What It Takes to Build a Flying Car Company

Doroni Aerospace founder and CEO Doron Merdinger joins Chris Lustrino to discuss the realities of building a flying car company and why he believes electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles will become a major new category of transportation. Doron shares how a lifelong fascination with aviation and emerging drone technology inspired him to launch Doroni nearly a decade ago and pursue the vision of making personal flight accessible to everyday consumers. The conversation explores Doroni's progress toward commercialization, including FAA-certified prototype flights, evolving regulatory frameworks, production plans, and the company's growing preorder base. Doron explains how Doroni's vehicle is designed to fit inside a garage, charge similarly to an EV, and operate under the FAA's new sport aircraft regulations, potentially lowering barriers to personal flight. Chris and Doron also discuss infrastructure needs, manufacturing challenges, safety systems, funding requirements, battery technology, and what widespread adoption of flying cars might realistically look like over the next decade. The episode offers a candid look at one of the most ambitious sectors in transportation and the hurdles that remain before flying cars become part of everyday life.