China Buys European Flying Car Technology
European flying car technology has been purchased by a Chinese corporation, marking a potential shift in the future of personal transport.
Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company, based in Cangzhou, has secured exclusive rights to manufacture and use the AirCar aircraft within a specific area in China. The AirCar, which runs on regular fuel and is powered by a BMW engine, successfully completed a 35-minute flight between two Slovakian airports in 2021. It converts from car to aircraft mode in just over two minutes.
KleinVision, the company that created AirCar, has sold these rights for an undisclosed sum. The Chinese firm has also built an airport and flight school, further showcasing their commitment to this technology.
China is actively developing flying transport solutions, having previously spearheaded the electric vehicle revolution. Companies such as Autoflight and eHang have already made strides in this area, conducting test flights and earning safety certifications.
Unlike drone-like passenger aircraft that take off vertically, the AirCar requires a runway for takeoff and landing. The AirCar received a certificate of airworthiness in 2022 from the Slovak Transport Authority and has been featured in a video by YouTuber MrBeast.
Despite this progress, significant obstacles remain, including infrastructure requirements, regulatory hurdles, and public acceptance. Aviation consultant Steve Wright pointed out that global attempts to regulate this sector are still in early stages, with different regions asking distinct questions. Wright suggested that China may see this as a chance to gain an edge, just as they did with electric vehicles.
Prototypes like the AirCar are exciting, according to Wright, although the reality of flying cars will also likely include regular processes such as passenger and baggage checks.
The sale of the Slovakian AirCar technology raises interest about whether China could become a leading force in the flying car market, similar to their position in electric vehicles.
