A Tesla Flying Car? I Don’t Know, Man

Tesla demonstrated a Roadster 2 sports car briefly lifting off the ground at a SpaceX testing facility, renewing questions about Elon Musk’s claim that it could fly. The demonstration was unmanned, and aviation experts say flying the car would require significant regulatory approval, so the idea matters as much for its legal and practical hurdles as its engineering.

Tesla expects production in 2028, though it has not announced a price. Aircraft over about 250 pounds generally need Federal Aviation Administration approval and clearance to use national airspace; certification could take at least a year, and pilots would likely need an aviation licence. Take-off and landing would also face state and local restrictions, while the challenge of making a vehicle light enough to fly remains unresolved.