THE FUTURE IS HERE: Arizona Actually Developing Flying Cars?

The future isn't exactly what we imagined. From Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner we were promised a 21st Century full of unbelievable technology and ease.

We obviously didn't quite make it to that, but one innovation we've been waiting for may soon come about, all thanks to the Grand Canyon State.

Arizona: Home of the Flying Car?

Arizona has been a leader in vehicle development for years due to its climate and infrastructure, and now, we're taking things to the next level. As such, NASA has claimed the Phoenix-Mesa area as the perfect testing grounds for what they call "Advanced Air Mobility", or "AAMs".

These are, as you can guess, flying cars!! Specifically, Samson Sky's Switchblade, which is closer to a personal plane than a car. These craft are moving towards adopting an electric vertical landing and takeoff procedure known as eVTOL, which helps lower carbon emissions and reduce road congestion. But how close are we really?

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How Soon Can We Expect Flying Cars?

While we're begging for flying cars to be taking the skies as soon as possible, it may be some time before we have bona fide sky-highways. Currently, the Samson Sky aircraft are classified as "experimental" by the FAA, meaning the owner must assemble at least half of the vehicle on their own.

Unfortunately, the FAA still requires any craft that can get in the air to take off and land at designated airports. However, the development of eVTOL may change this for good, as they will not be restricted to airstrips or airports, and have the ability to ascend vertically with no forward momentum needed.

Mass development is expected to take flight by 2035.

[Arizona State Law Journal][Samson Sky]