Klein Vision AirCar certified to fly, but you need a pilot's license

Klein Vision has been working on their flying car concept, the AirCar, for quite some time now. Last year, the company completed its first intercity test flight. At the time, the company didn’t disclose when the AirCar will go on sale, but it does show that flying cars can work. Now, we’re even closer to the reality of flying cars.

The AirCar was recently awarded an official Certificate of Airworthiness by the Slovak Transport Authority following nearly 70 hours of flight testing. In addition to the long flight hours, more than 200 takeoffs and landings were performed. The flying car also had to complete and demonstrate a full range of flight and performance maneuvers during the flight tests. Takeoff and landing procedures were even completed without the pilot touching flight controls.

“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.

With its Certificate of Airworthiness, it seems a production-model flying car is now closer to reality. Sounds cool, right? But there seems to be a catch; not everyone can operate Klein Vision’s AirCar in the future.

According to a report by CNN, Klein Vision says a pilot’s license is required to operate the flying car. With that, those who dream of owning and using the AirCar will have to take up lessons from a flight school. Depending on where you’re located, going through flight school can be a very expensive and long process.

Klein Vision hopes to have a production version available within a year. An even more powerful version with a longer range is already in the works. Assuming all goes to plan, it seems we’ll be able to see flying cars in action by 2023.