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In an Australian-first, RAA in partnership Airspeeder will begin trialling single person scenic flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island in an Airspeeder Mk4 electric flying car from 2024.
RAA CEO Nick Reade said the 12-month trial would firmly place South Australia on the international stage, enhancing the state’s reputation as a leader in innovation, low emission transport and sustainable tourism.
“RAA is always looking at new and innovative ways we can deliver greater value to our members and our State,” Mr Reade said.
“Through our trial with Airspeeder, South Australians will be able to take in the stunning views of Kangaroo Island from a completely new perspective.
“Airspeeder has been setting the bar for electric vehicle technology globally, in the radical new motorsport of piloted electric flying car racing.
“We plan to take this concept further, by testing the commercial viability of running scenic flights in flying cars from Adelaide to one of our State’s leading tourist destinations.”
Designed and built in South Australia by Alauda Aeronautics, the Airspeeder Mk4 is the world’s fastest electric flying car and is capable of reaching a top speed of 362 km per hour in just 30 seconds.
The electric flying car is powered by a 1340 horsepower turbo generator that feeds power to the batteries and motors, and produces nearly zero carbon emissions.
The Airspeeder Mk4 is also extremely efficient with a projected range of 302 km – nearly twice the distance between Adelaide and Kingscote.
Airspeeder co-founder and CEO Matt Pearson said the partnership with RAA was a natural fit in the evolution of Airspeeder.
“Our mission is to build the ultimate performance flying car that will define a new mobility revolution,” Mr Pearson said.
“RAA’s leadership in delivering the State’s first border-to-border electric vehicle charging network and commitment to low emission future mobility aligned with Airspeeders’ core values.
“From the dawn of the motor car, it’s been racing that pushes innovation, and that’s exactly what we are seeing with this trial.
“The next generation of motorsport racing could soon be available for all South Australians to enjoy.”
The first flight is expected to launch on 1 April 2024, coinciding with April Fool’s Day.
Click here to download a video of RAA’s Mark Borlace and Airspeeder’s Matthew Pearson announcing the trial.
About RAA
RAA has come a long way since being founded by a small group of motoring pioneers in 1903. Today, almost 800,000 members choose RAA to deliver them peace of mind, through a trusted range of motor, home and travel products and services.
Members are at the heart of everything RAA does, so it’s always looking for new ways to better their lives and make it easy to focus on what really matters. As one of the state’s largest and oldest organisations, RAA is proud to help keep its members – and SA – moving in the right direction.
About Airspeeder & Alauda
Airspeeder is the next generation of motorsport. Founded on the belief that technical development is accelerated in the white heat of competition, Airspeeder is defining the future of mobility by hastening the arrival of the technologies that will drive the flying car mobility revolution. This bold vision is realised by elite technical minds from the cutting-edge of the aviation and motorsport worlds.
Alauda designs and builds performance electric flying cars. The company is a fusion of the best of aerospace and motoring. Focussed on designing, building and racing the world’s first production electric flying sports cars, Alauda believes flying cars need to start the same way automobiles did over a century ago — by racing.
About founder, Matthew Pearson
Matt Pearson is the founder and visionary behind Alauda and Airspeeder. Together with a team of engineers, designers and commercial minds spanning Australia, New York and London, he is accelerating the development of electric flying vehicles through the white heat of sporting competition.
Beyond his role as a defining voice in the future of mobility, Matt is driving the rapidly expanding Industrial Internet of Things space through his work at Fleet Space Technologies. From their base in South Australia millions of devices are being connected via Low Earth Orbit through a growing network of nano satellites.
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