The FAA certification is an important milestone for Alef as it strives to bring its flying car concept to reality. However, there is still much work to be done before the car becomes practical. The Model A, which is the company’s first prototype, is expected to have a payload capacity of only 200 pounds, enough for one passenger and some baggage. Alef plans to increase the capacity in future models. The vehicle is designed to function as both a car on the road and a drone-like aircraft in the sky. It has a driving range of 200 miles and a flying range of 110 miles. The range is expected to be higher in a different prototype that will utilize hydrogen fuel cells instead of electric batteries.

Jim Dukhovny, the CEO of Alef, emphasizes that the FAA’s certification brings them closer to providing people with an environmentally friendly and time-saving commute. He believes this achievement is a significant leap forward in the integration of planes and cars. Despite the hefty price tag of $300,000, Alef has already received pre-orders for its flying car. The company plans to bring the vehicle to market by 2025. With FAA approval in hand, the production and supply of the flying car could follow suit in the near future.

The car features a unique design with a passenger bubble surrounded by eight propellers, akin to a drone. This configuration enables vertical take-off. As the car transitions to forward flight, one side of its body becomes the top wing of the aircraft, while the other side becomes the bottom wing. Testing for this transition with a human passenger has yet to be conducted, but with the FAA’s certification and the likelihood of securing additional funding, Alef will likely proceed with such tests in due course.