Dream of owning a flying car? This California company is already selling them

Los Angeles Times ^ | Jan. 30, 2026 3 AM PT | Caroline Petrow-Cohen

[E. Pluribus Unum]

• Pivotal’s eVTOL aircraft dubbed Helix is available to order online for $190,000, with deliveries expected within a year.

• Buyers don’t need a pilot’s license to operate the aircraft, though they must complete training and take an FAA knowledge test.

• An advocacy organization has raised safety concerns over crowded airspace.

A future with flying cars is no longer science fiction — all you need to order your own is about $200,000 and some hope and patience.

The Palo Alto-based company Pivotal has been developing the technology since 2009 and is nearly ready to bring it to market. The company’s founder Marcus Leng was the first to fly in its real-life version of a flying car in 2011.

Leng engineered an ultralight, electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft known as an eVTOL. Other VTOL aircraft, such as helicopters, had existed for decades, but Leng’s invention was fixed-wing and didn’t rely on gas.

The Canadian engineer dubbed his creation BlackFly and spent years working on it in secret. The company moved to the Bay Area in 2014 and by 2018 had developed a second version of BlackFly that laid the groundwork for Helix, the aircraft Pivotal now offers for sale.

“The company kind of came out of stealth at that point and said, ‘This is what we’re up to,’ ” said Pivotal Chief Executive Ken Karklin, who took over company leadership from Leng in 2022.

Those who are curious — and wealthy — can reserve a Helix today with a $50,000 deposit. The aircraft starts at $190,000 with the option of purchasing a transport trailer for $21,000 and a charger for $1,100.

A customer who makes their reservation today could receive their aircraft in nine to 12 months, Karklin said. It...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I hear he was born via C-section. That’s why he goes in and out of his house through the window. 🤡

[Tucker39]

Not to mention electric power lines; like the late John Heinz in a helicopter....with a qualified pilot, even. There will be mayhem; goofy owners landing on busy highways, in rush hour traffic! IF...they ever really produce them and sell them to the gullible public.

[T.B. Yoits]

Try flying your car into Class B airspace over LAX and see what happens.

Yeah, it's categorized as an ultralight.

CFR Title 14 Chapter I Subchapter F Part 103

§ 103.11 Daylight operations.
(a) No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, ultralight vehicles may be operated during the twilight periods 30 minutes before official sunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset or, in Alaska, during the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac, if:
(1) The vehicle is equipped with an operating anticollision light visible for at least 3 statute miles; and
(2) All operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace.

§ 103.15 Operations over congested areas.
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.

§ 103.17 Operations in certain airspace.
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

[Sacajaweau]

People buy helicopters...2 people in our town have them and have pads in their yard. How did the town allow this?? Pure politics!!!

[GenXPolymath]

“Try flying your car into Class B airspace over LAX and see what happens. The whole concept of flying cars is idiotic.”

If your Evtol is not part 103 ultralight then it would be either a Sport light or a full general aviation aircraft. Which you would need a PPL or a Sport light licence either of those can request ATC clearance and vectors to cross class B airspace.

This is a ultralight aircraft and is prohibited from all air space other than class G so it’s moot.

You also under Part § 103.15 Operations over congested areas.

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.

This alone means you will ever be able to takeoff over your home or any other structures for that matter. The FAA considers anywhere with structures congested by default often after the fact it’s a sh1tty written reg on purpose at that.

[GingisK]

Nah! I want an AH-64 Apache, or nothing.

[curious7]

Check under the couch cushions!

[SaveFerris]

Good idea! 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️