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California Firm Starts Building First Customer-Bound Flying Cars

Alef Aeronautics’ Model A Ultralight is billed as a ‘drive-and-fly’ vehicle fit for the roads and skies.

Alef Aeronautics flying car engineers
Alef begins production of the Model A Ultralight, which it said will be the first flying car to be delivered to customers. [Credit: Alef Aeronautics]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Alef Aeronautics has begun production of its Model A Ultralight, a "drive-and-fly" vehicle, aiming to be the first true flying car delivered to customers for testing.
  • This initial production run is for select early customers to conduct real-world testing under controlled conditions, gathering data to optimize manufacturing for the larger, flagship Model A.
  • The Model A Ultralight features VTOL capability with a transforming design and is pursuing FAA Part 103 qualification, while Alef also conducts extensive flight testing with its Model Zero prototype.
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California manufacturer Alef Aeronautics said Tuesday that it began production on its Model A Ultralight—a “drive-and-fly” vehicle that it believes will be the first true “flying car” to be delivered to a customer.

Alef said the vehicle, which is designed to lift off directly from roads and allow its occupants to soar over traffic, will take “several months” to build. It will be delivered to “only a few early customers, for the purpose of testing flying cars in the real-world environment, under very controlled conditions,” Alef said. Customers will be selected from a queue of investors with the “highest deposit and priority,” the company told FLYING.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.

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