What flying car? It’s just a drone, says transport minister

A model of a prototype “flying car” which was on exhibited during the Lima air show in March.

KUALA LUMPUR: The transport minister today said the flying car being promoted by Entrepreneur Development Minister Redzuan Yusof is a drone and, therefore, needs to get the go ahead from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

“If you want to fly drones, you need CAAM’s approval,” minister Loke Siew Fook said when winding up the 2020 Supply Bill for his ministry at the Dewan Rakyat today.

This led to Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) thanking Loke for his explanation.

“On behalf of all MPs, we would like to say thank you as it isn’t a flying car, but a drone.”

Yesterday, in inviting opposition MPs for a test ride on the flying car, Redzuan described the vehicle as a “two man vehicle”.

The “flying car” project, by a private Malaysian company, was announced at the Langkawi air and maritime show earlier this year and drew derision and sarcastic comments on social media and scepticism from opposition MPs.

In March, the vehicle’s developers, Aerodyne Group, said the car, known as Vector, was a drone powered by four motors running off a lithium-ion battery

It is expected to carry a load of up to 150-200kg and will be able to fly about 50m above ground level at 60km/h for between 30 and 90 minutes. - FMT