FAA says Tesla's flying Roadster is not an aircraft

The US Federal Aviation Administration ruled Friday that Tesla's futuristic electric Roadster, equipped with thrusters allowing it to move through the air, cannot be classified as an aircraft. The regulator stated the vehicle does not meet its definition of an aircraft. The FAA responded briefly to AFP's inquiry about whether flight certification would be needed for the vehicle. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned Tesla must ensure the vehicle complies with federal motor vehicle safety regulations and that drivers follow local road rules, vowing to monitor the situation. Elon Musk unveiled the Roadster Thursday near Waco, Texas, in a sci-fi style demonstration showing the vehicle launching vertically and performing aerial stunts. Production is slated for 2028, though customers have waited nearly a decade with $50,000 deposits, and three versions are planned.