We’re venturing into uncharted territory here.
A Democratic senator in Pennsylvania put forth an unusual proposal last Wednesday that seeks to legalize flying cars, even though they aren’t exactly common sights just yet.
Senator Marty Flynn is giving it another go after a similar measure was turned down in the state legislature last year.
Flynn got serious about the concept back in January when he shared a memo. He mentioned he intends to reintroduce the bill regardless of its chances of success. In that memo, he expressed a desire to find co-sponsors who share his vision of making Pennsylvania a pioneer in adopting this futuristic technology.
So far, he’s secured only two co-sponsors for the bill, as per the current invoice status tracker.
In the memo, Flynn candidly recognized that the “roadable aircraft” sector isn’t fully formed yet. But he strongly believes there is a significant demand for legislation like his, which could facilitate advancements in urban and rural aviation technologies.
“All over the country, advanced air mobility—a rapidly developing sector in aviation featuring various cutting-edge aircraft, technologies, and infrastructure—has the potential to revolutionize transportation. This includes better access to vital services such as emergency and medical aid across both urban and rural settings,” Flynn stated.
“As technology progresses, we’ll need accompanying legislation to address the operational and equipment needs of these vehicles.”
He went on to stress that it’s imperative to begin establishing significant regulations early. This would ensure that flying cars could be safely incorporated into current transportation systems without causing major disruptions or safety concerns.
Other states are also moving fast to regulate flying vehicles.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Transportation are promoting the use of flying cars, hoping to implement them by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Minnesota and New Hampshire have already enacted laws allowing flying cars as legal vehicles. In August, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a full-scale pilot program for flying cars.
“We are on the brink of the next great technological revolution in aviation, and America will spearhead this. By doing so, we will cement our position as a leader in transportation innovation,” Duffy stated at that time.
This year, the Federal Aviation Administration has given the green light for both road and air tests of Aleph Aeronautics’ flying car, which has backing from SpaceX.
The vehicle is priced at $299,000, not counting any extra pre-order deposits, according to the company’s website.
As of March 2024, pre-orders have reportedly reached around 2,850.
