'Bob used to always draw flying cars, I didn't think Bob looked like a fortune teller.'
A painting panorama under the title 'Wawasan 2020' during an art class showing a flying car may not be just a fantasy with the United States (US) about to introduce flying taxi regulations.
It is understood that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing commercial flying taxi flight regulations that are expected to become a reality by the middle of this decade.
In general, since the introduction of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) it has changed the air transport landscape to a more commercial one.
The advantages of eVTOLs that fly at low altitudes are attracting world attention and there are efforts by airlines to commercialize them, including in Malaysia.
Currently airlines use electric powered aircraft such as eVTOLs to take travelers to airports or short trips between cities to avoid traffic.
Because of that, the FAA is reportedly proposing a proposal to redefine the 'powered-lift' operating rules to allow airlines to add flying taxis to their services.
According to the FAA's statement, the definition of 'powered-lift' will be the cornerstone that allows operators to use powered-lift aircraft.
It may also indirectly allow pilots and be operational approvals to fly eVTOLs once effective.
However, the time it takes for the proposal to become an official rule will take time with the FAA's Acting Administrator explaining the possibility of eVTOL becoming commercial by 2025 at the latest.
He added that commercialization of the flight service also depends on the safety level of eVTOL in a series of tests.
