Where Wheels End, Wings Begin

Flying car

 A flying car or roadable aircraft is a type of vehicle which can function both as a road vehicle and as an aircraft. As used here, this includes vehicles which drive as motorcycles when on the road. The term "flying car" is also sometimes used to include hovercars and/or VTOL personal air vehicles. Many prototypes have been built since the early 20th century, using a variety of flight technologies. Most have been designed to take off and land conventionally using a runway. Although VTOL projects are increasing, none has yet been built in more than a handful of numbers.

 

Their appearance is often predicted by futurologists, and many concept designs have been promoted. Their failure to become a practical reality has led to the catchphrase "Where's my flying car?", as a paradigm for the failure of predicted technologies to appear. Flying cars are also a popular theme in fantasy and science fiction stories.

 

History 

Early 20th century 

                 In 1901 German immigrant to the U.S. Gustave Whitehead purportedly flew a powered aircraft, which was described as able to propel itself along roads to the site of the flying experiment. Consensus among historians is that Whitehead's no. 21 did not achieve sustained self-powered flight.

In 1942, the British army built the Hafner Rotabuggy, an experimental roadable autogyro that was developed with the intention of air-dropping off-road vehicles. In developed form the Rotabuggy achieved a flight speed of 70 mph (113 km/h). However, the introduction of gliders that could carry vehicles (such as the Waco Hadrian and Airspeed Horsa) led to the project's cancellation.

Late 20th century

 Although several designs (such as the ConVairCar) have flown, none have enjoyed commercial success, and those that have flown are not widely known by the general public. The most successful example, in that several were made and one is still flying, is the 1949 Taylor Aerocar.

21st century

In 2009, DARPA launched the $65 million Transformer program for a roadable VTOL aircraft but canceled it in 2013.

The Parajet Skycar, a dune buggy with a paramotor and parafoil, flew from London to Timbuktu in 2009.

The Super Sky Cycle was a homebuilt roadable gyroplane registered as a motorcycle.

AeroMobil spent 20 years developing a flying car, with version 2.5 flying in 2013.

At the 2014 Pioneers Festival, AeroMobil unveiled version 3.0, a convertible car-aircraft.

By 2016, AeroMobil was test-flying a prototype with Slovak ultralight certification.

In 2018, AeroMobil revealed a VTOL flying sportscar concept.
The future of flying cars remains uncertain, with development ongoing worldwide.

Klein Vision's AirCar, with foldout wings, flew a 35-minute test flight in 2021 and was certified in 2022.

The Terrafugia Transition, a Personal Air Vehicle, first flew in 2009 and was FAA-approved in 2010.

PAL-V Liberty, a roadable gyrocopter, debuted in 2018 and was set for production in 2021 in India.

The PAL-V ONE, a gyrocopter-motorcycle hybrid, has a 160 kW engine and a 180 km/h top speed.

Los Altos, California, opened the world’s first consumer flying car showroom in April 2021.

Despite advancements, no fully certified flying cars are currently in production.

In 2023, Doroni Aerospace earned FAA certification for an eVTOL with ten propulsion systems.

Design

   

A flying car must operate safely and reliably on both roads and in the air. Current models require manual control by a driver and a pilot, but for widespread adoption, they must be environmentally friendly, affordable, and capable of flying autonomously.

Designs vary from modified road vehicles like the AVE Mizar to aircraft-based models such as the Plane Driven PD-1. Most are purpose-built flying cars, using fixed wings, helicopter rotors, or direct engine power for lift, while wheeled propulsion is essential for road travel.

The Alef Model A features a unique design where the car’s hollow body and slab-like sides transform into a biplane wing mid-air by rolling sideways, while the cabin remains upright.

 

Ø  Lift

Ø  Power

Ø  Safety

Ø  Control

Ø  Environment

Ø  Cost

 

Ø  Lift

                Lift in flight comes from fixed wings, spinning rotors, or direct powered lift, with VTOL capability available in powered helicopters and direct lift systems. Early designs attached removable flying surfaces to driveable cars, requiring separate transport or retrieval before takeoff. Fixed-wing models like the Terrafugia Transition use foldable wings for easier road use. VTOL designs, including rotorcraft and ducted fan systems, enhance flexibility but face stability challenges.

Ø  Power

                     Flying cars require higher power for flight than road use, often using multiple engines to balance performance. While internal combustion engines are common, electric power is gaining interest despite battery weight challenges. Most use conventional road-wheel drive, with airborne thrust from propellers or ducted fans, while jet engines are avoided due to safety concerns.

Ø  Safety

                   Flying cars must meet both road and aviation certifications, requiring lightweight yet durable designs to balance safety and flight efficiency. Future adoption depends on autonomous operation, automated traffic management, and designated landing sites to handle emergencies and poor weather. Regulations are evolving to ensure safe integration of personal air vehicles into urban environments.

