ASKA successfully flies first tethered tests

ASKA has completed its first tethered airborne tests with its full-scale A5 flying car prototype.

Lifting from a California airfield with hovered thrust, developers hope the flying car will be the first authorised to travel by road and air with vertical and short horizontal takeoff capabilities. The size of an SUV in the drive mode, the four-seater has a 250-mile flight range at speeds of up to 150mph. ASKA received a Certificate of Authorization (COA) and Special Airworthiness Certification by the FAA back in June.

The A5 has also received authorisation to drive on public roads from the Department of Motor Vehicles and has now driven over 300miles on the road around Silicon Valley.

Guy Kaplinsky, CEO and co-founder, said: “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 VTOL capabilities.”

ASKA has secured around $50m in pre-orders since reservations opened in 2021. The A5 makes use of dual hybrid energy, using batteries and a range extender engine that charges the batteries in-flight. Large Aerodynamic wings give the ability to glide, which provides extra redundancy along with six independent motor systems. The car also incudes a ballistic parachute.

Maki Kaplinsky, co-founder and chief operating officer, said: “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 optimisation of hovering and VTOL. The next phase will be working toward transition into cruise and STOL.”