production of the Alef Model A Ultralight. This vehicle developed by Alef Aeronautics will be presented first flying car Electric vehicle in the world that is allowed to operate on the road and can take off vertically without the need for a runway.
Its production represents a technological advance that could transform urban transport and offerings new alternatives in sustainable mobility.
Alef Aviationbased in Saint Matthewin the heart of Silicon Valleyhas been dedicated to developing innovative electric transportation solutions for more than a decade. Backed by pioneering technology investors such as: Tim DraperThe company evolved from its first prototype in 2016 to full test flights in 2018.
In 2023 it received the airworthiness certificate of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its model and consolidated its position as a benchmark in the industry.
The managing director, Jim Dukhovnyhighlighted the team’s efforts to meet the planned deadlines: “The production of the first flying car has started as planned. The team has worked hard to meet the schedule because we know that people are waiting. Finally we can start production.”
He Alef Model A Ultralight It stands out for its all-electric design and its ability to operate both on the road and in the air. It offers an autonomy of 354 kilometers in driving mode and 177 kilometers in flight.
The vehicle features a gimbaled cockpit, fully integrated engines and an Elevon system that allows it to take off and land vertically in conventional urban spaces.
Its safety features include distributed electric propulsion, redundancy in critical systems, advanced diagnostics, planned landing capability, ballistic parachute and obstacle avoidance systems. Furthermore, the Model A It is the only flying car that can park and drive within existing urban infrastructure without the need for airports or vertiports.
The production process of Model A It is handcrafted at Alef’s facilities in Silicon Valley. Each unit takes several months to assemble, combining robotic and industrial manufacturing with specialized manual labor.
The company subjects each component to rigorous testing and conducts extensive test flights of the entire vehicle to ensure high quality and safety standards. This approach allows for the refinement of manufacturing techniques before moving to large-scale automated production.
The first units of Model A They are delivered to a select group of pioneering customers who participate in real-world testing under strict supervision. These users receive specialized training, regulatory compliance advice, and ongoing maintenance support. The information collected in this first phase will be used to optimize the production process and prepare for delivery of the numerous pre-orders already registered.
The demand for Model A has exceeded the company’s expectations 3,500 advance reservations which represent a total value of 1 billion dollars.
The vehicle is available at the pre-sale price of $300,000. Alef Aeronautics also plans to develop future models such as: Model Za four-seat sedan planned for 2035 with an estimated price of $35,000Autonomy of 321 kilometers in flight and 643 kilometers on-road and autonomous flight capabilities.
The craftsmanship approach of Alef Aviation It allows perfecting each phase of assembly and lays the foundation for future automated manufacturing, making the transition to mass production with optimized and reliable processes.
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