Revised design reduces downwash on the fuselage from the lift propellers.
U.S. startup Aska has debuted a full-scale prototype of its A5 drive-and-fly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.
Uncrewed flight testing of the fully functional prototype is planned to begin in the first quarter, the company says.
The four-seat A5 has tandem wings that stow on top of the SUV-size vehicle in drive mode and unfold for flight. Four in-wheel motors provide all-wheel drive for road use. For flight, six propellers are mounted on the wings—four fixed props for vertical lift and two that tilt to provide lift and also thrust for forward flight.
The prototype is on display at the CES 2023 consumer electronics show in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-8.
As well as VTOL capability, the vehicle is designed to be able to take off and land conventionally on its wings, reducing energy consumption, as well as perform a short takeoff using the in-wheel motors to accelerate to liftoff speed. Using the motors, the A5 can take off in less than 5 sec. with a 250-ft. ground roll, Aska co-founder and CEO Guy Kaplinsky says.
The A5 is powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system comprising lithium-ion batteries and a gasoline engine as a range extender. This provides a flight range of 250 mi. and a minimum of 30 min. reserve flight time as well as redundant energy sources and independence from ground charging infrastructure, he says. In the event of an emergency, the aircraft can glide to a safe landing and a whole aircraft ballistic recovery parachute is included.
Backed by private investors, Aska is targeting certification of the A5 for 2026 and has accepted preorders from individual buyers for approaching 100 vehicles. At CES, the startup also introduced an on-demand ride service allowing customers to rent the vehicle with a trained pilot for about the price of Uber Black car service. Kaplinsky expects the majority of customers will choose this more affordable “timeshare” option.
While the A5 can be driven on roads, it will have to take off and land at an FAA-approved site, but this can be a helipad, vertiport or uncontrolled airport. “The big advantage is we don’t need a charging station, a terminal or any infrastructure because the vehicle is drivable,” Kaplinsky says.
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