The future is now: Flying car comes to Miami
If you grew up watching "The Jetsons," you may have thought that by the 21st century, we'd all have flying cars. It hasn't quite worked out that way, but that could be changing—if you have $599,000 and a pilot's license.
As part of Art Week Miami (Dec. 2-8), the 700-foot, 60-story Paramount World Center luxury condo tower under construction in downtown Miami will open its doors, and as part of that celebration, attendees will see the American debut of the world's first commercially produced flying car.
The Pioneer Personal Air Landing Vehicle features rotor blades that allow it to fly like a helicopter, but they can fold in so the vehicle can drive on streets. It uses regular gasoline instead of aviation fuel, and 70 of the vehicles have already been ordered.
The vehicle will be able to land on the roof of the Paramount, which, among other amenities, will feature a SkyPort for landing such vehicles.
"Ever since 'The Jetsons' TV cartoon aired in the mid-1960s, the world has been talking about flying cars," said Daniel Kodsi, Paramount's developer, in a press release. "We have built the 60th floor SkyDeck pool so it can be modified with a hydraulic floor that rises, transforming itself into a take-off and landing pad for flying cars."
The flying cars can travel up to 110 mph on the road, 230 mph in the air, and reach a top altitude of 12,500 feet.
When completed in early 2020, the Paramount World Center will include 569 homes. Prices range from $750,000 to $10 million, and 90% of the units are already sold. The complex will include 11 residential and commercial office buildings, the new Miami Convention Center and several hotels, including a 1600-room Marriott Marquis, the largest hotel in Florida.
The recently renamed Virgin Trains U.S., formerly Brightline, will have its main terminal right next to the complex.
"Paramount Miami Worldcenter is altering the city's skyline," Kodsi said.
©2019 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
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