A PROTOTYPE flying car has completed a 35-minute flight between international airports in Nitra and Bratislava, Slovakia.
The hybrid car-aircraft is powered by a BMW engine and runs on regular petrol.
Speaking to the BBC, its creator Prof Stefan Klein said it could fly about 1 000km, at a height of 2 500m, and had clocked up 40 hours in the air so far.
It takes two minutes and 15 seconds to transform from car into aircraft.
The narrow wings fold down along the sides of the car.
In the air, the vehicle reached a cruising speed of 170km/h. It can carry two people, with a combined weight limit of 200kg.
The SunTeam asked readers on social media if this idea would work in South Africa, and Tshepo Mmonye said: “We have people flying at night already. We don’t want flying cars. Imagine the accidents up there. RAF won’t cover for their injury claims.”
Vuyo Kobo said: “With so many cases of drinking and driving in south Africa? Lol, I doubt, iyoh! There will be so much traffic in the air.”
Shaldon Daries said: “Only if it’s a car yes. But taxis? Then it would be a disaster!”
Tarrence Masopha said: “Flying cars in South Africa will be disastrous indeed. We will have to attend pilot classes so we don’t cause any traffic problems in the sky.”
Tau Sebata said: “I think it would be a great idea on the farms where there is no need for air traffic controllers. But it would be a big pain in the cities because of tall buildings, street lights and crazy traffic.”
