A number of "carplanes" have recently appeared on the market or will be appearing soon. The purpose of this site is to contrast and compare these vehicles and to provide the latest information on each. It is an unbiased site that is not funded by any of the manufacturers.
Edited by Jeffrey W. Buckholz, PhD, P.E., PTOE
CARPLANE "PIPEDREAMS"
No price and no availability date. Its a 4-person enclosed, 3-wheel vehicle that flies via ducted-fan technology for vertical take-off and landing ability. Road speeds are not quoted but they're talking 300 mph for the air speed and lately they have been talking about "complete automated flight systems" for the vehicle. They have a 2003 video on their web site showing the thing getting about 10 feet off the ground. A May 2013 email I received from them indicated that they may produce a vehicle in China and the rotary engine in Phoenix, Arizona. They always seem to be courting investors and in late 2013 launched a crowdfunding campaign. Truthfully, the more information I get from them the more conflicting signals I get as to what they are actually doing. Located in California.
No price and an "8 to 12 years" availability date for Terrafugia's second carplane offering. Its envisioned as an electric-powered 4-person car with vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Also envisioned is automatic landing capabilities in the case of pilot incapacitation. Located in Massachusetts.
$49,300 kit but no availability date Its a 2-person motorcycle that flies as a Light Sport Aircraft via a removable set of wings. Ground speed is whatever a small motorcycle will do and the anticipated maximum air speed is 138 mph. The major drawback to this design is that you have to leave the wings behind at the airport when you drive away, which forces you to return to the airport to pick them up. Located in New Jersey.
$450,000 but no availability date Its a 4-person car that flies via ducted-fan technology but without any vertical take-off or landing claims. Max anticipated ground speed of 85 mph and max air speed of 220 mph. Their web site says that the project is on indefinite hold. Located in Washington and Maryland.
Still on the drawing board so no price and no availability date Its a 4-wheeled, enclosed electric vehicle concept with 8 rotors and 2 pusher props. Located in California. (Their web site says almost nothing so check out this Gizmag article.)
New in 2014, its basically a jet engine attached to the top of a car with folding wings. Just a bunch of pretty pictures.
This carplane was once considered a legitimate competitor but there has been no demonstrated progress made for years so it has been removed from the list. It is a 2 person enclosed cockpit vehicle with a hybrid electric-gasoline propulsion system that is expected to deliver an impressive maximum airspeed of 197 mph and surprisingly short take-off and landing distances of only 400 feet. The wings must be manually stowed and deployed. An actual vehicle exists and that vehicle has undergone some low level flight testing. Located in California.
New in 2014, this French powered parachute concept looks alot like the ITEC Maverick flying car or the Parajet Skyrunner. I've asked for some specifics but haven't received a response yet.
GENERAL LINKS
Lot's of background material on carplanes here; no reason to repeat it.
After some begging and pleading they finally mentioned this site in one of there 6 zillion publications. Thanks AOPA, I'm renewing my membership. Click here for March 7, 2012 AOPA Article on Carplanes that Quotes me and References This Site
Strangely silent on the whole carplane thing so far - but I'm not complaining because once they get involved...
Video of the world's first "flying car".