A brief flight of Tesla’s upcoming Roadster 2 was demonstrated on Thursday at SpaceX’s rocket‑testing site in McGregor, Texas. The prototype lifted a few dozen feet after a jerky maneuver, though no driver was on board, a precaution Elon Musk said was taken “to make sure we don’t kill anyone.” The new Roadster, whose price has not yet been announced but is expected to be high, is slated for production in 2028.
Aviation experts warn that turning the car into a true flying vehicle will involve extensive government approvals. “The Federal Aviation Administration has jurisdiction over any machine that leaves the surface of the earth,” said Scott Miller, an airline pilot and lecturer in the Aviation and Technology program at San José State University. He added that the Roadster “is going to introduce a whole set of regulatory issues.”
Musk acknowledged the legal hurdles during the event. “I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions,” he said, noting that the car “is not necessarily a safety‑optimized car.” FAA spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt later stated, “The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA’s definition of an aircraft.” Michael McCormick, a former FAA official now heading the Air Traffic Management program at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, explained that any flying vehicle over roughly 250 pounds must undergo FAA certification and obtain clearance to operate in national airspace, a process that could take “at least a year.” A standard driver’s license would not be sufficient; owners would likely need a recreational aviation license.
Take‑off and landing present additional challenges. Most states require aircraft to launch from airports or designated helipads. Starting a flight from a public road would fall under state or local regulations, and many jurisdictions are wary of sudden aircraft intrusions on streets and highways, Miller noted. Consequently, the vehicle might only be usable on large private properties.
The FAA is currently developing rules and pilot programs for electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, which use multiple electric motors and propellers to carry up to four passengers over distances of 20 to 150 miles, sometimes autonomously. The Trump administration launched a three‑year pilot project this year allowing companies to test eVTOL technology in several states, though certification has taken years to secure.
Practical concerns also linger for the Roadster 2. The core physics of a flying car pose a dilemma: road safety demands weight and durability, yet “weight is the enemy of an airplane,” Miller explained, noting that previous attempts have struggled to balance power and mass.
Despite the obstacles, Miller praised Thursday’s demonstration. “If this does make it into production, that is a truly impressive engineering and production feat,” he said.
Updated on October 16 at 1:50 p.m. ET: An official FAA statement has been added.