Be Your Own Top Gun with the Maverick Sport Flying Car

This two-seater, push-prop puppy looks like an extended thrill ride waiting to happen. A light weight, high performance dune buggy that can also fly -- using its inflatable wing and intrinsic telescopic mast.

As a car alone, the vehicle’s performance is pretty impressive. Its 140 hp, fuel-injected, 16-valve Subaru EJ22 engine sends it from 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds, it has a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h), and the whole rig weighs less than 1,000 pounds (454 kg).

When it’s time to fly, the Maverick’s central telescopic mast raises and acts as a wing spar for its chute, properly known as a ram-air wing. The flip of a switch diverts engine power from the rear wheels to the rear-mounted five-blade propeller, which propels the car across the ground, up to its take-off speed of 40mph (64km/h). Thanks to its ram-air wing design, the Maverick can take flight in only 300 feet (91 meters).

Once in the air, the vehicle’s electronic fly-by-wire system allows the pilot to steer it with the steering wheel, just like they would on the ground. According to I-TEC, existing sport pilots can learn to fly the Maverick within 12 hours. A dash-mounted Garmin GPS allows for both aerial and ground-based navigation. In flight mode, it has a maximum payload of 330 pounds (150 kg). _Gizmag

Mounting pontoons to the basic unit should be a snap, providing airboat capabilities using the push-prop. Water takeoffs and landings should be within reach, once you tweak the aerodynamics and weight balance of your flotation.

Watch the video, and then tell me you're not in love. I like this inflatable wing flying car better than the Parajet.

Available within a year, price unknown. Designed and built by missionaries. ;-) Really.