Imagine you’re stuck in traffic on a Monday morning, the honking horns and exhaust fumes are driving you nuts, and you think to yourself, “If only I could just fly over all this.” Well, the future is here, and it’s the Alef Model A Flying Car.
Hailing from San Mateo, California, the start-up Alef has been quietly revolutionizing the way we think about commuting. Their brainchild, the Model A, is the first-ever vehicle to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) for use in the U.S. And the best part? Oh, besides the flying part? Well, it’s entirely electric. Zero emissions and a maximum capacity of two occupants. That means you and your clone. Because if we have flying cars, that must mean we have clones by then too.
The Model A is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Instead of traditional wings, this car/plane/ride uses eight rotating blades tucked neatly underneath its sleek, silver bodywork. These blades allow the car to rise vertically, just like a helicopter. But once it’s airborne, the whole car rotates sideways, and the blades propel it forward. Don’t worry about getting dizzy; the passenger seat rotates to keep you upright during flight.
The Model A is not just a car; it’s a biplane, a circular wing, a marvel of modern engineering. Obviously, there’s a cool factor. More than that though, Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, envisions the Model A as a solution to our commuting woes. With its vertical landing and take-off capabilities, the Model A can “hop” over congested areas, bypassing traffic jams and road accidents.
If there is a downside, it’s that the Model A has a range of 110 miles. The price is a reasonable $300,000. It’s a hefty price tag, sure, but can you really put a price on flying over the morning traffic with a cup of coffee in your hand?
Before you start dreaming about soaring over the poor, there’s a catch. The FAA certification comes with certain restrictions. It limits the locations and purposes for which the Model A can fly. Which is better than nothing right? It’s the first step towards a future where flying cars are as common as their ground-bound counterparts. I repeat, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FLYING CARS!!
In the words of Dukhovny, “This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.” And I couldn’t agree more. The Alef Model A is more than just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we dare to reimagine the world. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of progress. Random tangent, what happens when we have mid-air crashes? Where do all the plane parts go? Straight onto the houses below. Has no one thought of this?
Preorders are up here. Maybe one day, we’ll all be flying to work. Oh wait..I just received word…We’re gonna be remote working in the future and don’t need to fly anywhere. D’oh!
