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Can the New Tesla Roadster Really Fly?

Tesla has shown the new Roadster. One demo car stopped almost upside down at the top of an overhanging ramp and turned over in midair on a second run, another jumped over five vehicles. How does that work? Two tricks: fans that suck the air out from under the car, and thrusters that blast compressed air from tanks. We do the math on why a flight like that only lasts seconds, and compare what Tesla promised in 2017 with what it says now.

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Sources

51 claims, 42 sources. Research as of October 17, 2026.

How we check

This page lists every factual claim from the video, with the sources it rests on. Every claim in the video is backed by these sources. We saved each page when we read it. The archived copies on the Internet Archive show what the page said at that time, even if it changes later.

Not everything is equally well backed. We say so openly in the video, and here it's marked on every claim:

Confirmed
At least two independent, reputable sources say the same thing.
Single source
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Found a mistake? Tell us in the comments under the video or at hi@kadeemy.com. We pin corrections to the top there.

Intro 0:00The ramp

0:03 Confirmed

“A giant ramp curves upward until it's vertical, and then way past that. A white sports car climbs it and stops at the top, almost upside down.”

  1. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla Just Revealed The Roadster With A Truly Insane DemoInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

0:15 Confirmed

“On a second run, it breaks away at the top, turns over in midair back onto its wheels, and sinks to the ground on hissing thrusters.”

  1. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla Just Revealed The Roadster With A Truly Insane DemoInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla's redesigned Roadster has a cold-gas thruster option, but you'll need $250,000 just to reserve itEngadget, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

0:24 Confirmed also at 8:04

“Later, a Roadster jumps sideways over five Tesla vehicles parked side by side, with a semi truck in the middle, and rolls all the way over on the way across.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

0:37 Confirmed

“This is the new Tesla Roadster, unveiled on the evening of October fifteenth at a SpaceX test site …”

  1. Tesla sets Roadster event for Thursday after nearly 9 years of delaysElectrek, published Oct 13, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla unveils long-delayed Roadster developed with SpaceX, fueling merger speculationCNBC, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

0:43 Confirmed

“… near Waco, Texas …”

  1. Tesla unveils long-delayed Roadster developed with SpaceX, fueling merger speculationCNBC, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

1:08 Confirmed

“Tesla showed off two very different tricks. One presses the car onto the road, with fans that suck the air out from underneath.”

  1. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The incredible flying Tesla Roadster is just for showThe Verge, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

1:16 Confirmed

“That's an old idea from racing, and it runs on electricity from the battery.”

  1. Tesla turns to 50-year-old stunt technology as it tries to Roadster againArs Technica, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Chaparral 2JPermian Basin Petroleum Museum, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

1:21 Confirmed also at 11:11

“The other lifts the car up, with compressed air from tanks, a bit like a small rocket. That supply only lasts a few seconds.”

  1. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

Chapter 1 1:46What we actually saw

1:55 Confirmed also at 2:09, 11:08

“There was no human inside the car. When Tesla opened the door afterward, Starman was behind the wheel, a dummy in a spacesuit …”

  1. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

2:17 Confirmed

“Then came a sprint. From zero to sixty miles per hour, so highway speed, in zero point eight one seconds. Tesla measured that itself, with its own timing at the show. And the thrusters were already firing before the car started rolling.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla Roadster: Elon Musk zeigt neuen Sportwagen mit Raketendüsen (German: Elon Musk shows new sports car with rocket thrusters; dpa)WirtschaftsWoche / dpa, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla unveils long-delayed Roadster developed with SpaceX, fueling merger speculationCNBC, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

2:42 Confirmed

“After the show, Tesla presented three versions. The base version is called Performance and has the suction system. The second one is called Thrust and also gets thrusters at the rear for the sprint. Only the third, Rocket, has thrusters all around and can take off.”

  1. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla unveils Cyberfied new Roadster that can kickflipElectrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

3:00 Confirmed also at 10:27

“It has a single seat, and it's invite only. It's not approved for public roads.”

  1. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

Chapter 2 3:07Upside down on the ramp

4:31 Confirmed

“At the show, the car sat there for a good ten seconds, perfectly still, up on the ramp and almost upside down.”

  1. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  2. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

5:11 Confirmed

“Its two fans generate more than two tons of downforce, according to the maker, even standing still. In 2025, it hung upside down on a rotating platform without falling off.”

  1. Upside down drivingMcMurtry Automotive, published Apr 11, 2025, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. McMurtry Spéirling fan car claims Goodwood FoS hillclimb recordevo, published Jun 26, 2022, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. How the McMurtry Spéirling drove upside downThe Next Web, published Apr 14, 2025, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

Chapter 3 5:30Flying on compressed air

5:36 Confirmed also at 7:25

“For that, the Rocket version has pressure tanks that hold about a hundred sixty gallons combined. According to Tesla, they contain about five hundred fifty pounds of air. It rushes out through ten thrusters spread all around the car.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

5:52 Confirmed

“Do the math, and a single gallon of what's in those tanks weighs about three and a half pounds. Air only gets that dense under enormous pressure, several hundred times normal air pressure.”

  1. Isothermal Properties for Nitrogen, 293.15 KNIST Chemistry WebBook, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

6:30 Confirmed also at 6:41

“According to the car press, there's also one at each of the four corners, plus two more up front.”

