The year is 2023 and we still don't have flying cars. We likely never will and based on how many people drive, I am not optimistic it's really a good idea. Heck, we've been here before. But that won't stop companies from trying. As Natalie Neysa Alund reports at USA Today, yet another aspiring company looks to make this a reality.
This week, Alef Aeronautics revealed its flying car “Model A" was granted legal permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to test run the vehicle on the road and in the sky − a move needed before it can be released to the public.
Alef is the first company to receive a Special Airworthiness Certification from the FAA, the company said in a news release. The certification limits the locations and purpose for which the vehicle is allowed to fly.
The vehicle will also need to meet National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration safety standards before taking flight.
But the company's CEO Jim Dukhovny says the company is "hopeful" the certification "will be our next step."
USA Today
Will it fly? Will it be safe? Will it simply be yet another plaything for the ultra-rich? Who knows. I would imagine the origins of a flying car was to make transit faster and simpler because there would be no roads. However, we're seeing that roads aren't the problem. The way our cities and towns were designed are. In some cities it's silly to have a car. You hop on a bus or train or ride a bike to get to your destination. Cars are occasional things to rent. The majority of the US is the polar opposite of this where you cannot get anything done without a car. Even worse is the inability to get anywhere when you can't drive or own a car for whatever reason.
Yes, there's some extestential things rattling in my brain about this, but it all comes down to a simple fact: flying cars are a cool idea but the reality is I wouldn't trust myself to pilot one nor would I trust anyone except a trained pilot. And we have access to them right now. In airplanes. Which are highly-regulated and extremely safe. I think I'll just stick with that.