 

Ø  Control

                Widespread flying car adoption requires automated systems to handle piloting, navigation, and emergency procedures in crowded airspace. Full autonomy may be necessary, allowing passengers to travel without piloting skills while ensuring safe interaction with air traffic control.

Ø  Environment

               A practical flying car must be quiet, low in emissions, and suitable for urban environments. The shift toward electric power is key to reducing pollution and enhancing sustainability.

Ø  Cost

                Flying cars rely on advanced, expensive technology to balance power, weight, and autonomy, limiting mass adoption. They have lower fuel efficiency than conventional aircraft and compromised road performance due to extra flight components. As a result, they are less economical than both cars and airplanes.

 

Advantages of flying cars

Ø  Increased mobility and convenience

Ø  Reduction of traffic congestion

Ø  Time-saving

Ø  Improved emergency response times

Ø  Environmental benefits and reduced carbon footprint

 

Disadvantages and challenges of flying cars

Ø  High initial investment and cost

Ø  Technical challenges

Ø  Safety and reliability concerns

Ø  Need for specialized infrastructure

Ø  Regulatory hurdles and safety standards

Ø  Noise concerns

Ø  Public acceptance

Videos - https://youtu.be/xkcqRHqu7ko

Founders of flying cars:

1. Waldo Waterman

- Born: 1894, California, USA

- Occupation: Engineer, inventor, and aviation pioneer

- Achievement: Built the first successful flying car, the Arrowbile, in 1937

- Awards: Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1986

2. Glenn Curtiss

- Born: 1878, Hammondsport, New York, USA

- Occupation: Aviation pioneer, engineer, and inventor

- Achievement: Designed and built the Autoplane in 1917, an early attempt at creating a flying car

- Awards: Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1964

 

3. Robert Edison Fulton Jr.

- Born: 1909, USA

- Occupation: Engineer, inventor, and aviation pioneer

- Achievement: Developed the Fulton FA-2 Airphibian, a roadable aircraft, in 1946

- Awards: Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996

 

4. Molt Taylor

- Born: 1912, USA

- Occupation: Engineer, inventor, and aviation pioneer

- Achievement: Created the Aerocar, a flying car that made its first successful flight in 1949

- Awards: Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1985

 

SARLA Aviation

SARLA Aviation, also known as SARL Aviation, is an Indian non-scheduled airline based in New Delhi. Here are some key facts about SARLA Aviation:

Key Facts

1. Founded: SARLA Aviation was founded in 2005.

2. Fleet: The airline operates a fleet of aircraft, including Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and Beechcraft 1900D.

3. Operations: SARLA Aviation provides charter services, cargo transportation, and medical evacuation services.

4. Certifications: The airline holds certifications from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

5. Safety Record: SARLA Aviation has a good safety record, with no major incidents reported.

 

Services

1. Charter Services: SARLA Aviation provides charter services for individuals, groups, and organizations.

2. Cargo Transportation: The airline offers cargo transportation services for goods and packages.

3. Medical Evacuation: SARLA Aviation provides medical evacuation services for patients requiring emergency medical attention.

 

Founders of Sarla Aviation in Bengaluru –

         Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan founded Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based electric flying taxi company, in October 2023. Inspired by Sarla Thukral, India's first female pilot, the company aims to redefine urban mobility. It has raised $10 million in Series A funding and partnered with Bangalore International Airport Limited. Sarla Aviation's prototype air taxi, Shunya, can carry six passengers with a 680 kg load capacity. Designed to reduce congestion, Shunya aims to make air travel more affordable and sustainable. The air taxi addresses urban challenges like traffic and pollution. Sarla Aviation envisions a future of efficient and eco-friendly urban transportation.

Sarla Aviation partnered with Bengaluru International Airport last year to launch a flying taxi service. Founded in 2024 by engineers Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, the company will unveil its first prototype, Shunya, on January 17 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Shunya, designed to carry 680 kg and six passengers, is set for launch in 2028. Sarla Aviation plans to operate in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune, offering tickets at a fourth of western competitors' prices. The company also aims to introduce a free air ambulance service. Indian aviation authorities are preparing regulations for air taxis by 2026.

 

Video -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpFeX5uJab4

 

List of flying cars and roadable aircraft -

Link-https://rb.gy/pb2gju

 

Conclusion

The concept of flying cars has been a fascinating idea for decades, and with recent advancements in technology, it's becoming increasingly feasible. Flying cars have the potential to revolutionize transportation, reducing congestion, emissions, and travel time.

 

Final Thoughts

Flying cars represent a bold and exciting vision for the future of transportation. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of flying cars make them an intriguing and worthwhile pursuit. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect flying cars to become an increasingly important part of our transportation landscape.

By :

BYTE 🎱BENDERS

1^st Sem MCA

Seshadripuram collegeTumkuru