Bay Area startup nears flying car milestone after 11 years of work

A Bay Area startup named Alef is advancing toward making flying cars a reality after 11 years of development, CBS News Bay Area reported. The company’s vehicle can perform vertical takeoffs from almost any location, blending car and aircraft capabilities.

The flying car features a mesh body allowing air to reach propellers concealed inside. It is lightweight enough to qualify as an ultralight, which currently means no pilot's license is needed to operate it, according to Alef's CEO Jim Dukhovny.

CBS News Bay Area experienced a demonstration flight where the vehicle hovered for about 15 seconds over a field near Half Moon Bay before landing back safely. The vehicle has minimal controls, with only two active buttons to engage the propellers.

Alef sees limited competition in the flying car field. Dukhovny contrasted their manned vehicle with Tesla's recent Roadster demonstration, which flew autonomously without a driver inside. Aviation expert Scott Miller from San José State University also commented on the development.