations would also need to evolve. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are already working on frameworks, but mass adoption will require consistent global standards.

3. Cost and Accessibility

Right now, flying cars are luxury items. Klein Vision’s AirCar is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Until production scales up, prices will remain out of reach for the average consumer. Moreover, users would need both a driver’s license and a pilot’s license—a significant barrier unless automation improves.

4. Public Adoption and Practicality

Even if flying cars become affordable, will people actually use them? Practical concerns include:

• Noise and privacy: Imagine dozens of flying cars buzzing over residential neighborhoods.
• Weather dependency: Unlike traditional cars, flying vehicles would be heavily impacted by wind, rain, and fog.
• Learning curve: Piloting even a semi-autonomous flying car might intimidate many.

Potential Success Stories

• Urban Air Taxis: Companies like Uber Elevate (now acquired by Joby Aviation) are focusing on flying taxis rather than personal flying cars. Short-distance urban flights could alleviate traffic congestion in megacities like Tokyo, Los Angeles, or Dubai (which already tested flying taxis).

• Emergency Services and Niche Use: Flying vehicles could revolutionize emergency response, enabling quicker rescues in hard-to-reach areas, or serve industries like agriculture and military operations.

Conclusion

Flying cars may not become the norm for personal transportation anytime soon, but they have a strong chance of succeeding in specific sectors like urban air taxis, emergency services, or luxury travel. For them to truly "take off" in the mainstream, breakthroughs in technology, infrastructure, and regulation are needed, alongside a shift in public perception.

 

Would you want to own one or even hop in a flying car if they became available?

[connda]

Already here, but my biggest concern is how many people will get chopped up on the rotors.
And given the price tag, I won't be joining the Jetsons in this lifetime.

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3258401/china-clears-first-evtol-aircraft-production-low-altitude-economy-takes-wing

 

 

Would I want one?  Yeah, there was a day back when I was a private pilot.  Now?  Piloting is a game for younger folk.  Self-driving.  If affordable, sure, why not?

[Celsius]

Would visa run to Laos ce in flying death coffins.

 

 

[pgrahmm]

No thanks, imagine the fall out - literally.....

Picture 10's of 1,000's of unskilled people caught up in  commute swarms.....

[Nid_Noi]

On 2/7/2025 at 3:30 PM, Rimmer said:

I remember when our idea of a flying car was just that, a car with a set of wings and a propeller that landed on a road or short air strip.

 

 

 

 

but now they seem to have evolved from electric drone technology with electric motors at each corner and can take off vertically from any available surface.

 

 

 

They have long been a symbol of futuristic technology, but whether they'll become a mainstream success depends on several factors—technology, infrastructure, regulations, and public adoption. Let’s break it down:

1. Technological Feasibility

Flying cars are already more than just a concept. Companies like AeroMobil, PAL-V, and Klein Vision have developed prototypes that function both as road vehicles and aircraft. For example, Klein Vision’s AirCar completed a 35-minute test flight between two cities in Slovakia in 2021. Similarly, Joby Aviation and Volocopter are working on electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), focusing on urban air mobility.

However, challenges remain:

• Battery limitations for electric models, which affect flight time and range.
• Safety mechanisms need to be foolproof, as air accidents can be catastrophic.
• Noise pollution could be a major issue, especially in urban areas.

2. Infrastructure and Regulations

For flying cars to succeed, cities need infrastructure like vertiports for takeoff and landing, air traffic management systems to avoid collisions, and charging stations for electric models. Airspace regulations would also need to evolve. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are already working on frameworks, but mass adoption will require consistent global standards.

3. Cost and Accessibility

Right now, flying cars are luxury items. Klein Vision’s AirCar is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Until production scales up, prices will remain out of reach for the average consumer. Moreover, users would need both a driver’s license and a pilot’s license—a significant barrier unless automation improves.

4. Public Adoption and Practicality

Even if flying cars become affordable, will people actually use them? Practical concerns include:

• Noise and privacy: Imagine dozens of flying cars buzzing over residential neighborhoods.
• Weather dependency: Unlike traditional cars, flying vehicles would be heavily impacted by wind, rain, and fog.
• Learning curve: Piloting even a semi-autonomous flying car might intimidate many.

Potential Success Stories

• Urban Air Taxis: Companies like Uber Elevate (now acquired by Joby Aviation) are focusing on flying taxis rather than personal flying cars. Short-distance urban flights could alleviate traffic congestion in megacities like Tokyo, Los Angeles, or Dubai (which already tested flying taxis).

• Emergency Services and Niche Use: Flying vehicles could revolutionize emergency response, enabling quicker rescues in hard-to-reach areas, or serve industries like agriculture and military operations.

