California-based Aviation firm Alef Aeronautics has been actively working on its first production flying car, Model A. If successful, it would also mark the world’s first-ever EV equipped with a new propulsion system that can travel by air.
We would learn more about this groundbreaking vehicle from the company’s Chief Executive Officer himself. Mr. Jim Dukhovny immigrated to North America following the Soviet Union’s fall and resided in the technology hub Palto Alto. He founded Alef Aeronautics in a coffee shop in the charter city way back in 2015 to build the world’s first flying vehicle, InsideEVs highlighted.
Since then, Pavel Markin, Dr. Constantine Kisly, and Oleg Petrov joined the company and continuously progressed towards its primary goal. Alef Aeronautics secured support from major investors, including Series C & D Tesla investor Tim Draper.
Model A
Alef Aeronautics’ Model A is an elegant flying EV with the appearance of a standard ground car.
Interestingly, CEO Dukhovny does not like many under-development flying cars as they do not achieve the “looks like a car” element.
Model A is still in the prototyping phase. Nonetheless, it has already made significant advancements to become the first-ever flying car the world would see.
Considering the company’s commitment to make the Model A look like a standard car, the design would be quite simple.
A center capsule holds the passenger seats, surrounded by a car-dimension-sized frame with some propellers. The propellers have a mesh-like material that effectively improves airflow and enables a car-like design.
“The two biggest constraints are the size and the weight. We are literally fighting for every pound.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny
Alef’s flying EV also offers VTOL technology. However, it will divert ninety degrees in flight mode, which would make it fly sideways. The team highly believes this method will facilitate better flying operation as it would be like a giant wing.
“The better and the bigger wings you have in our case, the more {range} you can get out of the same battery. The goal is distance; the goal is not to make the battery better.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny told InsideEVs
The company expects the Model A to enable a 110-mile range in flight mode.
Challenges
Considering the complexity of a flying car’s concept, it is unsurprising that Alef receives significant skepticism from the government’s legislative body and engineering and technological industry.
“What’s important right now is that we have the most important functionality: the full-size driving, the full-size takeoff, and the full-size flying, so we’ve got that functionality. But there’s still a way to go before we get there.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny
The Chief further noted that the current government standard requires the Model A to function as a low-speed vehicle on the ground.
“It’s {top speed is} 25 or 35 [mph], depending on jurisdiction.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny
Despite these challenges, the company continuously works harder to ensure the safety of the Model A.
“We want to make sure that it a) is safe and b) feels safe.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny
True enough, Alef recently gained the necessary permit from the FAA and NHTSA approval.
Alef secures FAA approval
Alef Aeronautics’ Model A officially received the crucial Special Airworthiness Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June.
This significant development pushed the Model A to become the first and sole drivable flying car on authorized flight sites and purposes in the United States.
“We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week. This is a one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.”
Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny
See Also:
- Alef flying car receives up to 2,500 pre-orders worth $750M
- Alef makes history as first flying car certified for flight
- Eve’s flying taxi completes wind tunnel test in Switzerland
- XPeng’s X2 Flying Car Takes its First International Flight in Dubai with 130kmph top speed
- Eve Air Mobility’s Electric Aircraft: Paving the way for sustainable aviation
Alef aims to produce the Model A for initial deliveries as early as 2025. CEO Dukhovny strongly emphasized that the team would build the flying car by hand in its Palo Alto facility.
The company has already received 2,500 reservations for the Model A, which may turn into $750 million in sales. Notably, the first-gen Model A will cost $300,000 MSRP.
