A new flying engine is being built for urban transport

A technology startup company announced it has raised $ 2 million in funds to develop a prototype of a new flying motorcycle.

The plans were created by an American company, JetPack Aviation (JPA), and the project is supported by investments from Draper Associates, Jaan Tallinn, Y Combinator, Catheis Ventures and other venture capital firms.

The flying engine, still known as a “recreational speeder,” can reach a top speed of 640 km / h and ascend to as high as 4,600 meters, the Daily Mail reports.

The flying engine is available in two versions

TechCrunch reports that it will have both manual and self-driving functions, even in a traditional parking lot, capable of vertical take-off and landing, and can run on kerosene, diesel or Jet A fuel according to preliminary plans. According to the JPA, the aircraft will be able to remain in the air for 10 to 22 minutes, depending on the weight and altitude of the pilot.

The U.S. tech firm says it has long-term plans to produce two separate models of recreational speeding, one an ultralight version for commercial use and the other a pilot version based on custom projects for military, government and commercial customers. will be available.

The model, designed for commercial use, will be available for purchase without a pilot’s license, and the owner will need to complete a training program provided by JPA or an authorized distributor to use it.

The lightweight version is planned to be launched with a 19-liter fuel tank and a top speed of 60 km / h, while the pilot vehicle will be tailored to individual customer needs and have a top speed of up to 640 km / h, requiring a valid driving license.

At a peppery price, but city traffic will be avoided

JPA CEO David Mayman said the first round of the $ 2 million investment could cover the full cost of designing and manufacturing a functional prototype that will be manufactured according to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations for experimental aircraft.

When the plans were announced in March, the JPA estimated the price of flying motorcycles at $ 380,000. An advance payment of USD 10,000 is required to be added to the pre-order list.

JPA has previously developed two different jetpack prototypes. These are pilot-mounted, rear-mounted aircraft structures designed to transport medical supplies and other materials to various military units.

“Jetpack Aviation has created the future with speeding. I can’t wait to see how this technology is transforming the dreaded commute, vacation travel and day-to-day affairs, ”said Jared Friedman, owner of Y Combinator, after the project was announced in March.

Conveyor belts are used to manufacture flying vehicles

Innovative solutions to the problems caused by urban traffic as well as airport waiting have been targeted by several technology companies. Flying taxis designed to bypass public transport, for example, are already undergoing advanced tests and may be available from 2022 onwards.

In this market, two companies, Lilium and Volocopter, compete over time. The former will build a five-seater, fully electric, vertical take-off and landing jet that is scheduled to be operational by 2025, while the latter is working on the development of a two-seater, 18-propeller self-propelled aircraft, expected to be launched in Asia in two and four years. .

The flying car doesn’t seem that far away either. Bratislava-based AeroMobil has made its debut with its first car-aircraft hybrid six years after twenty years of preparatory work, and it is planned that series production could begin in three years. This vehicle is designed for travel between cities, saving on travel to and from the airport, but it will hardly be affordable for the average person due to its estimated purchase price of € 1.2-1.6 million.