End of Traffic Jams or a Pipe Dream? Orders for Flying Car Take Off

Model A: What is This Vehicle and What Can it Do?

When will the American flying car finally take to the air and the market? Development of the vehicle has spanned 10 years, with the goal of creating a fully functional—albeit not yet available—car. Alef Aeronautics is the company behind this new vehicle that both drives and flies.

In 2022, the automotive startup became a global sensation after unveiling its new prototype, the Model A. The vehicle has a declared range of 220 miles (354 kilometers) on the road and 110 miles (177 kilometers) in the air. It is capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The Model A is also road-legal, and company representatives emphasize that the invention is 100% electric.

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Prohibitive Price, But No Shortage of Buyers

Alef Aeronautics has already announced agreements to begin operations at two new airports in Silicon Valley: Half Moon Bay and Hollister Airport. It’s known that in the near future, the car will undergo intensive tests on land and in the air. The manufacturers want to see how it performs, especially in comparison to traditional air traffic.

Company employees state that they have signed agreements for two airports, which will become the bases for future vehicles of this type. To start, they will use the Model Zero Ultralight, but the company plans to expand its fleet with other versions of the Model Zero and the commercial Model A.

The starting price for the car is set at $300,000. However, this has not discouraged tech enthusiasts. The company has already collected 3,300 pre-orders for the model. To get on the priority list, a fee of $1,500 is required.

New Regulations Pave the Way for Market Launch

Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics, announced a significant change in U.S. aviation regulations on LinkedIn. The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification modifies the requirements for light-sport aircraft.

In his post, Dukhovny explains what this means for Alef’s flying cars:

• The Alef flying car can be classified as a light-sport aircraft (LSA), giving it capabilities similar to a Cessna.
• Alef can legally fly within the United States.
• With special permission, an Alef can fly over San Francisco.
• An Alef can fly with passengers and at night.

In light of the new regulations, Alef only needs an airworthiness certificate—one that the company has already obtained. This will save the company an estimated one billion dollars.

This Isn’t the First Flying Car

While the American company’s machine is currently making headlines, it’s not the first car in the world that drives and flies. The first prototype of this type of vehicle was created as early as 1917, and since then, several other concepts have emerged to combine flying with driving.

One of the industry’s bigger successes was the Aerocar model. Six units were produced in 1949. It was the first vehicle to successfully receive approval for both flight and driving. In recent years, the Slovakian AirCar has drawn attention, and it received its airworthiness certificate in 2022.

Polish version: Koniec korków czy mrzonka? Ruszyły zamówienia na latający samochód