Photo: ASKA
In just a few years, we’ll find out what it's like to drive a car that can also take to the sky. The Californian ASKA A5 is on track to becoming the world's official first flying car, certified to travel both on the road and in the air. For now, this futuristic beast has shown a little of what it can do while being tied to the ground.
Silicon Valley air mobility company ASKA is having a great year. Its flagship machine became the first flying car in the world to kick off the type certification process with the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration). A couple of months ago, it was granted a Certificate of Authorization (COA) and Special Airworthiness Certification.
At the same time, the Californian flying car got the green light from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to drive on public roads.
This double certification also means that ASKA A5 needs to put in double the effort when it comes to testing. On one hand, it has already completed more than 300 miles (480 km) of road testing in Silicon Valley. On the other hand, it recently kicked off airborne tests.
During the first round, the flying machine remained tethered to the ground while lifting with hovered thrust. The next tests, according to the company's co-founder and COO Maki Kaplinsky, will focus on the transition phase from hover to cruise and into STOL (short take-off and landing).
ASKA can be described as a "drive & fly eVTOL" or as a flying car with VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) and STOL capabilities. This winged car can take off like an eVTOL from a vertiport or a helipad but can also switch to energy-efficient STOL performance (on runways) using its aerodynamic wings and in-wheel motors.
The size of an SUV, this four-seater can be conveniently parked in standard parking spots. ASKA A5 is a hybrid vehicle in terms of capabilities (drive & fly) and propulsion. In addition to its electric motors (allowing it to be easily charged at home and regular EV stations), it comes with a range extender engine running on premium gasoline. The engine charges ASKA A5's batteries in flight, extending its range to 250 miles (402 km).
Several eVTOLs worldwide claim to be flying cars, but the Californian company says that ASKA A5 is the first of its kind and is currently the only one on track toward FAA certification.
Although we'll have to wait at least three more years until the official launch, the Californian flying car is already immensely popular. ASKA opened reservations two years ago and has now reached a whopping $50 million in pre-orders. A full-scale prototype was displayed earlier this year at CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
At the same time, the Californian flying car got the green light from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to drive on public roads.
This double certification also means that ASKA A5 needs to put in double the effort when it comes to testing. On one hand, it has already completed more than 300 miles (480 km) of road testing in Silicon Valley. On the other hand, it recently kicked off airborne tests.
During the first round, the flying machine remained tethered to the ground while lifting with hovered thrust. The next tests, according to the company's co-founder and COO Maki Kaplinsky, will focus on the transition phase from hover to cruise and into STOL (short take-off and landing).
ASKA can be described as a "drive & fly eVTOL" or as a flying car with VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) and STOL capabilities. This winged car can take off like an eVTOL from a vertiport or a helipad but can also switch to energy-efficient STOL performance (on runways) using its aerodynamic wings and in-wheel motors.
The size of an SUV, this four-seater can be conveniently parked in standard parking spots. ASKA A5 is a hybrid vehicle in terms of capabilities (drive & fly) and propulsion. In addition to its electric motors (allowing it to be easily charged at home and regular EV stations), it comes with a range extender engine running on premium gasoline. The engine charges ASKA A5's batteries in flight, extending its range to 250 miles (402 km).
Several eVTOLs worldwide claim to be flying cars, but the Californian company says that ASKA A5 is the first of its kind and is currently the only one on track toward FAA certification.
Although we'll have to wait at least three more years until the official launch, the Californian flying car is already immensely popular. ASKA opened reservations two years ago and has now reached a whopping $50 million in pre-orders. A full-scale prototype was displayed earlier this year at CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
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