Minnesota Legalizes Flying Cars

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a new law to allow flying vehicles to be used on state roads and highways, reports Israel Salas-Rodriguez for the The U.S. Sun. The legislation is the second of its kind in the United States; New Hampshire passed similar legislation back in 2020, when flying cars still seemed a distant possibility. But Minnesota’s new legislation and the Federal Aviation Administration regulators granting a first-of-its kind approval for a flight-capable car made by California Company Alef Aeronautics just last year seem to suggest the industry is gaining momentum.

According to The U.S. Sun piece, “The market is expected to expand significantly, with US companies Samson Sky and Alef and European companies PAL-V and Klein anticipating production starts in 2025.” Alef’s two-passenger flying vehicle is expected to cost $300,000, while Sampson Sky’s two-passenger flying vehicle, which successfully completed a maiden flight last November, is expected to cost around $140,000.

Minnesota’s new law outlines the registration requirements of cars capable of flying and allows “roadable aircraft” to be driven on state roads and highways, though takeoff and landing on public roads is prohibited unless in case of an emergency. “This development represents a significant advancement for the burgeoning flying car industry, writes Salas-Rodriguez.