The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given the green light to the Armada Model Zero, a groundbreaking prototype of an electric car preparing to take the skies like a drone. Alef Aeronautics, a Californian enterprise, is behind this futuristic electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, which can transition from cruising the roads to soaring in the sky.
Sporting both wheels and rotors integrated within its very structure, the Armada Model Zero has been authorized to undergo public flight testing, marking a first in its aviation history. Alef Aeronautics takes pride in its achievement, stating that they have pioneered the “world’s first real flying car” acceptable for FAA-certified flights. This is because earlier models, while capable of flight, could not accommodate regular road and parking use.
Jim Dukhovny, the company’s CEO, stated, “This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.” The CEO expressed excitement for the FAA certification, which brings their cutting-edge vehicle one step closer to fostering a greener and more efficient commuting experience.
Dubbed the Armada Model Zero, this revolutionary vehicle is a precursor to the future commercial model. An earlier Model A prototype was revealed to the world by Alef Aeronautics in October 2022. The vehicle conceals eight rotors beneath its mesh exterior, which permit the vehicle to launch and land vertically, similar to a drone, eliminating the need for long runways.
The passenger cabin, capable of accommodating two occupants, is ingeniously set on a gimbal within the robust carbon fiber frame. Once it takes off, the vehicle readily rotates by 90 degrees, transforming the front and back of the car into wings, which facilitate faster aerial travel. Cleverly, the cabin also pivots on its axis to keep it facing forward during flight.
Alef Aeronautics asserts that the forthcoming Model A vehicle is designed for a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles. However, being a “low-speed vehicle,” it can only peak speeds at about 25 miles per hour on the ground. It will require the approval of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for public road testing.
The Californian company expects its Model A to roll out of production lines and onto delivery trucks by the close of 2025, with a hefty price tag of $300,000 as per preorders.
The sizable cost of the Alef Model A may be a deterrent for certain potential consumers. Alef’s head pointed out that the company is currently centered on crafting a limited number of high-priced units. However, they aim to initiate mass production of the more affordable Model Z by 2035, with an expected price tag of just $35,000.
The proposed Model Z will be a larger vehicle, having room for four to six passengers and boasting greater autonomy. According to Dukhovny, it’s designed to cover distances up to 300 miles on the ground and 200 miles in the air, with the potential to extend to 500 miles in-flight when powered by hydrogen. Dukhovny also anticipates these vehicles can take off and land from virtually any location, barring any prohibited (“blacklisted”) areas.
Interestingly, the race for the first public-use approved flying car is certainly heating up, with Volkswagen’s prototype Flying Tiger and Klein Vision’s AirCar, the latter earning an airworthiness certificate in Slovakia last year, among others.
As predicted by the president of Hyundai Motor Europe, Michael Cole, we may see flying cars navigating our city skylines as early as 2030.
