A flying car arrives on the “roads” of the United States
There flying car has existed for several years. Although never truly mass-marketed, the first drafts of vehicles capable of flight date back to the beginning of the 20e century. Despite several attempts, no model has succeeded in revolutionizing individual mobility. This assertion may be a thing of the past, because a Californian automaker, Alef Aeronauticshas just obtained the necessary authorizations to carry out tests on the road and in the air of its flying electric car.
A first in American history
For the first time, the United States Civil Aviation Agency (FAA) has granted special airworthiness certification to an automobile manufacturer. This authorization allows Alef Aeronautics to test its flying vehicle on the road. Clearly, the FAA needs to revise a lot of its policies related to take-off and landing vehicles because, according to company CEO Jim Dukhovny, the organization has been taken aback. This must then limit the places where the machine can circulate.
In return, the company is delighted with this certification. The CEO adds that this permission is “a small step for planes, but a giant leap for cars”. Also according to Jim Dukhovny, this authorization will allow the company to move closer to an ecological and faster means of transport, allowing individuals and companies to save hours each week.
The Model A
Speaking of the machine, it is nicknamed the Model A (slightly inspired by Tesla). It displays a style and architecture that is closer to a drone than a traditional automobile; the Model A is electric and equipped with a series of 4 propellers located on each side of the vehicle. Driven by an electric motor powered by a battery of unknown power and size, the car is able to travel 322 kilometers on the road and 177 kilometers in the air according to the company. Model A can accommodate 1 or 2 occupants.
One of the impressive features of this machine is its ability to take off and land vertically. Being able to circulate horizontally on the road, the car is able to take off upright and then return flat once in the air. Alef also said his vehicle is different from other prototypes of its kind, as the Model A is capable of operating both on the roads and in the air. The company also clarifies that the car looks like a regular car and is able to park in a normal parking spot, two other major accolades.
FAA clearance will therefore allow Alef Aeronautics to continue the research and development of this unusual car. Obviously, several questions remain unanswered as to whether this flying car will actually be marketed one day; however, at the moment it is possible to pre-order the contraption worth $400,000 Canadian. The company adds that 400 refundable pre-orders have already been made and the vehicle is expected to take flight in 2025.
