The ASKA A5 flying car has taken another step towards certification after the eVTOL aircraft completed its first test flight.
After finishing its first test flight, the eVTOL aircraft took the ASKA A5 flying automobile one step closer to certification.
The full-scale prototype lifted off from a Californian airfield with minimal thrust while the vehicle was tethered to the ground, thereby completing its significant flight testing milestone.
According to a July 2023 announcement from ASKA, the A5 is now the first flying vehicle in the world to be given permission by the US Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to operate on public roads.
With a DMV number plate, the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft has thus far completed more than 300 miles of successful road testing across Silicon Valley.
The A5 received a Certificate of Authorization (COA) and Special Airworthiness Certification from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) on June 30, 2023, according to the corporation.
The FAA's type certification process for the first flying car has begun with the eVTOL aircraft.
“It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment for the team to reach this new milestone. This moment represents a giant leap for the Aviation and Automotive industries. Having accomplished the first series of hover flight testing as well as driving testing, ASKA is a pioneer in the field of electric flying cars with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities,” said Guy Kaplinsky, CEO and co-founder of ASKA.
As well as VTOL from a helipad or vertiport, the vehicle can also perform an energy-efficient short take-off and landing (STOL) from a runway using the in-wheel motors, thrust from the props and aerodynamic wings.
“This first lift-off was a true accomplishment and years of engineering design and analysis became a reality. A5 successfully lifted off and maintained thrust hover status. We are closely working with the FAA to ensure continued excellent progress with our flight testing. We will continue the optimization of hovering and VTOL. The next phase will be working toward transition into cruise and STOL,” said Maki Kaplinsky, co-founder, chair and COO of ASKA said.
In 2021, ASKA will begin accepting pre-order reservations after its 2018 launch. Pre-orders for the company have already reached $50 million.
eVTOL's creator anticipates commercialization in 2026, pending regulatory permissions.
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