An American startup has proven the airborne car, which claims to be the world’s first flying car.
Alef Aeronautics released a video that introduced the prototype of the Zero Model, flying over a parked car on a California public road, the first real-world test of the design concept.
“This drive and flight test represents an important proof of the real world environment,” said Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics.
“We hope this will be a moment similar to the Wright Brothers’ Kitty Eagle video, proving to humans that new transport is possible.”
Most “flying car” startups use a similar design to a four-wheel drive drone, with external rotor blades distinguishing them from current road cars. Others use folded wings, which requires a lot of space to take off.
The Alef Model Zero has a more traditional automotive design that hides the rotor blades in the car’s chassis.
The startup says its 100% electric vehicles have a driving range of 320 kilometers and a flying range of about 160 kilometers.
Founded in 2015 – same year, Flying Cars envisioned in a 1989 science fiction movie Back to the future Part 2 – Alef Aeronautics hopes to eventually produce a “a vehicle that is affordable for most people, not only the rich.”
The company has received more than 3,300 reservations for its Type A A vehicle and is expected to enter production later this year.
Pucara Aero and MYC have reached a manufacturing agreement that meets these orders, a joint venture that produces aviation-grade parts for Airbus and Boeing.
Alef’s Model A starts at about $300,000 (£237,000), although the second flying car, known as the Z model, is expected to cost around $35,000.
“Aiming to drive on the street, take off vertically when needed, and fly over traffic, we are building solutions to modern traffic accident problems,” the company’s website notes.
“It fits in regular driving lanes and meets all traffic supervision conditions. Alef flies cars that are suitable for regular parking and are in regular sized garages.”
