Back to the future? A new model of flying car has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA. This model, which can run on roads and fly in the air, pushes the limits of technology even further.
The future is fast approaching! The Alef Model A, a flying car developed by Alef Aeronautics, an American company specializing in automobiles and aeronautics, recently received a special certificate of airworthiness from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA. Named Armada Model Zero, the vehicle is a precursor to the Model A prototype that Alef Aeronautics unveiled in October 2022.
Since its founding in 2015, the company has been committed to creating the world’s first flying car. A major milestone has now been reached, as this vehicle is the first to be authorized for public demonstrations.
Several companies are currently working on fully electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The FAA indicated that Alef was “not the first aircraft of this type” to receive a special certificate of airworthiness. Nevertheless, Alef stressed that its vehicle is distinguished by its ability to operate both on the road and in the air, to look like a conventional car and to be parked in a standard parking space.
“We are delighted to receive this FAA certification. It brings us one step closer to a faster, greener means of transportation, saving individuals and businesses hours every week. It’s one small step for airplanes, one giant leap for cars”, said Alef CEO Jim Dukhovny.
A license to fly
According to the company’s press release, “the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively working on its policies for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), as well as interactions between eVTOLs and ground infrastructure. Alef’s special certificate of airworthiness therefore limits the locations and purposes for which Alef is authorized to fly.”
According to the company’s website, the flying car will be certified as a “low-speed vehicle”, meaning it will not be able to exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) on a paved road. However, approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still required before the Alef can be put on the road.
Development of the vehicle has been underway since 2015. Four friends, Constantine Kisly, Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov and Dukhovny, were inspired by the “Back to the Future” films, which predicted that flying cars would be available in the present day. So they decided to set up a company to develop these vehicles.
Car of the future
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary car. But beneath its latticework body lie eight rotors – four at the rear and four at the front, where the engine normally sits. This innovative vehicle runs exclusively on electricity, which means it produces zero emissions when in use. The Alef Model A can comfortably accommodate one or two occupants.
The Alef Model A has a flight range of 110 miles (177 km) and a driving range of 200 miles (322 km). The Alef Model A can fly in any direction and offers a panoramic view of over 180 degrees. Once airborne, the vehicle’s entire chassis pivots sideways through 90 degrees, transforming what were once the front and rear of the car into two wings located on either side of the cabin. This configuration enables maximum speed to be achieved.
Alef Aeronautics plans to start production and deliveries of its Model A at the end of 2025, priced at $300,000. The electric model can be pre-ordered on the Alef website for a token fee of $150.
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