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15 Vehicles That Used Airplane Technology (And Sometimes Took Off Too)

Cameron Eittreim June 8, 2025

Since the dawn of aviation, engineers and designers have continuously drawn inspiration from the skies, translating airplane technology into innovative vehicles across land, sea, and rail.
From cars boasting aerodynamic wings to motorcycles powered by jet engines, the integration of aviation advancements has opened the door to groundbreaking possibilities.
Even boats and trains have adopted aircraft-inspired designs, resulting in impressive hybrids that sometimes even took flight.
Join us as we explore 15 remarkable vehicles that cleverly borrowed airplane technology, pushing the boundaries of engineering and turning ambitious dreams into reality.

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1. Aerocar

In the 1950s, the dream of seamlessly transitioning from road to sky came remarkably close to reality with the introduction of the Aerocar.
Designed by visionary inventor Moulton Taylor, this innovative vehicle combined the convenience of a car with the freedom of flight through its groundbreaking foldable wing design.
By detaching its tail and wings—which could be conveniently towed behind it as a trailer—the Aerocar could effortlessly switch from a conventional automobile into an operational airplane within minutes.
Though only a handful were built, its clever engineering remains an iconic example of aviation-inspired automotive innovation.

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2. Terrafugia Transition

Bringing the flying car concept into the 21st century, the Terrafugia Transition skillfully merges modern automotive design with sophisticated airplane technology.
This innovative vehicle features foldable wings and rear-mounted propellers, enabling it to swiftly shift from a road-legal automobile into a small aircraft.
Powered by a reliable gasoline engine, the Transition boasts impressive versatility—allowing users to drive comfortably on highways, then take to the sky from a nearby runway, bypassing traffic and obstacles.
With advanced avionics, safety features, and a streamlined design, the Terrafugia Transition represents one of the most ambitious modern attempts to realize the age-old dream of flexible airborne travel.

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3. Gibbs Aquada

Taking inspiration from aviation materials and aerodynamic principles, the Gibbs Aquada emerged as a trailblazing amphibious vehicle capable of seamlessly transitioning from land to water.
Crafted with lightweight composite materials commonly found in aircraft, the Aquada achieved remarkable buoyancy and agile maneuverability.
Its streamlined, airplane-inspired hull design reduced drag, allowing this versatile vehicle to swiftly glide across the water at speeds of over 30 mph.
By combining advanced engineering with aviation-influenced aesthetics, the Gibbs Aquada broke conventional vehicle boundaries, ushering in a new age of amphibious mobility that captured the imagination of adventurers worldwide.

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4. Bugatti Veyron

Inspired by advanced aerospace innovations, the Bugatti Veyron set new benchmarks for automotive engineering and design.
Its aerodynamic shape, meticulously refined in wind tunnels typically reserved for aircraft, ensured optimal stability and downforce at extreme velocities.
The Veyron extensively utilized lightweight aviation-grade materials, such as carbon fiber and titanium, significantly reducing weight without compromising structural integrity.
Moreover, its turbine-inspired cooling systems efficiently managed the immense heat generated by its powerful engine, mimicking the precision cooling techniques employed in jet propulsion.
This fusion of aerospace technology and automotive artistry made the Veyron a legendary supercar celebrated for both speed and sophistication.

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5. ThrustSSC

Harnessing the raw power of aviation technology, ThrustSSC became the first land vehicle to break the sound barrier, forever changing the perception of speed on wheels.
Powered by two enormous Rolls-Royce Spey jet engines—originally designed for military aircraft—this remarkable supersonic car reached an astonishing speed of 763 mph in 1997.
Its sleek, aerodynamic body, carefully sculpted for supersonic stability, took direct inspiration from jet fighter designs to manage shockwaves and airflow at extreme velocities.
ThrustSSC’s daring achievement demonstrated the incredible potential of aviation advancements when applied to ground vehicles, pushing automotive engineering boldly into uncharted territory.

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6. Chrysler Turbine Car

In the early 1960s, Chrysler embarked on a bold automotive experiment by introducing the Turbine Car, powered by an innovative engine directly inspired by aviation turbines.
Unlike traditional piston engines, Chrysler’s turbine engine provided exceptionally smooth acceleration, minimal vibration, and the ability to run on diverse fuels, from gasoline to jet fuel.
Its distinctive whirring sound and sleek, jet-age styling captured public imagination, clearly reflecting its aviation heritage.
Although mass production never materialized, the Chrysler Turbine Car represented a daring leap forward, showcasing how airplane propulsion technology could deliver automotive performance unlike anything seen before.

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7. Moller Skycar

Envisioned as the personal air vehicle of the future, the Moller Skycar ambitiously combined automotive convenience with advanced airplane technology.
This innovative VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicle utilized multiple aircraft-derived rotary engines, strategically positioned to enable vertical lift and agile maneuvering without requiring traditional runways.
Its futuristic design incorporated aerodynamic features inspired by contemporary aircraft, aiming for smooth transitions between vertical hovering and forward flight.
Though never commercially produced, the Skycar’s bold engineering and aviation-inspired technology continue to symbolize humanity’s enduring fascination with personal flight and the ongoing pursuit of practical airborne commuting.

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8. Curtiss-Wright Air-Car

In the late 1950s, the Curtiss-Wright Air-Car showcased an inventive approach to personal transportation by adapting aviation engineering into a hovering land vehicle.
Featuring aircraft-inspired lift fans powered by compact aviation engines, this unique vehicle aimed to glide effortlessly above various terrains without the need for conventional wheels.
Its specialized design drew heavily from aerodynamic principles and vertical-lift technologies developed for helicopters and experimental aircraft.
Although ultimately never mass-produced, the Air-Car’s innovative fan-based hover system demonstrated a visionary application of airplane technology, marking an intriguing chapter in the quest for versatile, airborne personal vehicles.

