ASKA unveils world first Drive & Fly eVTOL - ASKA A5 at CES 2023 Las Vegas

The first fully-functional prototype of the ASKA A5 drive and fly 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. 

Guy Kaplinsky, CoFounder/CEO, commented: "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. 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."

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.

ASKA requires minimum updates to the current infrastructure. To perform a vertical take-off or landing, ASKA 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. 

Safety Reimagined
ASKA is designed for the highest safety standards. For example, ASKA has large wings and In the event of an emergency, the large wings can glide the craft to a safe landing. ASKA 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. ASKA 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.