New Delhi:
Alongside the latest supersonic fighter jets and transport aircraft on display, one would also get to see an indigenously developed flying car based on the popular Maruti 800 at this year's Aero India show beginning here next week.
Developed by a Bangalore based company - Bangalorean - the car would be on a static display along with some of the best fighter aircraft of the world at the event from February 9th to 13th.
"A Bangalore-based gentleman has developed the concept and he claims that this car can fly. He has done necessary modifications," Secretary Defence Production Raj Kumar Singh told reporters here.
The developer has used the basic Maruti 800 car model to develop it into a flying machine, but the senior official clarified that "it has no connection with the Maruti Udyog Limited."
"Since it has not received necessary permissions from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to fly we have granted it space for static demonstration only," Singh said.
He was not able to share any other detail about the person and the company who developed the car.
"He has not revealed much about this car," he added.
On being asked why a car is being allowed to participate in an air show while it should be participating in a show related to automobiles, the secretary said, "Simply because the show is about everything which can fly. Moreover, it is an interesting concept."
In a similar concept an American company known as Terrafugia is also planning to launch its first flying car by the end of this year. Known as 'Transition Roadable Aircraft' the car could cost between 125,000 to 160,000 pounds.
Partly funded by the US Department of Defence, the car was first envisaged in the year 2006.
Developed by a Bangalore based company - Bangalorean - the car would be on a static display along with some of the best fighter aircraft of the world at the event from February 9th to 13th.
"A Bangalore-based gentleman has developed the concept and he claims that this car can fly. He has done necessary modifications," Secretary Defence Production Raj Kumar Singh told reporters here.
The developer has used the basic Maruti 800 car model to develop it into a flying machine, but the senior official clarified that "it has no connection with the Maruti Udyog Limited."
"Since it has not received necessary permissions from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to fly we have granted it space for static demonstration only," Singh said.
He was not able to share any other detail about the person and the company who developed the car.
"He has not revealed much about this car," he added.
On being asked why a car is being allowed to participate in an air show while it should be participating in a show related to automobiles, the secretary said, "Simply because the show is about everything which can fly. Moreover, it is an interesting concept."
In a similar concept an American company known as Terrafugia is also planning to launch its first flying car by the end of this year. Known as 'Transition Roadable Aircraft' the car could cost between 125,000 to 160,000 pounds.
Partly funded by the US Department of Defence, the car was first envisaged in the year 2006.
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