We've run the occasional story on flying cars on PH, but pressing the 'go live' button has generally been accompanied by a bit of a wince because everything that's come out so far in this field has been either terrible looking as a car or terrible looking as a plane. Quite often they've been
both at the same time
, even for those possessed of three nipples and a golden gun. So it makes a pleasant change to be able to bring you the AeroMobil 3.0, arguably the first genuinely attractive dual-medium air-ground vehicle.
The Slovakian company responsible for the 3.0 is no fly-by-night operation. Development of the first AeroMobil, the 1.0, began in 1990. That was very much a plane that could sort of drive on the road, if you didn't mind a Reliant Robin wheel format and a potentially worrying absence of wings.
Rear window demist system a tad extreme
The AeroMobil 2.0 was a 15-year project that came much closer to motoring reality with a recognisable four-wheel chassis and more practical-looking passenger accommodations. By way of an interim 2.5 model, founder Juraj Vaculik has finally debuted the 3.0 at the Pioneers Festival in Vienna - and to our untutored eyes at least, it (she?) looks like a real goer.
Powered by the 81hp four-stroke Rotax 912 four commonly used in the light aircraft biz, the 3.0 has claimed top speeds of 124mph-plus in the air and 100mph-plus on the road. Air range is 430 miles at 15 litres of pump petrol per hour, while road range is 540 miles at eight litres per 100km, which is as near as dammit 35mpg.
As you can see from the vid, the AeroMobil certainly doesn't look out of place on public roads. Variable-angle wings give it short takeoff ability, and it's happy landing on grass strips, which should be of interest to powerfully-built PH director types. The final iteration will most likely come with handy features like autopilot and a parachute safety system. No word yet on price or availability, but the fact that it's now in a regular flight testing programme is the best hint that this is a real commercial prospect.
There's a telling Henry Ford quote on the AeroMobil site. "Mark my word: a combination airplane and motor car is coming. You may smile, but it will come." He probably didn't expect it to take 70 years, but the best things in life are usually worth waiting for.
Vid here.