Alef Aeronautics has revealed that its “Model A” electric-flying car gets FAA approval to fly in U.S. This makes it World’s First flying car to be granted legal permission in US to fly.
A big thing happened in transportation and aviation sector this June – flying car was granted permission to run on public roads and to fly in sky. Ever since, flying cars concept emerged, several companies have tested but only few got the approval to test run flying cars in sky, including this “Model A”.
An U.S. based automotive and aviation company, Alef Aeronautics revealed its flying car “Model A” was granted legal permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to test run the vehicle on public roads and in the sky. And there are only few steps ahead in bringing the flying car to public.
“The historical significance of this cannot be overstated,” one of the founders said.
Alef Aeronautics’ “Model A”
Founded in 2015 by Dukhovny, Konstantin Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov, ‘Alef Aeronautics’ has been involved in test-driving “Model A”’s prototype for four years, since 2019.
Model A is 100% electric, carrying one or two passengers and has a driving range of 200 miles (321km) and a flight range of 110 miles (177km). Coming with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities (VTOL), Model A is apparently the first car that looks like a normal car running on roads in traditional sense (parks and drives like a car, functions like car, looks like a car), but with govt-approved flying capabilities.
The flying car will be a Low-Speed Vehicle, which means it won’t go faster than about 25mph (40kmph) on roads, but can fly at 62mph (100kmph) in the air. Alef Model A can switch from driving to flying mode in less than 3 minutes.
Body of the car seems to be a transformer, where it has retractable wings and folding tail that turns the car to a ‘flying car’. Styled in a sleek design, the car measures about 16 feet long, 6 feet wide and 5 feet high, weighing 550 pounds. It is equipped with advanced sensors for flight paths, and also has backup systems and parachutes in case of emergencies.
Alef Model A will sell for $300,000 (₹2.46 Crores) and the California-based firm has already started accepting preorders.
First Flying Car in World
Alef Model A grabs the title of first flying car in the world to receive US Govt permission to swift through air. Alef is the first company to get a Special Airworthiness Certification from FAA, the company said.
Under the Code of Federal Regulations, Alef is required to report any issues including malfunctions or defects to the U.S. government agency during “Model-A” development and testing.
The flying car will also need to meet National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration safety standards before taking off and its CEO Jim Dukhovny says the company is hopeful the certification will be their next step.
Alef Aeronautics welcomes pre-orders of the Alef Model A by paying a refundable $150 deposit to get on the waiting list. Or $1500 for a priority spot on the waiting list. The car will be available to public by 2025, says the firm.
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