World’s First Drive and Fly eVTOL Aska A5 to debut at CES 2023.
Reimagining transportation without traffic, Aska A5 is the world’s first vertical takeoff and landing vehicle that can be driven on roads.
LAS VEGAS, January 4, 2023 – The first fully functional prototype of the ASKA™ A5 electric drive and fly Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle makes its debut at CES 2023. The size of an SUV, the ASKA™ A5 is the world’s first four-seater electric vehicle that can travel by road, and up to 250 miles by air on a single charge. The company is also announcing the ASKA™ On-Demand ride service (expected to launch in 2026) that will feature a fleet of ASKA™ vehicles, operating on-demand in major cities and their surroundings. The A5 will be on display at CES in Las Vegas, January 5-8th, 2023, at stand WP-2/West Hall LVCC.
Reinventing Transportation
From horse and buggy, to paved roads, mass-produced automobiles, and the Interstate Highway
System – personal transportation and infrastructure have continuously evolved to make getting
from point A to point B. However, roadways quickly became congested, traffic was born, and
now people are spending too much of their lives in traffic. There needs to be a “step change.” A
new transportation solution that addresses the biggest challenges we face – cost of living,
climate change, affordable housing, effective infrastructure, and quality of life.
It’s something new that was predicted long ago but is finally becoming a reality: the flying car.
“Our unveil at CES represents something that has never been accomplished in the world, but
which humans have dreamed of for decades: a fully functional, full-scale prototype of a Drive &
Fly electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, a real flying car. We’re making history with ASKA™ and
defining the next 100 years of transportation,” states Guy Kaplinsky, CoFounder/CEO. “ASKA™ is
positioned as a new generation vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile with
the ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight. ASKA™ is a vehicle that addresses not only
consumers, there is also significant business potential in emergency response use, military use,
as well as on-demand ride-sharing mobility services.”
ASKA™ requires minimum updates to the current infrastructure. To perform a vertical take-off
or landing, it requires only a compact space, such as a helipad or vertiport. The vehicle
fits in existing parking spaces, it can be charged at home and EV charging stations, and the range
extender engine runs on premium gasoline purchased at existing automotive gas stations.
Flying Car as a Service
ASKA™ A5 is available for pre-order. The company is developing an affordable on-demand
ride-sharing service that utilizes its eVTOL vehicles. Targeting availability in major cities and
surrounding areas by 2026*, ASKA’s ride-sharing program will have certified pilots pick
ride-share customers up at their homes and fly them to their destinations. The company has
launched early-bird sign-up free registration for ASKA™ On-Demand.
Innovative Engineering Firsts
At first glance, the ASKA™ A5 is unlike any vehicle. It bridges the best in modern automotive and aviation design. Powering the A5 is a proprietary power system that features lithium-ion battery packs and a gasoline engine that acts as an onboard range extender. This dual energy source delivers a 250-mile flight range and drastically increases power source reliability.
In drive mode, it packs in-wheel motor technology, allowing all four wheels to be placed outside the fuselage for all-wheel-drive traction, better aerodynamics, and maximized interior space to comfortably seat 4 passengers.
In flying mode, the vehicle’s wings with six rotors unfold, allowing the vehicle to either take off
vertically, or do conventional runway takeoffs. The large wing is optimized for gliding, smooth
landings, and efficient energy consumption, while each tilt rotor is utilized for vehicle control.
It can take off in two ways: one is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) from a compact
space like a helipad. The other is a conventional runway takeoff and landing which can improve
the vehicle’s energy consumption efficiency.
“In the U.S. alone, there are around 15,000 airfields with runways,” explains Maki Kaplinsky,
CoFounder & Chair/COO. “Our innovative engineering enables ASKA™ to take off from a
runway super-fast using our unique in-wheel motor technology. This is a revolution in aviation,
enabling ASKA™ to take off in less than 5 sec with a runway of 250 ft which brings the closest
experience to a F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet taking off from an aircraft carrier for our
customers. Pilots will have plenty of options for how and where to fly ASKA™. ASKA™’s
revolutionary “Drive and Fly” design enables us to use existing infrastructure and provide “last
mile” transportation. ASKA™ lets people drive, fly and then drive to their final destination in
one vehicle. This “Drive and Fly” approach will enable air mobility to be more easily and
cost-effectively adopted.”
Safety
ASKA™ has large wings and in the event of an emergency, the large wings can glide the craft to a safe landing. The vehicle is equipped with dual energy sources, both batteries and an engine. The 6 propellers, one on each wing, ensure better redundancy for safe landings. The best-in-class hybrid propulsion system
provides a minimum of 30 minutes reserve flight time, which is a critical requirement by the FAA today. It also includes a ballistic parachute in case of emergency to save the whole aircraft.
In 2020, ASKA signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to advance its participation in the
Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign, jointly organized by the FAA. In 2022 the FAA
accepted ASKA through their intake board and the company is progressing towards ASKA™’s
type certification. Full-scale flight testing will start after the CES.
Subject to standard regulatory approval and certification, the ASKA™ A5 is targeted for commercialization 2026.
Pre-order reservations are now being accepted at www.askafly.com.