would Floridians actually ride in one?

The Poll and Its Results

A recent reader poll posed a question that might once have seemed purely science fiction: "Would you ever get into, let alone drive, a flying car?" The results, published by the Herald-Tribune and TCPalm, were surprisingly close. Fifty-six percent of respondents said no, citing that roads are dangerous enough, while 44 percent said yes, referencing George Jetson.

The articles that framed the poll opened with a vivid scene: driving along I-4 between Orlando and Tampa while cars whizz by overhead and the highway below sits nearly empty. Whether inspired by Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, or George Jetson, the poll tapped into a long-held fascination with the idea of personal air travel.

Reader Perspectives: Skepticism and Enthusiasm

Among those who said no, concerns ranged from safety to practicality. Ann Hunter of Crawfordville said she is open to flying cars but won't jump on board right away. She stressed the need for dedicated regulations, weather satellite screens, and a traffic control system. "Otherwise," she wrote, "it is a catastrophe waiting to happen!" She also pointed to hazards such as power lines, antenna towers, guidewires, and other low-flying aircraft like helicopters and private planes, and questioned why there is such a rush to implement new technologies without proper testing, training, and guidelines.

A.J. Maughn of Palm Bay was more blunt, describing the plan to add a third dimension to driving as problematic. He suggested that if 18 million Florida drivers suddenly became pilots, the state would resemble a Michael Bay movie filmed during hurricane season.

Neil Miserendino of Palm Bay doubted the viability on economic and legal grounds, arguing that the cost of energy would make flying cars impracticable and that airways would likely be restricted by law or court cases.

Yet a substantial minority embraced the idea. Milly Krause of Cape Canaveral expressed excitement about both flying in and driving a flying car, adding that what she really wants is to use jetpacks. "Cheers to moving into the future," she wrote.

Dennis Straub of Palm Bay said "absolutely," believing that fewer people would be in the air and that a special license should be required. He noted he knew years ago we would be like George Jetson. Misty Straub, also of Palm Bay, agreed, adding that mandatory special licensing was essential and that not everyone would be able to afford a flying car.

Some respondents took a more measured approach. Bob Estes of Satellite Beach said he'd want to give flying cars a year or two before trying them. Brian Turner of Palm Bay called flying cars the future but said he's not interested in driving one; still, he thought taking a flying taxi could be perfectly safe, albeit a bit expensive. Tom Walden of Rockledge said yes, provided the vehicles have automatic anti-avoidance radar systems for "ignorant pilots."

Kim Keller of Rockledge, a certificated pilot, said she has no fear of operating in a properly regulated airspace and believes everyone flying should meet regulatory requirements regardless of vehicle weight.

Randy Lascody of Melbourne said he isn't worried about flying cars. He noted that Waymo autonomous cars operate in a small area in downtown Orlando, but that's a far cry from flying cars. Mac Cunningham of Bartow, who has ridden motorcycles in Florida for decades, said he's still alive, and that flying at low altitude has fewer people competing for air space.

A sense of lifelong anticipation also came through. Mary Palermo of Venice loved The Jetsons and thought flying cars would be like that when she became an adult. Marie Muller of Cocoa said she always wanted to live to see flying cars and can't wait to drive, or fly, one.

One Reader's Case for the Future

Among the comments, Jack Kennedy stood out with a detailed argument in favor of embracing flying car technology. Kennedy wrote that the technology for advanced air mobility and autonomous transportation has matured for over a decade, and federal regulations are beginning to catch up.

He pointed to rules established by the Federal Aviation Administration for powered-lift aircraft, pilot certification, commercial operations, and integration into the National Airspace System. He also noted that the FAA is already pursuing advanced-air-mobility integration, including real-world eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) testing and a pathway toward broader operations.

Kennedy predicted that by late 2027 the country could reach a transportation watershed, with eVTOL aircraft and autonomous automobiles moving toward meaningful public use. He drew a historical parallel, noting that Charles Lindbergh had been a barnstormer only a few years before his historic solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927, and by 1939 regularly scheduled transatlantic passenger service had begun.

He also referenced NASA's explicit pursuit of a Moon Base near the lunar South Pole as part of establishing an enduring human presence on the Moon, and quoted Bob Dylan: "The Times They Are a-Changin'."

The two articles covering this story—from the Herald-Tribune and TCPalm—presented the same poll and the same reader comments without editorializing, letting the readers' words speak for themselves. The takeaway from the poll and the comments is that while a majority of Floridians are not ready to take to the skies, the margin is narrow, and the debate is far from settled.