Flying cars may no longer be a thing of sci-fi movies, with this newest technological breakthrough.
Fez – Alef Aeronautics has officially taken its flying car to the skies. On February 19, the company successfully tested its Alef Model A, a drivable flying car with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The test flight, which took place in a controlled city environment, even saw the vehicle flying over another car.
CEO Jim Dukhovny shared the milestone on LinkedIn, calling it “the first documented, verifiable flight of a flying car, an actual car with vertical takeoff, non-tethered.”
He acknowledged that many had questioned why the company hadn’t previously released flight videos.
Dukhovny explained that, as a startup, Alef Aeronautics had to protect its intellectual property and ensure safety before making anything public.
The test flight took place in San Mateo, California. To ensure safety, the team closed off the road and stationed emergency personnel nearby.
The test model, called the Alef Model Zero, completed its flight without issues. This version is not for sale but is used for research and development.
Alef Aeronautics is now preparing to bring the Alef Model A to market. The vehicle, designed to function both as a car and an aircraft, can be parked in regular spaces and driven on roads.
It has a driving range of 200 miles and a flight range of 110 miles. Unlike traditional aircraft, it does not have exposed propellers, making it safer for urban environments.
The cabin remains stable during flight thanks to a gimbaled design, and an elevon system controls its movement in the air.
The Alef Model A is fully electric and designed for efficiency. The company claims it consumes less energy per trip than a Tesla or any other EV.
The vehicle features multiple safety redundancies, obstacle detection, and a ballistic parachute. It has already received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA, allowing it to fly in the U.S.
Alef Aeronautics is not stopping here. The team is working on the Alef Model Z, a four-person flying sedan expected to launch in 2035.
This future model aims to have a flight range of 200 miles and a driving range of 400 miles, with autonomous flight capabilities.
For now, Alef continues rigorous flight testing and software simulations to refine its technology. While the commercial launch of the Alef Model A is still on the horizon, its first successful flight marks a major step toward making flying cars a reality.
