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Up, Up and Away and The “Real” Flying Cars That Will Get You There

Since the mid-1950s, we have been promised flying cars and flying personal vehicles and now, we have several different flying options available, but only a few can afford to own them and you may be one of these people.

The Saturday morning cartoon show called “The Jetson's” helped stir the fascination of flying personal cars within millions of youthful fans' hearts that continues even until today. What a neat idea to think that possibly within the next few years we could be seeing them cruising through the great blue wonder, just a few miles over our heads. Or, parking our own flying car in our driveways, we can fanaticize, can't we?

Fortunately, there are a few available options of flying cars that can be purchased for the right price. Other flying cars and personal flying vehicles are currently still being developed and there are many promising designs that have made it to the prototype stage. Either way, the flying cars that we have been promised for over fifty years, could be the next major choice of transportation that families will rely on in the very near future.

Moller M200X Flying Car

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If you have ever wondered if flying saucers were real, well it looks like they are. Canadian inventor Dr. Paul Moller didn't just dream about flying cars, he rolled up his sleeves and built himself one. His company “Moller International” announced that they have started production of their M200G Volantor that the company claims can climb to heights of ten feet and reach top speed of 50mph. If you have the money, you too can stop envying George Jetson and his flying cars and start living like him in the real world.

Moller M400 Flying Car

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The “Skycar M400” another Moller International invention resembles the Pod Racers in Star Wars: Phantom Menace, but this flying car is real and can accelerate to maximum speed of 375mph at 13,200 ft. The vertical take off and landing will make this flying car perfect for those quick overnight trips across the country.

Aerocar

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This is only one-of-six Aerocars ever produced since 1949 and this one was completed in 1960. The concept rather primitive to today's standards and technology breakthroughs, but really since 1949 cars have driven from the highway to the skyway and all the while we still complain that we don't have our own. The one passenger Aerocar can reach a maximum speed of 220 km/h with a cruise speed of 200 km/h and a range of 800 km. The wings can be removed and the Aerocar is street legal to drive along the highway. The best of both worlds, if you can afford one, if you can find one to buy to fly back home.

Milner Aircar

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From the highway to the skyway and to the driveway the Milner Aircar can do it all. For a mere $450,000 (USD) you can get a flying car that reaches speeds up to 200 mph at a height of 25,000 ft and hit top speeds on the highway of 85 mph. This car would give a whole new twist to Los Angeles car chases and give the police a run for their money both on the highway and in the skyway, if they can keep up.

Vertipod

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Air Buoyant is the manufacturer of the Vertipod as the company describes, “The Vertipod is a one-passenger flying platform that is propelled by a 440-cubic-cemtimeter gas or ethanol engine. It can travel 5 to 15 feet above the ground at top speed of 40 mph and will be sold as kits for $10,000 each. Maybe, not quite technically a flying car, but the company says that the Vertipod is the first step taken to achieving a flying car for them.

Terrafugia Flying Car

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Terrafugia flying car will be on sale in 2009 and for a mere $80,000 and up. The Terrafugia can fly up to 120 mph and traveling as far away as 510 miles. The engine operates on unleaded petrol (gasoline) and consumes 30 mpg in regular flight operation.

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Comments (8)
#1 by Bozsi Rose, Oct 5, 2008
I just like that I may be able to own a car that looks like a flying saucer!
#2 by Lauren Axelrod, Oct 5, 2008
I'd like to turn my comfortable into a flying car. How very futuristic.
#3 by Allison Jae, Oct 5, 2008
Cool article. Where can I get one?
#4 by SHAN, Oct 5, 2008
even i wish i can own one of those
#5 by thestickman, Oct 5, 2008
You can make your own hovercraft for a few hundred dollars; basically, one of those aluminum saucer-sleds, a few dozen flexible floor brooms for the 'bristles' to make a 'skirt' to go around the inverted 'saucer', and a common gas-powdered leaf-blower!
I have seen some videos of 'how to make~', -and a variation of this was seen at the opening Olympic ceremonies in Australia for the 2004(?) Olympics.
Directional control was achieved by ventings on the sides, and for stability when changing directions, a single 360~ rubberized 'wheel' was installed. To change direction, you 'lean onto' the wheel which makes contact with the ground, causing the unit to slow and 'orbit' the wheel. Leaning off of the wheel, the directional movement resumes... Those little-babies could really move!

Someday... I gonna build one of these!!
#6 by Darlene McFarlane, Oct 5, 2008

Great article, Nelson! They are all very interesting and unique but I especially like the Aerocar.

#7 by Adam Sugden, Oct 7, 2008
Wow!
I didn't even know we were this close to the flying car generation.

I love reading your articles Nelson and I look forward to more.

God Bless,
Adam Sugden
Triond.com User
#8 by Emily James, Oct 14, 2008
fascinating...and a little bit scary, my driving is soooo bad, what would i be capable of in one of these babies???

Emily James
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