Yes, I know it has been talked about for decades, but even if slowly flying cars (and flying people with jet packs) are getting closer and closer. And the flying bikes?
La Jetpack Aviation has just announced the successful test flight of its prototype jet-powered motorcycle called the Speeder.
The expected benefits? Fast & Furious worthy (are there flying bikes in Fast & Furious?). Most importantly, the Californian company plans to produce two consumer versions for everyday users.
An engineering feat
The Speeder requested Jetpack Aviation to develop special flight control software to monitor and regulate thrust. The advantage of this work, which lasted a year and a half, is an intuitive system. Speeders function like typical motorcycles, but flying, which automatically stabilize in flight.
Jetpack Aviation's motorcycle can take off and land vertically from most surfaces (in the space occupied by a car) and can be programmed to fly autonomously.
Yes, ok, flying bikes: but the timing?
“We could have an ultra-light version of our flying bikes, which does not require a pilot's license. It would be ready within two years,” he says David Mayman, the CEO of Jetpack Aviation. Adding that an experimental version close to the final one is only 6 months away. February 2022.
Some data
The ultralight version of Jetpack Aviation's flying bikes will be limited to around 100km/h (60 mph) and with a flight autonomy of 15 minutes. The experimental version (which would require a basic pilot's license to fly) would go at an incredible speed of around 400 km/h (250 mph) with flight time of around 35 minutes.
How flying bikes are made
Although the original design featured four turbines (as shown in the images accompanying this article), the final product will have eight. To be precise, two turbines at each corner of the bike, to provide safety through redundancy.
The turbines also deliver impressive power to the flying bikes, allowing the approximately 136-pound (300-pound) Speeder to carry 270-pound (600-pound). It's a size-to-payload ratio that sets the Speeder apart from other flying vehicle concepts VTOL.
The setup, which seems to truly have a "mass" vocation, also includes a 12-inch navigation screen and a radio system.
Flying motorcycles from 2022?
An updated version of the Speeder 2.0 prototype will undergo more intensive testing this summer and next fall.
Final testing of Jetpack Aviation's flying bikes is expected to begin in early 2022.
And the fuels?
For all of its operations, including future tests, Jetpack has entered into a deal with Prometheus Fuels, Inc., to use that company's 100% zero-carbon fuel.
It goes without saying that the upcoming flying bikes will also include commercial versions for military and public safety organizations. There are even “rescue aircraft” planned with space for medical equipment and… injured people.
The prices are obviously high: JPA sets an initial price for the consumer versions at around 350.000 euros, $ 381.000.
