Alef Flying Car: the World’s first Real Flying Car

We’re approaching the age of flying cars and the day they’re launched into the air is closer than ever. Model A by Alef Aeronatics might be the first real flying cars you’ll see cruising overhead. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate for Alef’s “Model A,” making the release of the car one step closer to reality. 

Founded in 2015 in California, USA, Alef Aeronautics began developing cars in 2015, and emerged from the stealth mode in 2022 with the help of Tim Draper’s generous $3 million investment. The company is among several startups striving to make flying cars a reality, alongside companies like Joby Aviation and Lilium. However, its unique car-like design sets it apart in the emerging eVTOL market.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the car’s design, fully detailed specifications, pre-orders, price, and estimated delivery, and of course the tests flights. We’ll also be discussing the differences between models A and Z. Without further ado, let’s dive into exploring the Alef flying car concept and design.

Alef flying car design

Alef flying car (Model A) is a two-seater eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle that is the first true flying car because it functions as a regular car on the road and can take off vertically.

The pilot of the flying car can safely avoid traffic congestion whenever the car gets stuck in traffic. The car takes off vertically and lands in the designated landing pods or roads. Alef flying car has 8 propellers inside the body of the flying car, and with its proprietary technology you won’t need runways to take off. 

It uses four small engines for driving and eight propellers for flight that achieves a cruise speed of 110 mph in the air and 25-35 mph on the road. And the vehicle only weighs 850 pounds (350 kg) and qualifies as an ultralight vehicle.

The bottom of the vehicle is completely open, and both models A and Z have an open mesh top to protect the passengers from the propellers. What makes model Z different from A, however, is that it is a four-seater.

So how does Alef flying car work? With its unique design, the body of Alef flying car can be rotated vertically and perpendicularly to the cockpit. That is, one side of the car becomes the top wing and the opposite side acts as the bottom wing. This way Alef flying car is transformed into a box-wing biplane.

The size of the car allows you to park it in a standard parking space and garage. As for the safety, Alef flying car has an emergency ballistic parachute. In case of a mid-air collision with another flying car, the pilot will be safely catapulted into the air. 

Alef flying car full specifications

Alef flying car air speed is 110 mph. Model A  is designed for two people and only weighs 850 pounds. You can drive it on the road with a cruise speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). It is not the fastest car out there, but for short daily commutes the speed of this flying car is just sufficient. Also, the flying car has 8 propellers and 8 electric motors that help the vehicle to takeoff. On the ground, flying car Alef can travel up to 200 miles on the ground. Below you can see more specifications. 

On the flip side, Model Z’s cruise speed is still unknown. What we do know is that it is a four-seater. Its range in the air is expected to be 300 miles, but the release date is unknown at the time.

Model A specifications

• Piloting: 1 pilot (+ autonomous piloting)
• Aircraft type: Road driveable eVTOL passenger concept design vehicle
• Capacity: 2 people
• Model weight: 850 pounds
• Cruise speed (air): 110 mph
• Cruise speed (road): 25 mph (40 km/h)
• Range (air): 110 miles (117 km)
• Range (road): 200 miles (322 km)
• Maximum payload: 200 lb (91 kg)
• Propellers: 8 propellers
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: A rotating cockpit with windows for forward, left, right, rear, and top visibility.
• Landing gear: 4 automotive wheels
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) ensures safety through redundancy for passengers and cargo. DEP involves multiple propellers or ducted fans and motors on the aircraft, allowing it to land safely even if some fail. The aircraft also features redundancies in critical subsystems and components, detect-and-avoid technology, and an emergency ballistic parachute for the entire aircraft.

Model Z specifications

• Piloting: 1 pilot (+ autonomous piloting)
• Aircraft type: Road drivable eVTOL passenger vehicle concept design
• Capacity: 4 people
• Cruise speed (air): Unknown as of yet
• Cruise speed (road): Unknown as of yet
• Range (air): 300 miles (482 km)
• Propellers: 8 propellers
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: A rotating cockpit with windows for forward, left, right, rear, and top visibility.
• Landing gear: 4 automotive wheels
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) ensures safety through redundancy for passengers and cargo. DEP involves multiple propellers or ducted fans and motors on the aircraft, allowing it to land safely even if some fail. The aircraft also features redundancies in critical subsystems and components, detect-and-avoid technology, and an emergency ballistic parachute for the entire aircraft.

