The year was 2015, and like something straight out of a movie, Doc Brown whisked Marty McFly into the future aboard a flying DeLorean in Back to the Future Part II. In their cinematic vision of tomorrow, Flying Cars were as commonplace as taxis are today, zipping through the skies.
Fast forward ten years past that futuristic date, and while we may not have DeLoreans soaring above us just yet, the dream of flying cars is closer to reality than ever before. For decades, aerial automobiles have captured imaginations, becoming a staple in science fiction and fantasy. Now, according to experts like Xiaosong Du, an aerospace engineer at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the technology to make flying cars a practical mode of transportation already exists. And it’s not just theoretical – companies are actively developing and testing prototypes that could revolutionize how we travel.
Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, often referred to as eVTOLs, are at the forefront of this transportation revolution. Imagine electric aircraft, similar to Joby’s designs, serving as flying taxis in our cities. But what exactly would a real-world flying car look like? Most likely, it would be a hybrid, combining elements of both airplanes and helicopters.
The Convair Model 118 ConvAirCar, a 1947 attempt at a flying car, featuring a car body with airplane wings, showcasing early flying car concepts.
How Flying Cars Might Actually Work
Unlike traditional airplanes that require runways, a practical flying car would need to take off and land vertically, much like a helicopter. This vertical capability is crucial for navigating urban environments. The concept involves using rotating blades to generate the necessary lift for takeoff. “Once it’s completed takeoff,” explains Du, “you can fly like a normal airplane.” To achieve efficient flight, airplane wings would deploy from the vehicle’s body, reducing air resistance compared to a helicopter in forward motion.
Another promising design incorporates propellers attached to the wings of the flying car. Initially, these wings would be positioned vertically, allowing the propellers to lift the vehicle straight up. After takeoff, the wings would then tilt horizontally, transforming the vehicle into airplane mode. Pat Anderson, an aerospace engineer and former director of the Eagle Flight Research Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, describes this concept as being “like a Transformer,” highlighting the vehicle’s adaptability.
These envisioned flying cars, with their rotating blades and propellers, may not perfectly match the sleek, futuristic visions of science fiction. In fact, Anderson suggests they might more closely resemble winged military helicopters, such as those seen in the Avatar films, or real-world examples like the U.S. military’s V-22 Osprey. The emphasis is on functionality and practicality rather than purely aesthetic considerations.
A Century-Long Quest to Take Cars to the Sky
The idea of a flying car is far from new, with roots stretching back over a century. Throughout the 20th century, numerous inventors and engineers attempted to bring this concept to life, with varying degrees of success. One notable early attempt was the Convair Model 118 ConvAirCar in 1947. This ambitious project, however, met with a setback during a test flight in California. An emergency landing resulted in damage to a wing and effectively ended the ConvAirCar’s journey, along with the immediate hopes of a flying car revolution.
Overcoming Hurdles: Cost, Regulations, and Technology
One of the most significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of personal flying cars is the cost. Companies like Alef Aeronautics are developing personal flying cars designed for both road and air travel, closely resembling the vehicles seen in science fiction movies. However, these innovative vehicles come with a hefty price tag. When Alef Aeronautics plans to begin production, their flying cars are expected to cost around $300,000 each, placing them firmly in the luxury vehicle category.
For more budget-conscious individuals, a more realistic near-term prospect might be flying car rideshare services, akin to Uber or Lyft, but for the skies. Pat Anderson predicts that these “flying Ubers” could become a reality within the next 10 to 20 years. However, several crucial steps need to be taken first. Extensive and rigorous safety testing of these aircraft is paramount. Additionally, regulatory frameworks need to be established. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took a significant step in October by announcing new rules for operating and piloting air taxis, bringing the industry closer to takeoff.
Sustainability concerns are also shaping the development of flying cars. Electric propulsion is favored due to its potential for reduced emissions. “People are kind of in love with batteries,” Anderson notes, citing the growing interest in electric vehicles. However, current battery technology presents limitations. Lithium-ion batteries, while rechargeable, are heavy and offer limited range, similar to the challenges faced by electric cars.
Flying, especially vertical takeoff, demands substantial power. Currently, lithium-ion batteries could only power a flying car for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, according to Du. While an electric car running out of charge can safely pull over, a flying car experiencing battery depletion faces a far more dangerous scenario. Therefore, ongoing research and development efforts are heavily focused on improving battery efficiency and energy density to make flying taxis a viable and safe mode of transport.
A version of this story first appeared in Science News Explores.
