Daily Times

Taking to the skies in your own flying car is no longer a staple of science fiction, thanks to Dutch developer PAL-V International.

The company has started taking orders via its website for a two-seater hybrid craft called the PAL-V Liberty. Production is set to begin in the summer with each craft costing £255,000.

The three-wheeled vehicle is said to have the comfort of a car and the agility of a motorcycle on the road, thanks to its patented, cutting-edge, ’tilting’ system. It can hit 100mph on the road or up to 112mph in the air where it’ll go up to 4,000ft.

Of course, you’ll need a pilot’s licence to actually be allowed to take control of one. Because the craft uses existing aviation technology, anyone legally allowed to fly can jump into the cockpit.

You’ll need to pass the necessary exams, and have about 40 hours of flight time under your belt. Not to mention access to a runway or similarly massive open space.

But these obstacles don’t seem to be standing in the way of interest in the futuristic gadget.

Robert Dingemanse, chief executive officer, PAL-V Europe NV, says the company has received interests from government institutions, hospitals and the tourism sector.

“Companies like the Sahara Group in Mumbai have shown interest in using PAL-V’s for tourist mobility and sightseeing applications. Driving and flying with one vehicle opens up a complete new set of applications people until now could only dream of,” he told Business Standard.

The vehicle takes between five and 10 minutes to convert itself from driving mode to flight mode.

It has been in development for years and actually comes in two configurations. The “Pioneer Edition” of the craft is even more expensive at £425,000 but comes with a unique interior and a custom paint job.

“After years of hard work, beating the technical and qualification challenges, our team succeeded in creating an innovative flying car that complies with existing safety standards determined by regulatory bodies around the world,” Dingemanse told International Business Times.

“Later in 2017 we will start building a preproduction series followed by the manufacturing of the first PAL-V Libertys for our early ‘pioneer’ clients. Deliveries of road and air-certificated models are scheduled by the end of 2018.”