Today we’d like to introduce you to Maki Kaplinsky.
Hi Maki, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My background
I’m originally from Japan but have studied and worked internationally for over 25 years. I live in the Bay Area with my husband, 3 children, two dogs, and many chickens. I’m the co-founder / COO/Chair of an aviation company. My company is headquartered in the Bay Area and has an engineering team based in San Diego.
My work
ASKA (which means flying bird in Japanese) is an air mobility company founded in 2018. I am a serial entrepreneur, and ASKA is the third startup I cofounded with my partner. Our previous startup concluded with a merger & acquisition in 2017. We were already planning our next venture and focused on advanced air mobility, which I believe is the future of transportation.
Our company is developing an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle or eVTOL. The size of an SUV in the drive mode, ASKA™A5 can drive like a car. ASKA opens its wings and transforms into the flight mode, takes off vertically in the air, and flies up to 250 miles.
What’s exciting about advanced air mobility (AAM) is that AAM has the ability to reduce the increasing problem of traffic congestion in and around major cities. What was most inspiring to me was how this new way to travel could solve societal problems that are impacting our quality of life.
As cities become more congested and the cost of housing increases, many families can’t afford to buy a home, and they worry about quality of life for their children. I want the ability to drive and fly to improve the quality of life for people, create a fast and safe transportation link between urban and rural areas, and help solve the problem of rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
According to the media, there are more than 300 companies today in the world that are trying to develop eVTOLs. Our company is the pioneer of drive & fly eVTOL, a real flying car. When we started the development back in 2018, we were the only one developing a Drive & Fly eVTOL. The average person did not know what an eVTOL was, particularly one that could drive and fly.
Today, our vehicle has progressed to a fully functional prototype, authorized by the FAA for flight testing, and we have done over 500 miles of drive testing. When people see ASKA™ A5 at trade events like CES in Las Vegas or driving around during Monterey Car Week, they are excited and grab their phones. They want a photo of a real flying car. Now more than ever, Drive & Fly is getting traction, and I believe that this is going to have a significant role in the Advanced Air Mobility industry.
On a personal level, I’m a professional in a demanding, technology-driven sector. I’m succeeding with my self-determination and ability to take risks. I also have the support of my business partner/husband my family, and I’ve met many wonderful people in our local community. I’m currently taking flying lessons, a new challenge for me; I want to be ready to fly the ASKA™ A5.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
ASKA is the world’s first drive & fly eVTOL vehicle that is progressing through the FAA-type certification process. Our full-scale prototype was awarded the Special Airworthiness Certification by the FAA, and we have been conducting fight testing since June this year.
Pricing:
- ASKA™ A5 is priced at $789K, and we are accepting pre-orders. Pre-ordering starts with a $5K deposit (held in an independent escrow account and refundable). Pre-order customers join our Founders Club, a dynamic community for sharing ideas, learning about new technology innovations, and exploring potential business opportunities in the rapidly emerging air mobility sector.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.askafly.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/askaflyingcar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@askadriveflyvehicle
