Alef Aeronautics

Alef Aeronautics

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive, Aviation
Founded	April 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)
Founder	Jim Dukhovny, Constantine Kisly, Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov
Headquarters	United States
Products	Flying car (Model A)

Alef Aeronautics is an American company operating in the automotive and aviation sectors, founded in 2015 by Jim Dukhovny, Constantine Kisly, Pavel Markin, and Oleg Petrov. The company specializes in creating a flying car that can take off vertically and tilt sideways to fly similarly to a biplane.

History

The company was launched on April 6, 2015, with initial funding coming from its founders. In 2017, Alef Aeronautics attracted seed capital from Draper Associates, followed by further funding rounds in 2018 and 2020. Notable investors include Draper B1, Impact Venture Capital, Strong VC, and Luis Scola.

Model A flying car

The Alef Model A is an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle designed for personal transport both on roads and in the air. It provides a flight range near 110 miles (180 km) and can travel up to 200 miles (320 km) when driven on the ground.

Its configuration incorporates hub motors for road propulsion alongside eight motor-controller-propeller units distributed for electric flight propulsion. The upper surface is covered by a continuous mesh to enhance aerodynamic efficiency during vertical flight.

A unique characteristic of the Model A is its sideways tilt during transition to flight mode, transforming the vehicle’s sides into biplane wings. Meanwhile, the spherical passenger cabin rotates independently to maintain occupants in an upright position facing forward.

Alef intends to classify the Model A as a “low speed vehicle” for road use, with a maximum speed restricted to 25 mph. In March 2025, the company released footage showcasing a concept model executing vertical takeoff and flying over another vehicle.