Alef Aeronautics’ Flying Car Design Awarded FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate

The startup’s OK to fly under experimental status will enable flight testing of its car-eVTOL hybrid, the Model A.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 02:53 PM ET

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A digital rendering of Alef’s Model A transitioning from hover to forward flight. [Courtesy: Alef Aeronautics]

Key Takeaways:

Alef Aeronautics' Model A, a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flying car, received experimental flight approval from the FAA, becoming the first "true" flying car design with U.S. government legal sign-off to fly.
The Model A is designed for both road driving and urban flights, expected to go on sale for $300,000 by 2025, and has already accumulated over 440 preorders.
Despite this regulatory milestone, Alef faces significant challenges in mass production, achieving full safety certifications for both automotive and aviation standards, and integrating into urban air traffic, potentially impacting its ambitious 2025 launch target.

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An electric flying car design, capable of driving on roads like an automobile or taking off and flying like a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, just received the all clear to fly under experimental status from the FAA, a step on the path towards type certification.

A precursor to Alef Aeronautics’ Model A—in development since 2015 and expected to go on sale for $300,000 by 2025—was awarded an experimental category special airworthiness certificate, becoming the first “true” flying car design with the legal signoff to fly from the U.S. government, according to the company.