A universal aerial platform (11, 41) supports lift elements (13, 14), thrusters (15), landing gear (21, 22) and a fuel supply (16) and has a coupling mechanism (17) external to the aerial platform for coupling to a terrain vehicle (20) so as to convert any suitably adapted terrain vehicle to a flying vehicle (10, 40). The terrain vehicle forms the cockpit of the flying vehicle. The terrain vehicle (20) includes flight controls that are automatically coupled to the airplane structure either wirelessly or by wires when the terrain vehicle is coupled thereto.