A groundbreaking flying vehicle, inspired by Marty McFly from Back to the Future, has been granted special airworthiness certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This certification brings us closer to a future where cars can soar through the skies. Alef Aeronautics, a California startup, has received testing certification for their innovative vehicle/aircraft called the “Model A.” This makes it the first fully electric vehicle capable of both driving and flying to receive approval from the U.S. government.
What sets the Model A apart is its ability to function as both a flying vehicle and a car that can navigate city streets and park in regular car stalls. It has now been approved for test runs on land and in the sky, marking a significant milestone in transportation innovation. Jim Dukhovny, the CEO of Alef, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars,” in a press release.
The inspiration for the Model A came in 2015, the same year Marty McFly traveled to the “future” in the Back to the Future movie franchise. Dukhovny and his friends, Konstantin Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov, conceptualized the initial design on a napkin during a café meetup. Just a year later, they built the first sub-scale prototype, and by 2018, the first full-size “skeleton” of the design was ready for takeoff.
The Model A is equipped with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, similar to a drone, eliminating the need for a runway. It has a capacity of carrying one or two passengers. As an aircraft, it can fly approximately 177 kilometers at a time, while as a vehicle, it can travel around 320 kilometers. Alef classifies the vehicle as a “low-speed vehicle,” ensuring it adheres to legal speed limits in most U.S. states.
While there are limitations on where the Model A can fly due to the current special certification, the FAA is actively working on developing policies specifically for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. It’s important to note that the vehicle is still in the development phase. Alef has been conducting test drives and flights with a full-size prototype since 2019.
Alef aims to provide a solution to modern congestion with their vehicle that can drive on streets, take off vertically when needed, and fly above traffic. They promise faster and easier commutes, thanks to their proprietary technology that elevates the vehicle without requiring a runway.
For those interested, Alef is accepting pre-orders for the Model A. To enter the general queue, the pre-order price is US$150 (C$198), while the priority queue requires a pre-order price of US$1,500 (C$1,980). The expected price of the Model A is US$299,999 (C$396,561). Dukhovny shared that the company aims to start delivering these vehicles by the end of 2025.
Overall, this revolutionary flying vehicle brings us closer to a future where transportation is not limited to the ground. With its innovative features and potential for transforming daily commutes, the Model A represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the automotive industry.
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