HARRISBURG, Pa. — On the streets of Pennsylvania, a new type of vehicle could soon be taking off.
This legislative session, Senator Marty Flynn introduced a memo that would permit roadable aircrafts in Pennsylvania.
For Guy Kaplinsky, co-founder of the roadable aircraft development company ASKA, the sky is the final frontier.
“We are looking at what our next era of transportation [is]. Here in the U.S., we have a 100-year tradition of aviation, a 100-year tradition of automotive, if we can combine both then we could come up with something unique,” Kaplinsky said.
ASKA developed the A5 Roadable Electric Hybrid, a vehicle that performs vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) like a helicopter. When it’s time to hit the road, the wings fold in to surround the body of the vehicle for a more compact roadable vehicle.
Multiple development companies are working to create their version of the flying car, including some with VTOL and others with conventional takeoff and landing like an airplane.
Sam Bousfield is the founder of Samson Sky and the developer of the flying sports car Switchblade. The high-performance vehicle is designed to excel in both driving and flying, with zero to 60 capabilities in under six seconds on the road and a cruise speed of 160 miles per hour in the sky, according to Sam.
“It’s a hoot to drive, it’s just a blast. It goes like crazy,” Sam said excitedly.
Only two other states have passed similar laws, dubbed the Jetson’s Law, allowing flying cars on roadways in Minnesota and New Hampshire.
Multiple other states are considering adopting the legislation, which is why Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee Director Justin Gensimore says it pays to be first.
“Being the first or on the front lines of any sort of emerging technology is important. It sets us up for success down the road. I think it'll attract industry [and] business,” Gensimore stated.
But legislative analyst Russell Bousfield says there are still a few bumps in the road to smooth out before the product gets the green light.
“When it comes down to the state level, they're interested in registration and taxation. You know, they care in this state about minimizing the burden on citizens and the taxpayers,” Russell said.
One challenge for individuals looking to own and operate a flying car is they would need both a pilot’s and driver’s license.
Another roadblock, both planes and cars must be inspected annually to maintain a registration. As the law currently stands in Pennsylvania, that means double the costs for a vehicle that drives and flies and double the paperwork for taxpayers and government organizations.
Russell has been working with Pennsylvania legislators to modify existing transportation laws to accommodate these new vehicles. He says the updates are a win-win.
“Save the state some time, save the customer some time. And, you know, combine up as much as we can,” Russell stated.
Unlike other states, Pennsylvania’s Department of Aviation is under the same roof as the Department of Transportation. Russell says this makes adjusting the laws much simpler.
Senator Flynn is still looking for additional sponsors for the legislation and with Nov. 13 being the final day for lawmakers to approve the changes, no action is expected this session.
“Nobody's going to fly hundreds of those over Philadelphia tomorrow. That's not going to happen. It's a very short…very slow process,” said Jim Dukhovny, co-founder of Alef Aeronautics.
Alef is also working on a VTOL flying car, which looks like a traditional car you would see on the road. Instead of having wings that fold in and out like ASKA and Samson Sky’s models, the Alef flying car would simply rotate the body of the vehicle, which has built-in turbines, around the passenger compartment to change direction in flight.
While developers say it is unlikely that the developments in the advanced air mobility industry would lead to highways in the sky anytime soon, some say that delivery services and carpools could move to be in the clouds.
“Most of our clients will be sort of Uber customers. So we'll pick you up, drive you to a destination where we take off, fly, land, and drive to drop you off,” Kaplinsky said.
In 2020, Uber announced it was working to create air taxis.
The company’s expansion, called Uber Elevate, would use existing heliports and work to develop a network of additional landing and takeoff locations in urban areas to support this mode of ridesharing while avoiding overloading the current infrastructure.
But for those who want to purchase their own flying car, Sam says the cost is attainable for Americans.
Switchblade costs range from $200,000 to $225,000 depending on the type of flying car purchased. Some models of the Switchblade are designed with additional features to make it easier to fly in bad weather while more basic models are designed for better flying conditions.
“[The] price tag is understandably higher, but it also serves as two different types of vehicles, right? So maybe you get twice as much for the same amount of money,” Gensimore said.
While no action is expected on the flying car memo this session Russell says they will head back to the drawing board when the new legislative session begins in January.
“Hopefully it would pick up back in Pennsylvania, which I think is going to be a slam dunk,” Russell said.