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9. Superbus

Blending luxury, speed, and cutting-edge aerospace technology, the Superbus emerged as an ambitious reimagining of mass transit.
Developed with advanced aerodynamic principles typically reserved for aircraft, its sleek, elongated design drastically reduced air resistance, allowing unprecedented speeds of up to 155 mph.
Constructed primarily from lightweight aviation-grade carbon fiber composites, the Superbus achieved remarkable efficiency without compromising passenger comfort or safety.
Powered entirely by electric motors, this futuristic vehicle demonstrated how airplane-inspired engineering could revolutionize ground transportation, offering a glimpse into the potential future of high-speed, eco-friendly commuting.

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10. BMW i8

BMW’s innovative i8 hybrid sports car seamlessly integrates aviation-inspired technologies, resulting in an automotive masterpiece that balances performance and efficiency.
Employing advanced aerodynamic principles usually reserved for aircraft, the i8 achieves optimal airflow and reduced drag, enhancing both speed and energy conservation.
Its lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic construction, a direct adaptation from aerospace engineering, significantly reduces weight without sacrificing strength or safety.
This sophisticated blend of airplane-derived materials and aerodynamic design contributes to the i8’s impressive handling, groundbreaking efficiency, and striking appearance, making it a compelling example of how aviation technology can elevate automotive performance.

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11. North American Eagle

The North American Eagle boldly transformed a retired Lockheed F-104 Starfighter jet into an audacious land-speed record contender, showcasing aviation technology pushed to its terrestrial limits.
Powered by a powerful jet engine originally designed for supersonic flight, this extraordinary vehicle aimed to surpass existing speed records by harnessing raw aircraft propulsion on the ground.
Its streamlined body and advanced aerodynamic design, inherited directly from fighter jet engineering, enabled it to minimize drag and maximize stability at extreme velocities.
The North American Eagle exemplifies how repurposed airplane technology continues to inspire daring innovations, pushing boundaries both in the air and on land.

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12. ICON A5

Bridging the gap between automotive simplicity and aviation excitement, the ICON A5 combines the ease of driving a car with the thrill of piloting an aircraft.
Designed as an amphibious sport plane, the A5 integrates intuitive cockpit controls, familiar steering mechanisms, and advanced safety systems drawn directly from automotive design principles.
Its lightweight carbon-fiber construction and foldable wings make it easy to transport and store, further emphasizing convenience and accessibility.
Whether landing on water or exploring from above, the ICON A5 demonstrates how seamlessly airplane and automotive technologies can blend, making aviation more approachable than ever before.

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13. PAL-V Liberty

Blending the practicality of a road vehicle with the freedom of flight, the PAL-V Liberty employs gyroplane technology to deliver a unique transportation experience.
Utilizing a freely spinning rotor for lift and a rear-mounted propeller for propulsion, the Liberty smoothly transitions from driving on highways to taking off from short airstrips.
Its aerodynamic design integrates aviation principles seamlessly, while its compact, foldable rotors ensure convenient road travel and easy parking.
This innovative hybrid demonstrates the exciting potential of combining gyroplane aviation technology with automotive convenience, paving the way for versatile, effortless commutes both on land and in the air.

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14. Bell Nexus Air Taxi

Envisioned as a revolutionary solution for urban transportation, the Bell Nexus Air Taxi leverages advanced airplane-inspired technology to redefine city mobility.
Built around vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, the Nexus incorporates multiple tilting ducted rotors, enabling it to smoothly transition from vertical lift to forward flight.
Its design integrates lightweight composite materials and aerodynamic shaping directly borrowed from aviation, significantly enhancing its efficiency, speed, and maneuverability.
With its intuitive controls and efficient propulsion system, the Bell Nexus concept exemplifies how aviation advancements could soon transform daily commutes, making rapid urban air travel possible and practical.

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15. Aerotrain

In the mid-20th century, the ambitious Aerotrain project aimed to revolutionize rail travel by integrating cutting-edge airplane technology directly into train design.
Borrowing heavily from aircraft construction techniques, the Aerotrain featured lightweight aluminum bodies, streamlined aerodynamic shapes, and suspension systems inspired by aviation practices.
These innovations allowed it to achieve higher speeds, greater efficiency, and smoother rides compared to conventional trains of the era.
Though the Aerotrain ultimately faced operational challenges and never saw widespread adoption, its bold fusion of aviation and rail technology remains an inspiring example of creative engineering that sought to redefine transportation boundaries.

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Conclusion

From pioneering flying cars and jet-powered speed machines to amphibious wonders and futuristic trains, airplane technology has profoundly influenced vehicles designed for roads, rails, and waterways.
These innovative creations demonstrate the boundless possibilities when aviation advances intersect with traditional transport methods, enhancing speed, efficiency, and versatility.
As we look toward the future, ongoing advancements in aerospace engineering, materials science, and propulsion systems promise even more groundbreaking innovations—reshaping urban mobility and redefining transportation as we know it.
The sky, it seems, is no longer the limit—it’s merely the beginning.
Embrace the future, and stay ready for the incredible vehicles yet to come.

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15 Vehicles That Used Airplane Technology (And Sometimes Took Off Too)

1. Aerocar

2. Terrafugia Transition

3. Gibbs Aquada

4. Bugatti Veyron

5. ThrustSSC

6. Chrysler Turbine Car

7. Moller Skycar

8. Curtiss-Wright Air-Car

9. Superbus

10. BMW i8

11. North American Eagle

12. ICON A5

13. PAL-V Liberty

14. Bell Nexus Air Taxi

15. Aerotrain

Conclusion

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