The ASKA A5 is one of the first commercially available flying cars, enabling owners to drive on roads and fly through the air. The review provides an in-depth and first-hand experience test driving the ASKA A5 to assess whether it lives up to the hype as a roadable aircraft.
Overview of the ASKA A5
The A5 is a two-seat, light sport aircraft developed by Japanese company ASKA. Here are some of its key specs and features:
- Seating Capacity: 2 people
- Length: 24.8 feet
- Wingspan: 19 feet (27 feet with wings extended)
- Empty Weight: 1,100 lbs
- Top Speed (flying): 100 mph
- Top Speed (driving): 70 mph
- Fuel Type: Regular unleaded gasoline
- Range: 250 miles (flying), 340 miles (driving)
The vehicle is designed to switch quickly between drive and flight modes. The wings can fold away in under 3 minutes, allowing you to park in a regular parking space. It runs on normal gasoline and uses a pusher propeller engine that produces 100 hp.
How the ASKA A5 Transitions from Driving to Flying
The ASKA A5 makes the transition from car to plane through a few simple steps:
- Find a suitable location for takeoff, like an empty parking lot or clearing.
- Stop the car, get out, and extend the wings manually to their full 19 ft span.
- Get back in, start the pusher propeller engine, and accelerate down a runway to takeoff speed.
- Pull back on the joystick to rotate the vehicle upwards and lift off into the air.
The folding wing mechanism is ingenious yet simple enough for a single pilot to operate. Within minutes you can go from cruising down the highway to soaring above it!
My Test Flight Experience
For my test flight, I met the ASKA team at a small airport outside Tokyo. After a briefing on the A5’s controls and safety features, we wheeled it out of the hangar to a grass airstrip.
Prepping for Takeoff
After extending the wings, I climbed into the right seat while an ASKA pilot took the left-hand seat. The cockpit layout is straightforward with a control stick, rudder pedals, engine, and flight instruments in clear view. One flick of the keyless ignition starts up the propeller.
Taking Off and Flying
Advancing the throttle quickly gets the A5 rolling down the runway. At about 60 mph we gently pulled back on the stick and the nose lifted smoothly into the air! Over the course of 30 minutes, we flew around the countryside at between 1000-3000 ft altitude.
The A5 handled wonderfully in the air and felt very stable even in bumpy air. The pusher prop design gives excellent forward and downward visibility from the cockpit. The 100hp engine provides brisk acceleration and the controls are responsive without being twitchy. It was an exhilarating feeling to fly such an unconventional aircraft!
Landing and Driving
Coming in for landing was drama-free as the A5 touched down at under 60 mph and quickly slowed upon reaching the grass strip. After retracting the wings, I took over the controls to get a feel for driving it on the ground.
The A5 handles surprisingly well on the road, with responsive steering and good acceleration from the aircraft engine. The back seats fold down to accommodate luggage and gear. Apart from the unusual cabin layout, it drives just like a sports car! Converting it back to flight mode for the trip home took under 5 minutes.
Pros and Cons of Owning an ASKA A5
Advantages
- Innovative design – It’s a thrill to fly such a unique roadable aircraft.
- Convenience – Quickly switch between flying and driving in minutes.
- No aviation fuel needed – Uses standard unleaded gas so there is no need to find aviation fueling stations.
- Generous luggage room – The folded rear seats allow plenty of cargo space.
- Head-turning styling – You’ll turn heads in this unconventional exotic car!
Disadvantages
- High cost – The ASKA A5 starts at around $400k USD, well above most sports cars.
- Training required – You’ll need a sports pilot license to legally fly it in the US.
- Limited dealer network – ASKA has just one US dealership located in California as of 2021.
- Not highway legal – Its max road speed of 70mph rules out highway driving.
- Tight cockpit – The side-by-side seating leaves little shoulder room.
So while the A5 does have downsides, its innovative design and thrill of flight make it enticing for those seeking a unique personal aircraft.
Should You Buy an ASKA A5?
The ASKA A5 is an innovative proof of concept for roadable aircraft. For aviation enthusiasts with plenty of disposable income, it can be the ultimate toy for avoiding congested highways. However, the high price point and required training may limit its appeal.
As a vision of the future, the A5 shows the promise of flying cars. But it may take many years of development before personal roadable aircraft become affordable and mainstream.
In the near term, the ASKA A5 is an exciting option for those seeking a unique personal plane. If you have the resources and dedication to get certified as a sports pilot, it can be the ultimate aviation toy!
The Future of Flying Cars
While the ASKA A5 is groundbreaking, where do we go from here? Here are some key questions about the future of personal flying vehicles:
- Regulation – Can airspace authorities adopt rules fast enough to allow flying car expansion?
- Safety – Avoiding collisions and crashes will require new technologies and infrastructure.
- Noise Reduction – Quieter, cleaner propulsion systems will be needed for community acceptance.
- Full Autonomy – Self-flying vehicles would make them accessible to more users.
- Infrastructure – We’ll need many more small airports and vertiports to enable flying car adoption.
The path ahead for flying cars won’t be straightforward. But early adopters like the A5 help drive innovation in this exciting field!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a pilot’s license to fly the ASKA A5?
Yes, you need at minimum a sport pilot license to operate the A5 in the US, which requires 20+ hours of flight training. An unlicensed buyer would need to complete training.
What happens if you run out of fuel mid-flight?
The A5 is designed to glide down safely for an emergency landing if the engine fails. It has a glide ratio that allows it to travel 2 miles forward for every 1 mile of altitude.
Can the ASKA A5 drive on highways?
No, its top road speed of 70mph is too slow for most highways. It’s best suited for use on side roads and getting to and from small local airports.
How much does an ASKA A5 cost?
The A5 has an MSRP of $389,000 in the US market as of 2021. Additional costs include hangar storage fees, maintenance, insurance, and flight training if needed.
How far can the A5 fly on a full tank?
It has an aerial range of around 250 miles on a full 10.5 gallon tank of gasoline. This allows flights of up to 2 hours given its 100 mph cruising speed.
And that wraps up my in-depth review of the remarkable ASKA A5 flying car! Let me know if you have any other questions.
