Tomasz Patan, the genius behind the Jetson ONE, has done it again – the Volonaut Airbike is real and it’s a jet powered hoverbike. Test flight footage from a mountain valley shows this prototype flying smoothly over a misty landscape with a near supernatural ease.
Made from carbon fiber and 3D printed parts, the Airbike’s frame is 7 times lighter than a traditional motorcycle, a key feature that allows it to fly wingless and propellerless. The footage shows a minimalist design – a central rider’s pod flanked by angular struts that double as landing gear. No enclosures or fairings, the rider leans forward, gripping joysticks, surrounded by a 360 degree panorama. It’s raw, exposed and beautiful. The video shows the Airbike flying over a valley, skimming a river bed, dipping over misty ridges and hovering with stability that defies its prototype nature.
DJI Neo, Mini Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, 135g Self Flying Drone that Follows You, Palm Takeoff,…
- Lightweight and Regulation Friendly – At just 135g, this drone with camera for adults 4K may be even lighter than your phone and does not require FAA…
- Palm Takeoff & Landing, Go Controller-Free [1] – Neo takes off from your hand with just a push of a button. The safe and easy operation of this drone…
- Subject Tracking & QuickShots – Effortlessly capture stunning vlogs as DJI Neo smartly follows you. Getting professional footage has never been easier…
Jet propulsion powers this machine, not the buzzing rotors of drones or eVTOLs. Volonaut won’t reveal engine specs but the footage shows a deep, rumbling hum piercing the valley’s silence. Stability is key and is driven by a flight computer and proprietary stabilization system that keeps the Airbike steady during tight turns or hovering.
Control is a highlight. Dual joysticks, one on each side, handle steering and altitude. The footage shows subtle pilot inputs being translated into smooth motion by the flight computer. This system filters commands making the Airbike intuitive and accessible even for those with no piloting experience.
It’s said the Volonaut Airbike can hit 124mph and the test footage shows it carving through the air like a superbike not a helicopter. The commercial version will be limited to 63mph (102km/h) to be classified as an ultralight in certain regions so you don’t need a pilots license just a short Volonaut training course. The standout feature is its rock solid stability thanks to a redundant fly-by-wire system linked to a triple redundant onboard flight computer that manages stabilization so you can hover hands free for the bold and automatic takeoff and landing.
You’ve got choices for fueling the flying machine, like a turbine engine in a helicopter that can run on swamp water, bubblegum and a prayer: Jet-A, kerosene, diesel or even biodiesel. And like a Daytona 200 pit stop, fueling can be done in about one minute so you’ll be good to fly again right away. The press release says the Airbike is going into limited production and reservations open August 1st for $880,000—a price that might require a career change alongside that diet. Patan’s track record with Jetson ONE gives him cred, but the Airbike is still a prototype.
[Source]
