You can now pre-order a real flying car!

A real flying car in the making

If you've ever watched the Back to the Future movies you'll know that Marty McFly travels to the 'future' of October 2015, which is exactly when the founders of Alef Aeronautics made the decision to build a real flying car.

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Flying cars have long been the stuff of science fiction, but they may soon become commonplace. California-based startup Alef Aeronautics recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, the Model A. The company has also announced that it has received over $250 million in preorders for the flying car.

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From napkin sketch to reality

The first rough sketch of this flying car was drawn on a napkin at a cafe (in 2016) where the four friends met who would bring this idea to life. But there were constraints: It had to be a fully functional flying car that would be (relatively) affordable, able to drive in lanes, fit into parking spaces, and take off vertically, so no special infrastructure would be required. It would also have to look sensational, and to attain that special-car status, the team recruited Hirash Razaghi, well-known automotive designer who has penned stunning designs for major brands such as Bugatti and Jaguar (note the F-Type inspired slanted headlamps!).

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Model A gets the green light for further testing

Fast forward to 2022 and the finished product, the Model A, is almost ready to take to the road and skies, after the US government (more specifically, the FAA or Federation Aviation Administration) has given the go-ahead for the model A to operate in US airspace, but limitations are strict - this government-granted special airworthiness certification doesn't give them the right to just drive or fly anywhere they please, but allows for plenty more research and demonstration flights in order to overcome the challenges of regulating flying cars.

 

 

Strict safety requirements

After all, the Model A has to meet a total of 132 safety requirements of the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration as well. It's also not the first time that a vehicle has been awarded the above-mentioned certification - according to the FAA, this has previously been granted to other similar projects. However, optimistic Model A customers have already started putting down deposits and there are currently around 800 preorders for this flying car (with a retail price of +/- R3,6 million each) on Alef's books. (Most of the reservations came from individuals, though Alef also confirmed a fleet preorder from an aviation company in Hong Kong.)

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Model A specifications

Featuring propellers for the vertical take-off and landing manoeuvres, as well as fully autonomous flying capabilities, the Model A is expected to have a range of 322 km at ground level, while its battery back will allow a flying range of up to around 177 km. The Model A is able to carry only one or two occupants and deliveries should start in the fourth quarter of 2025, if everything goes according to plan.

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The future of eVTOLs

As we've mentioned, Alef's Model A is classified as an eVTOL, but there are many many more eVTOLs waiting in the wings for approval. Experts reckon the quickest way to get eVTOLS in the sky is to get them certified for personal use, where you can land in your own back yard or anywhere safe as long as you have permission from the owner of the property.

Alef Aeronautics are also also working on a more expensive hydrogen version, (the Model Z) which will have a longer drive and flight range.

Watch this video on YouTube where ALEF Aeronautics' CEO, Jim Dukhovny, explains how it all works, especially if you have a tendency to get motion sickness.