A flying car that’s certified for aviation just took another big step towards commercialisation.
The Aircar’s creator, KleinVision, today announced the sale of a “groundbreaking” license to manufacture the vehicle.
The deal gives China’s Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Co exclusive rights to the system within a specific, undisclosed region. Also undisclosed is the cost of the license.
KleinVision said the agreement brings flying cars closer to reality.
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KleinVision now aims to obtain the European Aviation Safety Agency’s CS-32 certificate, which would remove restrictions on production numbers.
Anton Zajac, the startup’s cofounder, said Aircar is also getting an engine upgrade. The new version will have an aviation engine that doubles the power output.
“This will increase the cruising speed, shorten the takeoff distance and increase the safety of the product,” Zajac told TNW via email.
“On top of this, the production model will be made of a single shell (monocoque) which will provide entire structural support.”
Zajac (right) alongside KleinVision co-founder and CEO Stefan Klein. Credit: KleinVision
The deal with Hebei Jianxin comes amid a concerted push in China to commercialise flying cars. Not all the aircraft under development are equal, however.
Zajac highlighted the differences between fixed-wingers like the AirCar and VTOL (Vertical TakeOff and Landing) vehicles.
“VTOL are very energy inefficient and are relatively slow and short range while AirCar is fast, long-range, and very energy efficient,” he said.
“AirCar represents state-of-the-art product that currently has no competition in China or even globally.”
Source : The Next Web