Music legend becomes first passenger in KleinVision flying car

Jean-Michel Jarre is no stranger to pioneering technologies. So it was only fitting that he became the first passenger to take off from KleinVision’s flying car.

Known for his laser concerts – watched by millions – he was a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and new age music genres.

And as a long-time supporter of future technologies, he jumped at the chance to make two flights in the record-breaking vehicle at Piestany International Airport in Slovenia.

“One second you’re talking to the driver, and the next thing you know, you’re in the air. An incredible experience,” he said.

The vehicle transforms from sports car to airplane in just a few minutes and became the first flying car to make an intercity flight in 2021.

The car is powered by a 1.6-litre BMW engine, although KleinVision co-founder Anton Zajac told Sky News: “As soon as the technology improves we will just run on batteries.”

He added: “We are bridging the gap between the road and the sky, giving cars the freedom they symbolized 50 years ago.”

To achieve this freedom, you will need not only a driver’s license and a pilot’s license, but also a two to three month specialized flight course to be able to use the AirCar. Mr. Zajac hopes it will hit the market in about a year after being approved for flight in 2022.

It was made in Slovenia by Professor Stefan Klein and Mr. Zajac, but it’s not the only flying car to take off.

In the United States, Alef Aeronautics’ futuristic-looking Model A became the first roadworthy flying car to receive approval for test flights from the Federal Aviation Administration in July 2022.

It’s already had nearly 3,000 pre-orders – and unlike KleinVision’s AirCar, it’s electric.

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The startup is backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and can “drive down the street, take off vertically if necessary, and fly over traffic,” according to Alef’s website.

However, it is considered a “low-speed vehicle,” so it won’t be able to travel at speeds higher than about 25 mph and will still require U.S. government approval to be tested on public roads.

In March, KleinVision sold the rights to the technology that powers its cars to a Chinese company called Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company.

China is at the forefront of developing flying car technology, although most of it is focused on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

The UK government has said it expects electric flying taxis to be a reality by 2030 in its Future of Flight action plan.

“This is not science fiction. It has already started,” the report said.

Jean-Michel Jarre is no stranger to pioneering technologies. So it was only fitting that he became the first passenger to take off from KleinVision’s flying car.

Known for his laser concerts – watched by millions – he was a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and new age music genres.

And as a long-time supporter of future technologies, he jumped at the chance to make two flights in the record-breaking vehicle at Piestany International Airport in Slovenia.

“One second you’re talking to the driver, and the next thing you know, you’re in the air. An incredible experience,” he said.

The vehicle transforms from sports car to airplane in just a few minutes and became the first flying car to make an intercity flight in 2021.

The car is powered by a 1.6-litre BMW engine, although KleinVision co-founder Anton Zajac told Sky News: “As soon as the technology improves we will just run on batteries.”

He added: “We are bridging the gap between the road and the sky, giving cars the freedom they symbolized 50 years ago.”

To achieve this freedom, you will need not only a driver’s license and a pilot’s license, but also a two to three month specialized flight course to be able to use the AirCar. Mr. Zajac hopes it will hit the market in about a year after being approved for flight in 2022.

It was made in Slovenia by Professor Stefan Klein and Mr. Zajac, but it’s not the only flying car to take off.

In the United States, Alef Aeronautics’ futuristic-looking Model A became the first roadworthy flying car to receive approval for test flights from the Federal Aviation Administration in July 2022.

It’s already had nearly 3,000 pre-orders – and unlike KleinVision’s AirCar, it’s electric.

Read more on Sky News:
First known test dogfight between AI and a human pilot carried out
Players competing for thousands of pounds
Highly Anticipated Bitcoin “Halving” Event Takes Place

The startup is backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and can “drive down the street, take off vertically if necessary, and fly over traffic,” according to Alef’s website.

However, it is considered a “low-speed vehicle,” so it won’t be able to travel at speeds higher than about 25 mph and will still require U.S. government approval to be tested on public roads.

In March, KleinVision sold the rights to the technology that powers its cars to a Chinese company called Hebei Jianxin Flying Car Technology Company.

China is at the forefront of developing flying car technology, although most of it is focused on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

The UK government has said it expects electric flying taxis to be a reality by 2030 in its Future of Flight action plan.

“This is not science fiction. It has already started,” the report said.