Alef Aeronautics, a California automaker, said that its all-electric flying car Model A has obtained a special airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will begin flight tests on the road.
According to public information, Alef Aeronautics is a start-up company that has received support from companies such as SpaceX. According to the company, this is the first time the company has received relevant certification, and the Model A has already started accepting reservations, with a starting price of $300,000.
“This brings us closer to providing a greener, faster way to commute, potentially saving individuals and businesses hours of time each week,” said Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny. “That’s one small step for the aircraft industry, one giant leap for the automotive industry. “
Alef Aeronautics said that since flying cars are new and the FAA is constantly adjusting regulatory factors, the special airworthiness certificate issued limits the places and destinations where Model A can fly.
The company’s goal is to produce the first flying car with both road driving and vertical takeoff capabilities. The Model A is designed to fit into existing urban driving and parking infrastructure.
It is reported that Model A can take off vertically or horizontally, and can carry up to two people. Estimated cruising range is 200 miles (approximately 321 kilometers), and flight range is 110 miles (approximately 177 kilometers).
In January of this year, Alef Aeronautics announced that in the last three months of 2022, about 440 people paid deposits. Consumers can choose to pay a $150 deposit to stand in line, or pay $1,500 to enjoy priority shipping.
In December 2022, Duhovny said in an interview that consumers are expected to see their cars flying in the sky by 2025.
Alef isn’t the only flying car or air taxi company to have made a major regulatory breakthrough in recent days. Shares of air taxi company Joby Aviation soared 44% on Wednesday after the company also received a special airworthiness certificate from the FAA.