  1. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla Roadster Re-Reveal Promises New Design, Flight, Production In 2028Jalopnik, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  4. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. Tesla's redesigned Roadster has a cold-gas thruster option, but you'll need $250,000 just to reserve itEngadget, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

7:16 Confirmed also at 7:08

“The compressed air leaves thrusters like these at about seven hundred meters per second. Hovering then uses around sixty pounds of air every second.”

  1. State-of-the-Art of Small Spacecraft Technology: In-Space PropulsionNASA, published 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

7:37 Confirmed

“Tesla itself only talks about seconds, too: Even the tank in the Thrust version, about fifty gallons, lasts only a few seconds of push to the rear, according to Tesla. Refilling currently takes hours, with a high-pressure system from outside. The goal is half an hour.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

7:55 Confirmed

“According to the CEO, the car will eventually refill its own air tank. How it would do that, and how long it would take, Tesla hasn't said.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster's Thrusters Last Seconds. Refilling Takes HoursInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Roadster Event (livestream recording)Tesla, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

Chapter 4 8:21The sprint

8:45 Confirmed

“Zero point eight one seconds to sixty means you get pressed into your seat with a little over three g on average. That's three times your own body weight.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Are Tesla’s claims for its new ‘flying’ Roadster real, or is it just full of cold gas?Electrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

Chapter 5 8:57Promised vs. now

9:03 Confirmed

“Tesla first showed the Roadster back in 2017. Back then, the promise was zero to sixty in one point nine seconds, more than six hundred miles of range on a single charge, a base price of two hundred thousand dollars, and deliveries starting in 2020.”

  1. Tesla next-generation RoadsterElectrek, published Nov 17, 2017, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla unveils the new RoadsterTechCrunch, published Nov 16, 2017, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

9:21 Confirmed

“Lots of people put down fifty thousand dollars back then, and for the Founders Series, a full two hundred fifty thousand. Delivered so far: not a single one.”

  1. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla unveils long-delayed Roadster developed with SpaceX, fueling merger speculationCNBC, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla turns to 50-year-old stunt technology as it tries to Roadster againArs Technica, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

9:38 Confirmed

“The 2017 prototype had four seats. The new Roadster has two, and the flying version only one.”

  1. Tesla unveils the new RoadsterTechCrunch, published Nov 16, 2017, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla next-generation RoadsterElectrek, published Nov 17, 2017, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla Roadster Re-Reveal Promises New Design, Flight, Production In 2028Jalopnik, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  4. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  6. Tesla unveils Cyberfied new Roadster that can kickflipElectrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  7. Roadster – Electric Sports CarTesla, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

9:48 Confirmed also at 9:34, 9:45

“Tesla says the design has changed a lot since 2017.”

  1. Tesla unveils Cyberfied new Roadster that can kickflipElectrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla Roadster Re-Reveal Promises New Design, Flight, Production In 2028Jalopnik, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  3. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla turns to 50-year-old stunt technology as it tries to Roadster againArs Technica, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

10:00 Confirmed

“Now the word is: production starting in 2028. For range, Tesla now says a little over three hundred miles per charge, about half of the old promise. Tesla hasn't named a price.”

  1. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla unveils Cyberfied new Roadster that can kickflipElectrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. Tesla unveils long-delayed Roadster developed with SpaceX, fueling merger speculationCNBC, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

10:14 Confirmed also at 10:24

“You can't order it yet, you can only reserve one. For the base version, Tesla asks fifty thousand dollars for that …”

  1. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. Tesla Flips The Roadster Upside Down In Crazy Flying DemoMotor1, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. Tesla unveils Cyberfied new Roadster that can kickflipElectrek, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  4. Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster that flies and falls with styleTechCrunch, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  5. Tesla Just Revealed The Roadster With A Truly Insane DemoInsideEVs, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026

10:32 Confirmed also at 10:50

“Cars that lift off face real hurdles on the road, and in the air, the rules aren't even clear yet.”

  1. Tesla unveils Roadster that can flip in the air and land using thrusters (Reuters)CBC News / Reuters, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  2. The Tesla Roadster flew, drove upside down, and hit 60mph in under a secondThe Verge, published Oct 15, 2026, retrieved Oct 16, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 16, 2026
  3. FAA: Musk’s flying car not our responsibilityPolitico (Oriana Pawlyk, Sam Ogozalek), via Yahoo News, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  4. Tesla is taking $250,000 deposits for a Roadster with SpaceX thrusters. The FAA says it isn’t an aircraftFortune, published Oct 17, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

10:38 Confirmed

“The FAA told reporters this car doesn't meet its definition of an aircraft …”

  1. FAA: Musk’s flying car not our responsibilityPolitico (Oriana Pawlyk, Sam Ogozalek), via Yahoo News, published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  2. We asked the DOT who would oversee a flying car like Tesla's Roadster. The answer isn't readily clear.CBS News (Kris Van Cleave), published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  3. Tesla is taking $250,000 deposits for a Roadster with SpaceX thrusters. The FAA says it isn’t an aircraftFortune, published Oct 17, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

10:43 Confirmed

“… and a senior Transportation Department official said there's no clear answer on who decides whether it's safe.”

  1. We asked the DOT who would oversee a flying car like Tesla's Roadster. The answer isn't readily clear.CBS News (Kris Van Cleave), published Oct 16, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026
  2. Tesla is taking $250,000 deposits for a Roadster with SpaceX thrusters. The FAA says it isn’t an aircraftFortune, published Oct 17, 2026, retrieved Oct 17, 2026. Archived copy from Oct 17, 2026

Chapter 6 10:56So, can it fly?