Photo: ASKA
The Silicon Valley air mobility company developing a futuristic flying car has had a great year so far. Its most recent milestones include the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) green light for the ASKA A5 pre-production prototype.
The ASKA concept was first introduced in the Spring of 2021 as a four-seat flying car with electric propulsion, promising a 250-mile (400 km) range and a top speed of 150 mph (241 kph). At the beginning of 2022, those who attended CES in Las Vegas got the chance to admire a full-size model of the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) 's cockpit and dashboard, plus a sub-scale model.
The Silicon Valley startup has come a long way since then. Earlier this year, it unveiled the first full-scale working prototype of the ASKA flying car. It kicked off field and driving tests (on-street driving tests, in particular) and reached a certification milestone. Its pre-production prototype got a certificate of authorization (COA) and special airworthiness certification from the FAA. There's still a long way to go until the full type certification validation, but it's a huge step.
On the other hand, ASKA also scored an impressive number of pre-orders. Since 2021, when it launched reservations, the company has secured pre-orders worth over $50 million. The launch edition, presented as the Signature Model, came with a $789,000 price tag. According to ASKA, the second edition would cost less than $600,000 and eventually drop to $359,000 once the flying car could be mass-produced.
What makes ASKA so desirable? The size of an SUV, this vehicle is officially a drive-and-fly eVTOL, meaning that it can legally travel by road and air. The main advantage is that it can use existing infrastructure.
The pilot can literally drive through an airport gate, open the wings, taxi towards the runway (or helipad), and simply take off. Also, this futuristic-looking contraption fits in regular parking spots and can be charged at regular EV charging stations or even at home.
ASKA also comes with a range extender engine that can charge the batteries in flight. The engine runs on premium gasoline that can also be found at any gas station.
At the same time, it can take off like any eVTOL, from a dedicated vertiport or helipad.
ASKA features large aerodynamic wings that enable it to glide while also being optimized for a safe landing. It's equipped with six independent motors and a ballistic parachute for safety. The standard configuration includes one pilot seat and three passenger seats.
The next step in terms of certification is the G-1 basis, one step closer to the FAA type-certification. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2026 – plenty of time left to reach higher pre-order numbers.
The Silicon Valley startup has come a long way since then. Earlier this year, it unveiled the first full-scale working prototype of the ASKA flying car. It kicked off field and driving tests (on-street driving tests, in particular) and reached a certification milestone. Its pre-production prototype got a certificate of authorization (COA) and special airworthiness certification from the FAA. There's still a long way to go until the full type certification validation, but it's a huge step.
On the other hand, ASKA also scored an impressive number of pre-orders. Since 2021, when it launched reservations, the company has secured pre-orders worth over $50 million. The launch edition, presented as the Signature Model, came with a $789,000 price tag. According to ASKA, the second edition would cost less than $600,000 and eventually drop to $359,000 once the flying car could be mass-produced.
What makes ASKA so desirable? The size of an SUV, this vehicle is officially a drive-and-fly eVTOL, meaning that it can legally travel by road and air. The main advantage is that it can use existing infrastructure.
The pilot can literally drive through an airport gate, open the wings, taxi towards the runway (or helipad), and simply take off. Also, this futuristic-looking contraption fits in regular parking spots and can be charged at regular EV charging stations or even at home.
ASKA also comes with a range extender engine that can charge the batteries in flight. The engine runs on premium gasoline that can also be found at any gas station.
At the same time, it can take off like any eVTOL, from a dedicated vertiport or helipad.
ASKA features large aerodynamic wings that enable it to glide while also being optimized for a safe landing. It's equipped with six independent motors and a ballistic parachute for safety. The standard configuration includes one pilot seat and three passenger seats.
The next step in terms of certification is the G-1 basis, one step closer to the FAA type-certification. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2026 – plenty of time left to reach higher pre-order numbers.
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