A five-minute primer on an issue making headlines
Jetpods will be the air taxis of the future, according to Hong Kong property tycoon and racehorse owner Charles Ming Ka-fook who revealed last week that he, along with a partner, had bought a $27.1 million stake in a British company, Avcen, designing the futuristic aircraft.
It sounds like something from The Jetsons. What exactly is it?
A Jetpod is a quiet, low-flying, winged aircraft, with two engines, that can take off on short runways. It is described as a 'very quiet short takeoff and landing aircraft' that can reach cruising speeds of up to 550km/h. It needs a takeoff strip a mere 125 metres long and a landing strip of 300 metres long.
So far, so Blade Runner. Isn't this all just science-fiction?
According to its manufacturers and backers, it is science-fact. It is supposed to start production at the end of this year and will produce 165 in its first year and 225 in the second.
Could Jetpods replace cars?