MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., - ASKA's A5 prototype "flying car" has started the type certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Silicon Valley air mobility company's prototype was awarded certificate of authorization (COA) and special airworthiness certification by the FAA and has started flight testing. Since 2022 ASKA has performed successful ground testing and in Q1/2023 began conducting on-street driving tests. This Special Airworthiness Certificate signals that ASKA A5 has successfully met all FAA safety requirements.
G-1 basis is a critical milestone in the FAA cross-validation process, establishing airworthiness and environmental requirements necessary to achieve FAA Type Certification Validation.
The size of an SUV, the four-seater ASKA A5 is a drive and fly eVTOL that can travel by road and air. The vehicle is designed for the highest level of safety, a key factor that has enabled the company to make positive progress with the FAA toward type certification. The vehicle features:
- Dual hybrid energy supply - ASKA is hybrid with batteries and a range extender engine that charges the batteries in-flight. Uses premium gasoline available from today's gas stations
- Large Aerodynamic wings, optimized for safe landing with ability to glide
- Six independent motor systems for flight
- Sufficient reserve flight time to meet FAA safety requirement
- Ballistic parachute
- 4 seater (1 pilot and 3 passengers)
- Capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) from helipads and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) from runways
- Max flight range 250 miles
- Airspeed up to 150mph
ASKA A5 is not only capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) from a helipad or vertiport, it can enter an airfield by driving through the airport gate, open the wings, taxi towards a helipad or runway, then take off. The vehicle can also perform an energy-efficient short takeoff from the runway using the in-wheel motors and thrust from the props.
