An actual flying car is one step closer to reality

The AirCar idea is taking flight again. This time, it's no 'test flight' or 'certificate of airworthiness'. The technology is actually being licensed for production. That's right. Flying cars are closer to reality than ever before...

KleinVision, the Slovakian developer of the first ‘certified’ flying car, has signed a manufacturing agreement with Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology.

We don’t know how much the deal is worth, but we do know that the licence gives Hebei Jianxin exclusive access and distribution rights to KleinVision’s suite of airborne auto innovations. The agreement does however limit production geographically – we presume that means to Chinese airspace only.

If aeroplanes are buses of the skies, the AirCar is set to put the wind beneath individual drivers’ wings. It'll then retract those wings once landed and let said drivers get on their journey more conventionally. It’s all very Jetsons-esque, albeit powered by a 160bhp BMW engine – though it's probably not arriving any time really soon. Stuff like runaways and air traffic control approval protocol will need ironing out.

Nonetheless, this is an important milestone. Anton Zajac, co-founder of KleinVision, said: “This partnership represents a significant step in our mission to expand global access to revolutionary mobility solutions and drive progress in the industry.”

Forget the jet-stream – if there's any country that can make flying cars go mainstream, it's China, right?