ASKA and JR East display mock-up of the ASKA A5 and video of drive and flight tests at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, JR East’s large-scale urban development project 

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, UNITED STATES, March 25th, 2025 

 

ASKA, the developer of the ASKA™ A5 roadable electric-hybrid VTOL (Vertical and Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, announced a collaboration with East Japan Railway Company (JR East). As part of the collaboration, a one-third-size model of the ASKA A5 will be exhibited at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY, set to open on March 27th in Tokyo, Japan. ASKA and JR East will also present a video envisioning a future tourism experience utilizing flying cars in Japan.  

 

ASKA and JR East will further explore the possibilities for implementing ASKA A5 in society, while aiming to realize sustainable urban development and tourism services using flying cars.

 

The ASKA A5 is a four-seater (one pilot, three passengers), electric-hybrid flying car with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. Equipped with a plug-in hybrid system that uses existing EV chargers, it offers a maximum flight range of 250 miles. 

With the wings folded, the vehicle becomes the size of an SUV and can travel on the road, able to utilize the existing infrastructure for charging and fueling as well as parking. Beyond tourism, the ASKA A5 is expected to be useful for emergency transportation during disasters, with the advantage of being able to be deployed with minimum infrastructure as well as offering last mile transportation.  

 

The full-scale prototype has achieved a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) and, in July 2024, received its second renewal of the FAA’s experimental special airworthiness certificate for R&D. The aircraft is advancing with flight testing, having successfully completed over 500 unmanned hovering tests as well as extensive drive testing.

 

Designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, airfields, helipads and runways, the ASKA A5 can operate effectively within today’s transportation ecosystem.  

 

TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY is a large-scale urban development project in Tokyo that began with the opening of Takanawa Gateway Station in 2020. Strategically positioned between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations, the station was designed to serve as the centerpiece of a larger redevelopment effort. Its concept is to transform the former station into a dynamic, future-thinking hub that integrates state-of-the-art technology, sustainable architecture, and cultural heritage (https://www.takanawagateway-city.com/en/about/).

 

About ASKA

ASKA is the world leader in the development of electric-hybrid multimodal (drive and fly) VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) with surface and air capabilities, flying cars.

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