WILL DRIVING BECOME FLYING? One Company Is Moving Toward a Literal Launch
For decades, we’ve heard the dreams of engineers who predicted that one day, the power of flight would be within the hands of the general public — with flying cars.
The company says that the Model A will be 100% electric. It will be capable of driving on roads and parking like the cars of today. But when its owner chooses, it can take off vertically from a standstill and go airborne with an estimated flying range of 110 miles. At this point, flying the prototype only requires the driver/pilot to have a drone license to operate. As you can imagine, the process of creating a flying car has been no small accomplishment. It has involved years of design, prototyping, and honing the vehicle’s ability for effective forward flight so that it can function as an efficient commuter vehicle. While the technology appears within reach in the next few years, the vehicle’s price point stands at a lofty sum of $300,000. Along the way, the company has refined its brand — taking on the Alef name, which is the first letter of the Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic, Syrian, and Phoenician alphabets. Plans continue to evolve for the Model A. In the meantime, prepare for the day in the not-too-distant future when you can take a road trip and fly the friendly skies in the same vehicle.
Now, it seems that reality may finally be on the horizon.
Alef Aeronautics has gained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its Model A flying car to take to the road and skies, with an anticipated delivery to customers as soon as 2025. The vehicle was conceptualized by its four founders in 2015. Since then, it has steadily gained investors (including billionaire venture capital investor Tim Draper) and has passed several test flights, including a test of the car’s “skeleton” design in 2018. After that, the first prototype took flight in 2019. In 2021, with most of the engineering hurdles cleared, the Alef Aeronautics team started making the Model A sleek and attractive. They went to the best of the best for that job, bringing on renowned Bugatti vehicle designer Hirash Razaghi to craft what the company calls a “modern, sporty exterior.”
Winter Wonders: Dive Into the Best Local Event
As we embrace January’s chilly weather, Raleigh is set to start the new year with fresh and exciting events that will appeal to your entire family. So, if you have nothing planned for this month, here are some exciting things you can do and see in Raleigh in January.
they’re offering discounted rates of just $14 for veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters, EMS workers, doctors, and nurses.
So, come out for some frosty fun at Fenton’s. It’s a great way to make your family’s winter more exciting and memorable!
SKATE THE SQUARE AT FENTON Until Feb. 5, 2024
NORTH CAROLINA CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL Until Jan. 14, 2024 Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary, NC BoothAmphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese- lantern-festival Get ready to experience one of the most beautiful holiday traditions in the region! The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is returning for its 8th year at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
Fenton Square, 21 Fenton Main St., Cary, NC FentonNC.com/event/fenton-skate-the-square
Looking for some winter fun? Look no further than Fenton’s Skate the Square! The ice rink is now open until Feb. 5 and offers 75 minutes of skating for just $17. However, if you come on a Monday, tickets are only $14!
And if you’re a real-life hero, Skate the Square has something special for you! Every Tuesday during the holiday season,
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