See inside a revolutionary flying car that will cost $789,000 and just started test flights

Tim LevinAug 28, 2023, 15:52 IST

I got to ride in the very first prototype of Aska's flying car. It looked nothing like this rendering of the final version.Aska

Flying cars could finally be on the horizon.
Aska, a California-based startup, is working on an electric aircraft that can drive on US roads.

Flying cars may be closer to reality than you think.

Northern California-based startup Aska is trying to finally deliver what humans have been dreaming about for decades: A car that can drive on the road and then, with the flip of a switch, take off into the sky, "Back to the Future" style.

Here's what it was like to ride in Aska's first prototype — and what the future may hold if the startup gets off the ground.

Meet the Aska A5, a bizarre-looking helicopter-car hybrid that could finally make the dream of flying cars a reality.

Aska's first flying-car prototype is definitely more aircraft than car. Tim Levin/Insider

The California-based startup has been working on developing its flying car since 2018.

Aska is targeting commuters who want to live farther from cities. Tim Levin/Insider

Its prototype recently won approval for flight testing by the Federal Aviation Administration, and Aska has done some hovering so far.

The A5 is only designed to travel 10 miles or less. Tim Levin/Insider

The firm wants to revolutionize commuting and help customers live farther away from their offices in expensive cities like San Francisco, Aska CEO and cofounder Guy Kaplinsky told me during my test ride.

A rendering of the Aska A5 flying car.Aska

The firm wants to revolutionize commuting and help customers live farther away from their offices in expensive cities like San Francisco, Aska CEO and cofounder Guy Kaplinsky told me during my test ride.

The A5 will be able to take off and land vertically, like a drone or helicopter, as well as horizontally, like a regular plane.

Aska plans to offer a car-sharing service for commuters. Tim Levin/Insider

For driving on the road, the A5's wings fold inward, creating a more compact, roadworthy package.

The prototype is about as large as an F-350 pickup. The final car will be about 30% smaller. Tim Levin/Insider

Aska doesn't want to replace your car. It only envisions customers driving 10 miles or less, between their home or workplace and a takeoff location.

Aska's flying car will at first be able to drive on local roads with slower speed limits. Tim Levin/Insider

The early prototype I saw was pretty bare-bones.

The prototype's interior was rough and not production-ready. Tim Levin/Insider

The final version will seat four people and have a more refined, screen-heavy interior.

A rendering of the Aska A5 flying car.Aska

The Aska A5 can be yours for $789,000 to start. The company says it's on track to start deliveries in 2026.

A rendering of the Aska A5 flying car.Aska

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See inside a revolutionary flying car that will cost $789,000 and just started test flights

Meet the Aska A5, a bizarre-looking helicopter-car hybrid that could finally make the dream of flying cars a reality.

The California-based startup has been working on developing its flying car since 2018.

Its prototype recently won approval for flight testing by the Federal Aviation Administration, and Aska has done some hovering so far.

The firm wants to revolutionize commuting and help customers live farther away from their offices in expensive cities like San Francisco, Aska CEO and cofounder Guy Kaplinsky told me during my test ride.

The A5 will be able to take off and land vertically, like a drone or helicopter, as well as horizontally, like a regular plane.

For driving on the road, the A5's wings fold inward, creating a more compact, roadworthy package.

Aska doesn't want to replace your car. It only envisions customers driving 10 miles or less, between their home or workplace and a takeoff location.

The early prototype I saw was pretty bare-bones.

The final version will seat four people and have a more refined, screen-heavy interior.

The Aska A5 can be yours for $789,000 to start. The company says it's on track to start deliveries in 2026.