0
0
USA, 6 July 2023: A California startup Alef Automotive has received a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its flying car prototype. The vehicle, dubbed the “Model A,” is the first fully electric vehicle that can both fly and travel on roads to receive US government approval.
The Model A is designed to be drivable on public roads and able to park like a normal car. It also has vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, meaning it can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The vehicle can carry one or two occupants and has a road range of 200 miles and a flying range of 110 miles.
The FAA’s certification allows Alef to continue testing the Model A for limited purposes, such as exhibition, research, and development. The company plans to sell the vehicle for USD 300,000 each and expects to begin deliveries by the end of 2025.
“We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA,” said Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Automotive. “It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week.”
Alef Automotive is not the only company working on flying cars. Several other startups are developing similar vehicles, but the Model A is the first to receive FAA certification.
The Model A’s certification is a significant milestone for the flying car industry. It shows that the FAA is open to the idea of flying cars and that these vehicles are becoming more viable. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed before flying cars become a reality.
One challenge is safety. Flying cars will need to be designed to be safe for both passengers and people on the ground. Another challenge is infrastructure. There will need to be designated flying car landing zones and regulations governing how these vehicles can operate in airspace.
Despite these challenges, the future of flying cars looks promising. The Model A’s certification is a major step forward, and it is likely that other flying car prototypes will receive FAA certification in the near future. As the technology continues to develop, flying cars could become a common sight in our skies.
