Friday, March 29, 2024

Klein Vision’s convertible AirCar certified to fly by Civil Aviation Authority

The Slovak Transport Authority has granted the official Certificate of Airworthiness Klein Vision’s AirCar, the dual-mode car-aircraft vehicle, following its maiden flight toward the end of 2020 and first-ever inter-city flight in June of last year.

The flight tests included the full range of flight and performance maneuvers and demonstrated an astonishing static and dynamic stability in the aircraft mode. The takeoff and landing procedures were achieved even without the pilot’s need to touch the flight controls.

It took a team of 8 highly skilled specialists and over 100,000 manhours to convert design drawings into mathematical models with CFD analysis calculations, wind tunnel testing, 1:1 design prototype powered by an electric 15KW engine to 1000kg 2-seat dual-mode prototype powered by a 1.6-liter BMW engine that achieved the crucial certification milestone. The AirCar has now successfully completed more than 70 hours of rigorous flight testing compatible with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, including 200 takeoffs and landings on cross-country jaunts.

“AirCar certification opens the door for mass production of very efficient flying cars. It is official and the final confirmation of our ability to change mid-distance travel forever,” said Professor Stefan Klein, the inventor, leader of the development team, and the test pilot. “50 years ago, the car was the epitome of freedom,” says Anton Zajac, the project co-founder. “AirCar expands those frontiers by taking us into the next dimension, where the road meets the sky.”

“Transportation Authority carefully monitored all stages of unique AirCar development from its start in 2017. Transportation safety is our highest priority. AirCar combines top innovations with safety measures in line with EASA standards. It defines a new category of a sports car and a reliable aircraft. Its certification was both a challenging and fascinating task,” said René Molnár, the director of the Civil Aviation Division (Transport Authority of Slovakia).

KleinVision is testing a new powerful, lightweight, and efficient ADEPT Airmotive aviation engine for a further model, which will include a variable-pitch propeller, be capable of speeds over 300 km/h (186 mph) and range of 1,000 km (621 miles). The company expects the new production model to be certified in 12 months.