Pre-orders, price and estimated delivery

Despite the high number of preorders (2,850+),the CEO of Alef Aeoronautics, Jeo Dukhovny acknowledges that Alef will initially produce vehicles slowly. The company received a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for limited purposes but needs further approval for consumer flights. Alef aims to launch its flying car by the end of 2025, if they secure enough funding and favorable regulatory conditions.

Model A

Alef Aeronautics, based in San Mateo, California, has set a new preorder record with 2,850 reservations for its two-seater flying car. The Alef flying car pre order price is $300,000 and these pre orders represent a potential revenue of over $850 million. Backed by venture capitalist Tim Draper, Alef allows customers to preorder the Model A online with a $150 refundable deposit.  

Alef's Model A is unique among flying cars with a design that closely resembles a traditional car. What sets it apart is a mesh shell protecting eight internal rotors. This design makes it stand out among the other eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles that often look like drones or small airplanes.

Backed by venture capitalist Tim Draper, Alef allows customers to preorder the Model A online with a $150 refundable deposit. 

Model Z

Regarding the Model Z, ALEF Aeronautics plans to release a four-passenger version by 2030, priced at $35,000.00 USD. The company explained that the Model Z's simplicity contributes to its affordable price. No further information is available as of yet.

Alef flying car tests

Alef flying car test flights started in 2019 and these rigorous tests aim to validate several key technological aspects of Model A. The company started testing the mock-up after receiving certification after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

This certification allows Alef to legally test the Model A both on land and in the air, but with specific limitations on where and for what purposes the car can fly. Alef flying car are tested for proprietary elevation technology, electronic propulsion systems, and safety systems. Now, let’s briefly skim through test phases and milestones.

Early Prototypes and Sub-Scale Testing

2016: Just a year after the initial concept was sketched, Alef built the first sub-scale prototype. This early model was crucial for understanding the basic aerodynamic properties and ground handling characteristics.

Full-Size Prototype Development

2018: The team completed the first full-size "skeleton" of the Model A, which allowed for more comprehensive testing of both the structural integrity and the feasibility of the vehicle’s unique design features.

Ground and Flight Testing

019-Present: Alef has been test-driving and flying a full-size prototype of the Model A. These tests focus on ground handling, vertical takeoff and landing, assessing the car’s flights stability, control, and safety during various phases of flight, as well as its range and endurance in the air.

Goals and Future Testing

The ultimate goal of Alef's ongoing tests is to refine the Model A to meet both regulatory standards and practical user requirements. Future testing phases may include extended range tests, passenger trials, urban environment simulations.

Alef flying car reddit

Opinions on Reddit regarding Alef flying car are sharply divided as users express both skepticism and enthusiasm. Some users raise doubts about practicality of the flying car, citing challenges in designing vehicles that are airworthy and roadworthy simultaneously. "Even if this thing worked technically, the idea you can take an airworthy vehicle on the city streets and have it remain airworthy for any length of time is absurd," remarks one user. Alef flying car reddit forums reflect widespread concerns about regulatory hurdles and safety regulations. 

Technical limitations, particularly regarding battery technology and weight, are also highlighted as significant obstacles among Redditors. Criticism extends to specific prototypes and companies. Many users question the legitimacy of promotional material and express skepticism about company intentions. 

Other users advocate for alternative transportation solutions, such as maglev-based Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems, as more practical alternatives to flying cars. Despite the excitement surrounding the concept, ongoing debates on Reddit underscore the complex challenges and diverging opinions about the future of flying cars.

Closure

While the Alef flying car represents a leap forward in personal air transportation and may be the first real flying car to hit the skies, challenges remain before it becomes a reality. This task is really hard because there are rules to follow, problems to solve with the technology, and people who both like and dislike the idea, which makes it all really complicated. Despite these obstacles, Alef Aeronautics' dedication to innovation and rigorous testing positions it as a leader in the field.