Flying cars could be on the horizon as Nottingham firm works on prototype

It may sound like a far-fetched scene from Blade Runner, but flying cars could soon become a reality as a Nottingham company bids to make one of the first models.

VRCO , based at Strelley Hall, says the NeoXCraft will be able to travel by air, road and water.

The firm, which hopes the £1.5m luxury-styled vehicles will be in commercial production by 2020, is believed to be the first in the UK to go public on its desire to build flying cars.

It has received almost £500,000 backing from a range of sponsors and crowd-funding, including funding from the European Regional Development Fund, and expects to soon secure £10m in backing from private investors.

This would help it to begin building prototypes early next year and to gain certification from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Design of the flying car NeoXCraft, being made by VRCO Read More

CEO and co-founder Daniel Hayes, a 43-year-old entrepreneur who lives in Mapperley Park, said: "This is a new form of human transportation that's fully multi-modal.

"It can take off vertically from your driveway, garden or wherever it's safe. You can then land and use the road for the final part of your journey, get out and go into your workplace, and the car will park itself.

"Just think of the impact on humanity this will have. It takes away congestion and it's a completely carbon-neutral form of transport , making it very efficient.

Daniel Hayes, CEO of VRCO, which wants to build the flying car NeoXCraft

"Human productivity can step up as you're not spending hours in traffic on the roads and can get to where you want to be guaranteed on time.

"Our vision of the next 10 years is that the shackles of commuting are falling away and it's an age of 'airvolution'."

Former Trent College student and venture capitalist Mr Hayes teamed up with Chiswick-based chairman Mike Smith, who has experience in unmanned aviation, and set up VRCO last year.

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They have displayed simulations of the design at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and presented it in India and Dubai.

Design of the flying car NeoXCraft, being made by VRCO

A feasibility study for the project is being carried out by the University of Derby's Institute for Innovation, which investigates concepts for low-carbon developments.

It was particularly keen on the NeoXCraft project because it will aim to have a low environmental impact, running on electric power.

It will combine ducted fan technology , hybrid engine power, modern lightweight composite materials and advanced flight controllers.#

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The two-man vehicle, carrying 180kg of load, could reach airborne speeds of up to 180 knots – equivalent to 210 mph – and fly for up to an hour at between 1,000ft and 3,000ft.

Mr Smith, 40, said the pathway to gaining a CAA certificate is the same as conventional aircraft and a qualified pilot will be needed to operate it, while the company plans to set up a training academy for buyers.

Mike Smith, chairman of VRCO, which wants to make the flying car NeoXCraft Read More

He added: "It will be a really high-performing aircraft and we've built it with safety in mind.

"It comes with a built-in parachute and will be extremely safe and comfortable."

Other countries, including the United States, China, and Germany, are also developing flying cars but Nottingham – which also created the first flying bedstead in 1953 – could be behind the first to create a luxury-styled model.

Design of the flying car NeoXCraft, being made by VRCO

Although it uses an office in Strelley Hall, VRCO will need a large manufacturing plant of about 500,000 sq ft should it start commercial development – with about 100 vehicles planned for the first phase – and is looking at sites across the Midlands, including Nottingham Airport at Tollerton.

The company, which will require more investment as it scales up, would also look to employ about 20 people to begin with.

Mr Hayes will join Professor Paul Stewart, director of innovation at the University of Derby, as guest speaker at a Green Innovation and Design for Business event aimed at SMEs on Thursday, November 30. It will be held at the Institute of Innovation, Lonsdale House, Quaker Way, Derby.

Prof Paul Stewart, director of innovation at the University of Derby

To book a place, visit derby.ac.uk/newsevents/events/calendar/green-innovation-and-design-for-business.php.

Source: Flying cars could be on the horizon as Nottingham firm works on prototype