The future could be closer than ever after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted Special Airworthiness Certification to Alef, a startup developing a flying car.
Since the FAA is still ironing out the policies for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), particularly in regards to how they’ll navigate ground infrastructure, Alef’s flying car won’t have free rein. The company said its special approval comes with strict limitations on the locations and purposes for test flights.
The company emerged from stealth late last year and introduced the “Model A,” which it said can drive on roads and also vertically take off and land. At $300,000, the vehicle isn’t cheap, but Alef said it has already seen strong pre-order activity from both individuals and companies.
The all-electric “Model A” has a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles. The gimbaled cabin of the vehicle remains steady and stable during flight since it’s mounted to a rigid frame that allows it to pivot. The propellers are enclosed within the frame to enhance safety and cut down on noise.
Since the “Model A” is a flying car, it requires a few extra safety features than what is typically found in a passenger vehicle. The company said it has built-in multiple redundancies of all key components, comprehensive diagnostics, obstacle avoidance, glide landing, and a full-vehicle parachute.
Right now, the “Model A” is only designed to accommodate one to two passengers, but the company said it is developing a “Model Z” four-person sedan with increased range. As testing continues, Alef said it remains on track to deliver the first “Model A” vehicles by the fourth quarter of 2025. The “Model Z” will have to wait until 2035.