Electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre has become the first official passenger to take off in KleinVision’s flying AirCar in preparation for Starmus Opening Concert also Featuring Sir Brian May of Queen.

The ‘flying car’, which has more in common with a small piston aeroplane than it does with contemporary VTOL designs,  received its Certificate of Airworthiness in January 2022. So far the vehicle has logged a 130 flight hours and 520 takeoffs.

“It is like being in a Jules Verne book, but for real! One second you speak to the driver, and next, you are up there in the air – an amazing experience!” said Jean-Michel Jarre after completing two flights in the AirCar at Piestany international airport.

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The artist’s excitement was palpable as he marvelled at the futuristic experience, perfectly reflecting the theme of his upcoming Starmus opening concert, ‘The Bridge from the Future’, powered by ESET, global digital security leader.

“AirCar addition to Starmus is a fantastic complement to our festival experience,” said Garik Israelian, PhD, astrophysicist at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands and co-founder of Starmus, alongside Sir Brian May. “It mirrors the exhilarating journey we embark on, starting with Jean-Michel and Brian’s monumental concert that propels us to new heights, soaring alongside artists and inspiring thinkers like Jane Goodall, and coming back to Earth with the wisdom of astronaut Chris Hadfield once the festival concludes.”

Professor Stefan Klein, inventor, and pilot, expressed his pride as Jean-Michel became the inaugural passenger on the groundbreaking aircraft. “From dreams to reality, we have taken flight together with Jean-Michel, opening a new era of transportation with a touch of magic,” said Klein, moments before completing another successful intercity flight from Piestany to Nitra.

Anton Zajac, co-founder of KleinVision and ESET, lauded the advancement the AirCar represents in blurring the lines between roads and skies. “We are bridging the gap between the road and the sky, giving cars the freedom they symbolized 50 years ago,” Zajac remarked.