Flying through the clouds or speeding across asphalt, the AirCar prototype is a road-ready car that can transform into a working plane.

The fifth generation AirCar designed by Professor Stefan Klein completed two 1,500 foot AGL flights at Piestany Airport in Slovakia Oct. 27, 2020. The AirCar safely achieved two full airport patterns, according to officials with Klein Vision. 

Converting from a car to an aircraft happens when the rear section of the car slides back and the wings are unleashed from hidden compartments to move up and over the fuselage into their flying position. Once the wings are fully expanded, the AirCar speeds off down the runway and takes off into the sky. When the flight is completed, the wings retract back into the car, and it drives off.

The two-seat model weights 1,100 kg (2,425 pounds) and can carry an additional load of 200 kg (440 pounds) per flight.

Powered by a BMW 1.6l engine, the flying car has an effective power output of 140 hp, according to company officials. Estimated travel range of AirCar is 1,000 km (621 miles) and flight consumption of 18 l/h (4.75 gallons) and be able to reach a top flying speed of 124 mph.

 “With AirCar you will arrive at your destination without the hassle of getting a ride to the airport and passing through commercial security. You can drive your AirCar to the golf course, the office, the mall or your hotel and park it in a normal parking space.” co-founder Anton Zajac said in a statement.

“The key flight parameters confirmed all theoretical concepts and calculations that the development of the AirCar was based on. Following the completion of all required flight tests in compliance with EASA regulations, we will deliver a model with a certified ADEPT, 300-hp engine within the next six next months,” said Professor Stefan Klein, Klein Vision’s CTO and test pilot.

With its first successful flights notched only 18 months after development begin, Klein Vision is ready to continue moving forward with the AirCar. The company plans to put the vehicle into production within the next six months.

While the vehicle does look much better than previous attempts of flying cars, it still fails to disguise itself on the road, it’s hard to ignore the massive propeller and elevator wing at the rear.