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It seems the engineering world has much to learn from the world of the Jetsons, a cartoon series that gained popularity in the mid-1980s. Why this reference to cartoons? A Slovakian firm has introduced to the world the AeroMobil, it can fly 430 miles on a tank of petrol and can be parked in a regular parking space. It is a reminder of the car/jet-propelled craft used by the Jetsons in the show.
This interesting car-craft will be launched on October 29 at the Pioneers Festival in Austria as the firm claims it is production ready. Feels too good to be true? Well, the Slovakian firm, which has been working on this concept since the 1990s, says that this is the third generation of the car.
Here’s a little history on the car. The prototype was conceived as a vehicle that can be converted from an automobile to an airplane. The version 2.5 proof-of-concept took 20 years to develop, and first flew in 2013. The prototype was constructed by the AeroMobil Team, based in Bratislava, Slovakia and led by co-founders Stefan Klein and Juraj Vaculik. As of 2013, there have been four developmental versions of the Aeromobil, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. with earlier versions lacking folding wings, while later versions have folding wings and fins around the wheels.
So in 2014, you have the Aeromobil, a 'flying car' that makes use of existing infrastructure created for automobiles and planes, and opens doors to real door-to-door travel,' the firm says. When in its car configuration, it can fit into a standard parking space, and it also takes normal fuel pumped at every service station. 'Aeromobil 3 is stylish, comfortable for both the driver and passenger, and exceptionally combines the performance of a sports car with qualities of an 'ultralight',' it says. They have the approval of the experts in avionics. The prototype consisted of a steel chassis and carbon fiber body, weighing about 992 pounds empty. Power came from a Rotax 912 aircraft engine like the one used in the other modern flying car of note, America's Terrafugia Transition. In airplane mode, the Aeromobil has a 27-foot wingspan, and drive is switched from the rear wheels to the propellers via controls in the cockpit. In flight, Aeromobil says its flying car can reach a top speed of 124 mph and achieve a cruising range of 430 miles. On the ground, top speed is 100 mph and total driving range is roughly 310 miles.
There are still some creases that need to be ironed out, for example how the wings fold behind the driver’s seat when on the ground, the issues of practical use and more, but what they must be applauded for is the perseverance behind creating the world’s first flying car. Soon the skies might just see a surge in traffic.
Source: Dailymail
