In the futuristic 1960s animated sitcom "The Jetsons," George Jetson zipped his family around in a flying car with a transparent bubble top. While just one aspect of the advanced technology imagined in the popular show, the Aerocar proved to be an inspiration to engineers and designers to make it a reality.
Many iterations have been tried over the years, and Boeing and Airbus are said to be working on flying car models, but Alef Aeronautics is making history after receiving a Special Airworthiness Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration for its "Model A" vehicle.
According to a statement from the company, the approval marks "the first time a vehicle of this nature has received legal approval to fly from the US Government."
While the locations and purposes for use are still limited, and it will need to meet safety standards from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, the company can legally test-run the vehicle on the road and in the sky, which is necessary before the fully electric flying car can hit the market.
The FAA is actively working on its policies for electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, as well as governing interactions between eVTOLs and ground infrastructure. Alef's Special Airworthiness Certificate therefore limits the locations and purpose for which Alef is permitted to fly.
Alef emerged from stealth in October 2022 with the unveil of its full-sized sports car model along with two working full-size technology demonstrator cars. It has since received strong pre-orders from both individuals and companies. Alef's flying car is 100% electric, drivable on public roads and has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. The car will carry one or two occupants. (PRNewswire)
The fully electric car, which can fit into normal-sized garages, can drive up to 200 miles on public roads and launch vertically into the air with a range of about 110 miles, perfect for flying "above the obstacles until a desired destination is reached."
Recommended
The Alef Flying Car, the first #flyingcar in history to receive a limited license in the #USA , is now available for purchase at $300,000.
— George Marshall (@MrGeorgeCrypto) July 3, 2023
It has a ground range of 322 km and an air range of 177 km. Pre-orders are already available, and it will be possible to take it for a spin… pic.twitter.com/ZLtEO1z4wx
The company is taking fully refundable preorders, with the traditional model coming in at an expected $299,000. It will also offer a pricier hydrogen option.
"The historical significance of this cannot be overstated," Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, told USA TODAY. "While there have been pioneers like Terrafugia, Paul Moller, and Henry Ford, this is the first time a vehicle, in the traditional sense (parks and drives like a car, functions like a car, looks like a car), has received permission to fly. It's also important that Alef is the first electric car which received permission to fly. And, last but not least, the ability for vertical takeoff is central to most people's conception of a 'flying car.'"
