That Innovative Electro ‘Flying Car’ Could Even be Operated With a Driver’s License—and it Also Fits in Your Garage

Doroni claims that its H1 requires only 20 hours of flying instruction and a license to fly due to its intuitive cockpit.

Doroni, located in Miami, has begun taking pre-orders for its “personal” flying machines. At the EAA AirVenture in Wisconsin, the business recently demonstrated the cockpit of its H1 aircraft, utilizing VR headsets to recreate takeoff, flying, and landing.

Doroni is targeting a different market than the majority of eVTOL manufacturers, which develop air taxis for intra-city usage. Instead, it’s aiming for personal pilots, a la Jetson, with an aircraft that it promises would be more intuitive and easier to control than a helicopter or traditional airplane.

Company officials yesterday said in a webinar that they plan to “democratize” general aviation with a “semi-autonomous” aircraft designed for safety. CEO Doron Merdinger said anyone with a standard car driver’s license and 20-hour training course should be able to fly the H1.

The two-seat flying car has two sets of wings with large ducted fans, a 500-pound payload, and wheels—this last feature is unusual since most eVTOLs usually land on pads. The H1 is designed to drive into a standard garage and recharge overnight.

The curves on the fuselage and large fans give the H1 a futuristic but equally retro look. The H1 is expected to have a range of 60 miles, with a top speed of 140 mph.

Merdinger claims that the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in around 20 minutes. It will also be equipped with a parachute for emergencies.

The business is now creating its first two models at a new Miami facility, with the objective of completing the first full-scale flying model in the coming months.

Doroni intends for the H1 to be FAA-certified as a Light Sport Aircraft, allowing it to fit into an existing category, as opposed to most new eVTOL aircraft, which will have to go through certification processes in new categories.

According to the business, deliveries of the aircraft will commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. It intends to accept 36 pre-orders. There are now 19 construction slots available, according to the company’s website.

The H1 may be starting at 150,000 USD.