The state’s 2024 transportation policy bill, which was signed by Governor Tim Walz in May and includes a measure that would categorize roadable aircraft as motor vehicles, went into effect Thursday, allowing cars that can take to the sky using wings or propellers to drive on the highway.

Minnesota joins New Hampshire as the only states to pass what legislators are dubbing “Jetsons laws.”

The measure defines roadable aircraft as “any aircraft capable of taking off and landing from a suitable airfield which is also designed to be driven on public roadways as a motor vehicle.”

“This is how we get to the future of flying cars, which sounds awesome to me,” said Minnesota State Representative Nolan West, a Republican, in March.

On the other hand, Democratic State Representative Larry Kraft said the vehicles should face further scrutiny before hitting the roads, citing fuel use and urban sprawl.

So far, there are no vehicles that are certified as roadable aircraft in the U.S., though several companies are developing what they describe as flying cars.

Samson Sky, for example, is building the “street-legal” Switchblade, a three-wheel design intended to drive as fast as 125 mph and cruise in the air at 139 knots. A Samson analyst provided input to the Minnesota Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee as the flying car bill was taking shape, and the company is pushing for similar legislation elsewhere.

Other drive-and-fly vehicle manufacturers include Alef Aeronautics and Aska, both of which have obtained FAA special airworthiness certification to begin flight testing, Doroni Aerospace, and Terrafugia.

By and large, the companies’ designs are geared toward personal, recreational flight. Owners could drive out of their garage to an airport, where they could take off and fly to a nearby destination like the beach.

Some firms, like Samson and Alef, have reported preorder sales worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Similar personal flying vehicles, such as Pivotal’s BlackFly or Lift Aircraft’s Hexa, have drawn attention and funding from the U.S. military.

The new Minnesota law classifies roadable aircraft as motor vehicles, allowing them to be driven on public roadways. They will need to adhere to FAA regulations in the sky and at airports and follow the rules of transportation regulators on the ground.

The vehicles must take off and land only at airfields and restricted landing areas. Gliding into an interstate landing, for example, would be considered a misdemeanor unless it were an emergency situation—an exception that exists for aircraft in most states.

In lieu of license plates, flying cars driving on public roadways will require registration decals clearly visible in the front and rear. The decals, provided by the state’s transportation commissioner via application, will include the make and model of the vehicle and federally issued tail number. Owners must also register the vehicle with the state as an aircraft. Drivers will be prohibited from unfurling wing and tail components on the road.

Although several flying car manufacturers have already opened the preorder process, roadable aircraft are likely still years away from taking to the road or sky.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, which similarly mesh two vehicle types—winged aircraft and rotorcraft—have yet to get off the ground despite some manufacturers having begun development more than a decade ago.

The long runway to commercial eVTOL service is due not just to the complexity of designing, building, and testing the aircraft. There’s also plenty of regulatory confusion about how to classify the vehicles and set rules around pilot training, maintenance, and operation.

Flying car manufacturers are attempting to combine two even more disparate vehicles and operate under the domain of multiple transportation regulators, which would seemingly add to the complexity of the path they face. They also lack the backing of the largest eVTOL manufacturers, some of which have raised north of $1 billion.

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Doroni Aerospace on Friday revealed the sleek-looking H1-X: a two-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) model designed for personal transportation. The company anticipates the first H1-X test flight by the end of 2024.

Doroni could certify the tandem wing design as a light sport aircraft (LSA) under the FAA’s MOSAIC proposal, which would raise the weight limit on such aircraft from 1,320 pounds to about 3,000 pounds. Doing so would lower the model’s barrier to certification and make it more accessible to pilots.

Personal eVTOL aircraft such as the H1-X are expected to hit the U.S. market before electric air taxis, which a handful of manufacturers intend to launch commercially in 2025. The smaller models may give Americans their first glimpse of eVTOL technology.

“The H1-X is not just a vehicle; it’s a leap towards a future where freedom of movement and sustainability coexist,” said Doron Merdinger, CEO of Doroni. “Our dedication to innovation, safety, and the environment is embodied in every aspect of the H1-X, marking a new chapter in transportation.”

