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Soon enough, flying cars won’t just be the stuff of dreams. Written by: Damien Martin

- Damien Martin

There are those of us who have waited all our lives to take a ride in a flying car. Little by little, that dream has gotten closer to reality. If you’re one of those dreamers, 2025 might be your year. It'll cost you of course, but for many when it comes to realizing a lifelong dream, money is no object.

TAKING TO THE AIR & THE STREETS

With the announcement of its final rules for powered lift aircraft last October, the FAA created its first new category of aircraft in 80 years, paving the way for air taxis and flying cars.

"Operators will need to figure out what makes financial sense; the market will determine where they'll fly and what kind of operations they'll conduct," FAA administrator Mike Whitaker wrote. "Just like the first automobiles and cell phones, it could take time for these aircraft to become commonplace. But as more and more are produced, I think we'll see them everywhere."

Among the flying companies taking preorders and hoping to begin production before the end of 2025 is Alef Aeronautics. The company's Model A is FAA certified for testing and is a low-speed - on the road, anyway - vehicle designed to fit in parking spaces and garages. It takes off vertically, then can fly in any direction. The all-electric vehicle has a range of about 200 miles on the ground and 110 in the air. It's designed for easy operation to be available as a personal conveyance.