Despite the predictions of futurists, the 21st century is suffering from a true dearth of flying cars, but that’s not stopping politicians from making laws about them.
Minnesota has become the second state to pass what it’s calling a “Jetsons law,” establishing rules for cars that can take to the sky. New Hampshire was the first to enact a “Jetsons” law.
The new road rules in Minnesota address “roadable aircraft,” which is basically any aircraft that can take off and land at an airfield but is also designed to be operated on a public highway. The law will let owners of these vehicles register them as cars and trucks, but they won’t have to obtain a license plate. The tail number will suffice instead.
As for operation, flying cars won’t be allowed to take off or land on public roadways, Minnesota officials declared (an exception is made in the case of emergency). Those shenanigans are restricted to airports.
While the idea of a Jetsons-like sky full of flying cars is still firmly rooted in the world of science fiction, the concept of flying cars isn’t quite as distant as it might seem (though it has some high-profile skeptics). United Airlines, two years ago, made a $10 million bet on the technology, putting down a deposit for 200 four-passenger flying taxis from Archer Aviation, a San Francisco–based startup working on the aircraft/auto hybrid.
Embracer’s Eve Air Mobility, Boeing’s Wisk, and Honeywell are also working on flying cars.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet cleared the vehicles to begin ferrying passengers, but United’s down payment is a sign of support that the technology is valid. American Airlines, in 2021, announced it would invest $25 million in a separate electric-aircraft company.