Doroni called the H1-X’s unusual tandem wing configuration—which it claims will enhance lift and efficiency—a “leap in aerodynamic sophistication.” It includes integrated wing landing gear, with wing fences to manage airflow.

Another defining feature is the propulsion system. The aircraft receives its lift from four in-wing electric ducted fans, a technology also featured on the Lilium Jet. The fans are designed to reduce noise and improve flight efficiency while keeping the blades enclosed, making the H1-X suitable for urban environments.

Eight vertical electric motors—two each on the aircraft’s four wings—power the fans, enabling quiet and efficient vertical takeoff and landing without a runway. The company said the eVTOL could even land on driveways or roofs.

As two rear-mounted pusher propellers move the aircraft forward, its wings generate lift, conserving power and reducing the amount of lift thrust required from the fans. Doroni said it has patented the combination of tandem wings and electric ducted fans. It added that the design was inspired by jet fighters of the 1950s and 1960s, which blended different wing cambers and sweeps.

The aircraft can fly for about 40 minutes on a single charge, with the ability to charge fully in as little as 20 minutes. Battery packs will be swappable and compatible with standard electric ground vehicle chargers, similar to most eVTOL air taxi concepts.

Combined, the technologies aboard the H1-X give the aircraft a range of 60 sm (52 nm), top speed of 120 mph (104 knots), and payload capacity of 500 pounds, making it ideal for urban or semiurban commutes, Doroni said.

The aircraft was “designed to make flying as accessible as driving,” according to the company. The pilot controls the eVTOL using a single joystick, powering it on and initiating takeoff or landing with a single push of a button. Intuitive precision flight controls do the rest. To store it, owners require only the space of a two-car garage.

The aircraft comes with semiautonomous navigation as well as a self-stabilizing flight system, which is designed to keep the aircraft in equilibrium. Safety features include a built-in ballistic parachute and advanced anti-collision sensors that continuously monitor for obstacles.

The H1-X’s total takeoff weight of 1,850 pounds would qualify it as LSA under the FAA’s MOSAIC proposal, which would expand the definition of LSA to accommodate new aircraft types. Doroni last year said it would consider LSA certification for the H1, its “go-to-market aircraft” unveiled in 2021. It did not mention such plans for the H1-X, but it’s possible the manufacturer has similar intentions.

Doroni said its new model has the potential to transform not just personal travel but also logistics and support services. The company envisions a wide range of applications, including cargo delivery, emergency services, and military operations.

Doroni launched preorders for the go-to-market H1 in 2022. It announced it would accept 36 preorder reservations in the first year of production, “scaling slowly in order to ensure the highest level of quality and safety possible.” Customers will require a valid driver’s license and the completion of a 20-hour training course to fly the H1. The company anticipates the aircraft’s launch later this year.

The predecessor to the H1-X in July completed what Doroni said was the first test flight of a personal two-seat eVTOL in the U.S. It received FAA airworthiness certification in December, at which time the company said it had more than 370 preorders in its backlog.

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Under the agreement, 3Points said it intends to purchase and sell 25 H1s, which Doroni calls “flying cars,” after the aircraft completes testing and regulatory approval. 3points will also help test the vehicles in exchange for having access to prototypes. The companies said they also might consider starting a formal partnership.

The H1 is a two-seat personal aircraft intended for consumer use and designed to be parked in a two-car garage. Doroni said it expects to begin flight-testing the H1 by the fourth quarter of this year. The company said it plans to receive FAA certification for the H1 and begin selling the aircraft by the second half of 2024.

Doroni estimated the H1’s eventual selling price will be $195,000. The company also said it plans to provide customers with a 20-hour training course on operating the H1. Under the agreement, Doroni said it will also benefit from contact with 3Points’ network of clients and aircraft operators.

Doroni said it has received more than 230 pre-order requests for the H1. The aircraft is part of its plan “to democratize the power of flight by delivering transformative electric vertical takeoff and landing technology directly to consumers,” the company said.

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