Conclusion

Flying cars may not become the norm for personal transportation anytime soon, but they have a strong chance of succeeding in specific sectors like urban air taxis, emergency services, or luxury travel. For them to truly "take off" in the mainstream, breakthroughs in technology, infrastructure, and regulation are needed, alongside a shift in public perception.

 

Would you want to own one or even hop in a flying car if they became available?

 

Remember when we were supposed to be flying our personal Taylorcraft vehicle or helicopter.

The technology is here and many have built such machines through the Experimental Aircraft Association in the US.

I used to own my own plane since the late 60s, single engine and twin engines when general aviation was still "affordable". Many people left the sky due to costs and regulations. After 35 years of flying (several thousand hours of IFR and VFR flights) I had to stop at the turn of the century for the one and only reason I could not get an insurance even with a flawless logbook. When over 60 years old insurance companies consider that general aviation pilots are a risk for others or themselves. They would accept to insure me when a copilot is in the plane or flying only VFR in daytime.

I did not even consider an insurance for my aircraft, just a liability insurance in order to cover third parties (passengers, buildings and airports staff and mechanics).

Aviation is expensive for many reasons (taxes, landing fees, maintenance, storage, insurance and proficiency training for licence renewals) and most of the clientele with means is among the seniors, the ones who are "killed" by insurance premiums.

A few aircraft manufacturer (like Cirrus) have installed a parachute in case of emergency but this did not lower the insurance cost because these single engine aircraft (either piston, turbo or jet) are quite expensive to buy and fly.

 

[Ralf001]

Would hope that a flying car takes off !

 

[spidermike007]

I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles and if there were any way to fly above the traffic rather than through it, I would be very game for that.

 

However I can never envision a scenario we're flying cars would be reasonably priced, and I can never envision a scenario where air traffic control would be sufficiently safe. If they are maniacs on the ground you can only imagine how they would behave in the sky. 

[Hummin]

Flying cars and home delivery with drones, will be the future noise pollution, and not only for those in urban districts only, but also for wildlife and those living in rural districts. 

 

I doubt they ever can completely silence the noise from rotors or jet engines no mater what powers them. 

 

I truly hope this being stopped once and for all. 

[Nid_Noi]

8 minutes ago, Nid_Noi said:

 

Remember when we were supposed to be flying our personal Taylorcraft vehicle or helicopter.

The technology is here and many have built such machines through the Experimental Aircraft Association in the US.

I used to own my own plane since the late 60s, single engine and twin engines when general aviation was still "affordable". Many people left the sky due to costs and regulations. After 35 years of flying (several thousand hours of IFR and VFR flights) I had to stop at the turn of the century for the one and only reason I could not get an insurance even with a flawless logbook. When over 60 years old insurance companies consider that general aviation pilots are a risk for others or themselves. They would accept to insure me when a copilot is in the plane or flying only VFR in daytime.

I did not even consider an insurance for my aircraft, just a liability insurance in order to cover third parties (passengers, buildings and airports staff and mechanics).

Aviation is expensive for many reasons (taxes, landing fees, maintenance, storage, insurance and proficiency training for licence renewals) and most of the clientele with means is among the seniors, the ones who are "killed" by insurance premiums.

A few aircraft manufacturer (like Cirrus) have installed a parachute in case of emergency but this did not lower the insurance cost because these single engine aircraft (either piston, turbo or jet) are quite expensive to buy and fly.

 

Taylor's Aerocar 1949

 

 

[Hummin]

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles and if there were any way to fly above the traffic rather than through it, I would be very game for that.

 

However I can never envision a scenario we're flying cars would be reasonably priced, and I can never envision a scenario where air traffic control would be sufficiently safe. If they are maniacs on the ground you can only imagine how they would behave in the sky. 

You can actually build seriproduced flying cars relatively cheap, and not so different cost than an normal car. All cars would need a parachute emergency system for safety, but except that, at once the production is set, quite cheap

[Grumpy one]

The way most people drive in Thailand, I definitely don't want to be in the sky with them.

 

[harryviking]

🤣🤣🤣🤣Imagine Thai traffic moving into the air!! That would be hilarious with cars crashing and falling from the sky!!! THAT MUST NEVER HAPPEN!! Its bad enough on the ground!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Lacessit]

The Thai demographic is shrinking. It would collapse if Thais took to the skies.

[rwill]

I'd be afraid to go out of the house or afraid of staying in it.

[CHdiver]

Would help to herd my flying pigs.

[The Old Bull]

They have yet to master two dimensions here ,three would be a disaster.