Türkiye’s AirCar makes history with first manned flight of electric flying vehicle
May 02, 2025 11:46 PM GMT+03:00
Türkiye-based tech startup AirCar marked a major milestone on April 5 with the country’s first manned flight of a domestically developed electric flying vehicle, carried out at Bilisim Vadisi in the northwestern city of Kocaeli.
AirCar’s founder and CEO, Eray Altunbozar, piloted the two-seat eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft during the test, which lasted approximately 10 minutes under wind speeds exceeding 35 kilometers per hour. The aircraft, which reached an altitude of 8 meters, landed safely, complying with all flight safety protocols.
Altunbozar said the successful test places AirCar among only five companies worldwide to have conducted a manned flight with an eVTOL vehicle, highlighting Türkiye’s growing role in next-generation transportation technologies.
Following the breakthrough, the company announced that mass production efforts are underway and that preparations have begun to establish full-scale manufacturing facilities.
Türkiye’s AirCar makes history with first manned flight of electric flying vehicle
AirCar’s two-seater model, designed as an autonomous air taxi for urban travel, can carry up to 200 kilograms and offers a range of 50 to 80 kilometers on a single charge. The aircraft also features an eight-motor safety system and operates five times more quietly than conventional helicopters.
The company aims to launch “AirCar Ports” in Istanbul to enable five-minute travel across congested corridors such as Maslak-Kadiköy.
AirCar’s single-seat version, which has attracted strong interest in Europe and the United States for training and recreational use, is expected to enter mass production by year’s end. Work is already underway on a pilot-scale production facility.
Türkiye’s AirCar makes history with first manned flight of electric flying vehicle
Founded in 2019, AirCar is pioneering Türkiye’s eVTOL sector. The company’s innovation has earned support from key institutions, including Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBİTAK) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and aligns with the Industry and Technology Ministry’s 2030 Strategic Roadmap.
AirCar aims to offer environmentally friendly, quiet, and efficient transport solutions not only for urban settings but also for access to nature and specialized uses.
May 02, 2025 11:52 PM GMT+03:00
