Legislative bodies across the USA are working to ensure that flying cars can be easily registered and licensed in all 50 states.

US companies Samson Sky and Alef and European firms Pal-V and Klein are projected to start production of roadable aircraft in 2025.

Samson Sky was one of three flying car companies that provided industry input to New Hampshire’s House Transportation Committee, resulting in a milestone with the 2020 passage of the first ever legislation for state registration of roadable aircraft.

The bill dubbed, the Jetson Bill, included wording to allow roadable aircraft a simpler method of state registration to allow their use on state roads and highways. Other stakeholders included flying car companies Terrafugia, which has since moved US operations to China, and Pal-V, a Dutch company with a US office in New Hampshire.

As with any small aircraft, drivers are not allowed to takeoff from or land on public roads in flying mode, except if they have declared an emergency, as is accepted under existing rules for aircraft. The new legislation basically specifies that drivers of roadable aircraft are required to adhere to the rules of the road while driving, the same as any other car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle or farm vehicle.

With the Jetson Bill as a precedent for nationwide flying car regulations, Samson is working with numerous other states on similar legislation. Russell Bousfield, Samson’s legislative analyst, affirmed that bills are actively being drafted that are projected to be introduced into committee in 2024 in eight states.

“We’re very excited to provide industry input to state legislators who are laying the foundation for this new form of transportation,” said Bousfield. “It’s been very rewarding to work with influential lawmakers that share a desire to bring about new technologies and advancements in aerospace.”

Many states are interested in encouraging job and industry growth, and high-tech jobs are a way to bring more skilled jobs into their communities.

“Legislation to help simplify the integration of roadable aircraft into the highway system will serve to benefit all flying car manufacturers,” said Bousfield. “And I would like to thank those legislative members who have drafted bills for their contribution to advancing aerospace innovation.”

Samson’s flying sports car, which had its maiden flight in November 2023, has a hybrid electric system that uses unleaded automotive petrol rather than leaded aviation fuel. Owners can fuel up at any auto petrol station.

The Switchblade’s Skybrid hybrid electric drive system for flying cars sets the stage for future all-electric versions of this flying car.

From the garage, users drive the street-legal Switchblade (www.SamsonSky.com) to a nearby airport. Once there, they transform the vehicle from driving to flying mode, and fly to the airport closest to their destination, where they land, transform back to driving mode and drive the last few kilometres to the final destination. The Switchblade seats two, side-by-side, with room to store travel bags, and flies up to 800km on a single tank of petrol.