When it comes to modern, futuristic gadgets, there is one previously predicted piece of tech that is painfully absent from the 2020s: the flying car. While flying cars and hovercrafts have remained a part of of depictions of the future for several decades now, they’re simply nowhere to be seen on our streets — or in our skies. Luckily for flying car fans, there is something that comes close!
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
This flying hovercraft from Hammacher Schlemmer may be just what you need for your next short-term air commute, and it’s about as close as you’ll come to flying cars in 2022 (except for planes, if you count those). This hovercraft is designed to fly over land or water and it can soar up to 70 mph using its broad, built-in wings and propellor system.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
In addition, the flying hovercraft can navigate up to 20 feet in the air, letting it have a bit more flexibility than other hovercrafts. It can also be flown up to 160 miles at a time per tank of gas, featuring two nine-gallon tanks. The hovercraft also holds up to 600 pounds between a pilot, passengers and any payloads.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
It’s simply controlled by a joystick managing three vertical rudders and the elevator, as well as a twist friction-lock throttle controlling forward speed. The hovercraft also includes a variable drive system which can be modified to control the lift fan and the craft’s hovering in general.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
For seating inside the flying hovercraft, there is a single, front-and-center cockpit area chair for the pilot, and what appears to be a short set of bench seats just behind the piloting area. It’s closed in by two upward-opening unit doors that can be pulled down behind the passengers while inside. The cockpit area looks just like something you’d find in a plane with a few informational dials and gauges, and a talk radio to make you feel extra pilot-y.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
The flying hovercraft includes a 130-horsepower twin-cylinder gasoline engine that’s liquid-cooled, turbocharged and fuel-injected. It also has a 60-inch wood/carbon composite thrust propellor and a 34-inch lift fan with 1,100 rpm to inflate the whole unit. The hovercraft has a vinyl-coated nylon skirt for its exterior that’s inflated when the unit is in use.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
It measures roughly 19 feet long wing-to-wing, 7 feet and 8 inches wide and about 6 feet and 6 inches tall. The whole flying hovercraft unit weighs about 1,100 pounds before counting passengers and cargo.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
The hull has a low center of gravity for optimal maneuverability, and it’s made from a combination of composite fiberglass and PVC plastic, letting it work well in winds up to 25 mph and in waves of up to six feet while flying.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
The company says the flying hovercraft is designed for use above freshwater, saltwater and in up to 30 percent inclines in environments with grass, sand, mud, snow, ice, and desert, using its wings and horizontal elevator to let the pilot move around obstacles.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
As for registration, the company says it will need to be registered as a boat, which shouldn’t be a problem since it can effectively be used as such — only with more style and a few feet off the body of water.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
However, if you’d rather focus on the watercraft side of things than the premium, high-powered art of hovercrafts, this SeaBreacher dolphin-inspired submarine hybrid may be another good option for you.
Credit: Seabreacher
Whatever your work route is, you can make it that much more interesting by hovering there! The flying hovercraft from Hammacher may be worth your time — and money — especially if you just need that extra little thrill to get out of bed in the morning.
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
You can snag one of these flying hovercrafts from their website for a whopping $190k!
Credit: Universal Hovercraft
Check out the flying hovercraft in action via the video below!
