The dream of personal flight is rapidly becoming a tangible reality with the emergence of Personal Drones For Transportation. Leading this innovative field is the Jetson One, a single-seat electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which made waves last year with its public demonstration. Boasting a range of approximately 30 kilometers and top speeds reaching 99 kilometers per hour, the Jetson One presents a compelling vision for personal urban mobility, effectively bypassing ground-level traffic congestion.
While immediate grocery runs might not be feasible due to its single-passenger design, the Jetson One represents a significant leap towards individual air travel. Currently, factors such as a maximum pilot payload of 85kg and limited production numbers are influencing the accessibility of personal passenger drones. Initially launched and completely sold out in October of last year, the landscape is set to change.
A substantial $17 million investment injection has empowered the company to expand, leading to the acquisition of a new development facility in Northern Italy. This expansion signals a move towards increased production and broader availability of these personal transportation drones.
Customers who have already placed orders and are on the waiting list are anticipated to receive invitations to the new eVTOL center in early 2023. This facility will offer them the unique opportunity to test-fly their purchased personal drones in the favorable flight conditions of Tuscany. The company highlighted the advantages of the new location, stating, “The Tuscan climate allows for perfect flight testing conditions, and the 800-meter airstrip ensures continuous daily flight operations.”
The demonstration of this novel personal aircraft took place at their new base in Arezzo, Italy, showcasing its capabilities. Peter Ternström, co-founder of Jetson, emphasized the distinct flying sensation, noting its difference from conventional aircraft: “The first time I flew it, it felt amazing — it’s completely vibration-free, unlike a helicopter or airplane.”
Founded in 2017 by Ternström and Tomasz Patan, Jetson is now on the cusp of delivering its first personal drones to eager pilots worldwide in the coming months. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans, including designs for personal drones capable of carrying multiple passengers and a “four-seater flying car” aimed at competing with traditional road transport within the next decade.
However, the current generation of single-passenger personal drones faces certain operational limitations. Regulatory frameworks from local civil aviation authorities restrict their use, currently prohibiting flights within urban centers. With a flight duration of 20 minutes on a two-hour charge, and a practical range comparable to traveling from Auckland CBD to Whangaparāoa, the immediate practicality is still developing. Despite these constraints, Ternström points out that practicality wasn’t the primary driver for the initial wave of customers of this electric “sports car” of the skies. He playfully suggests the novelty, “Imagine turning up to a suburban McDonald’s in one of these!”
The Broader Future of Personal Air Mobility
The concept of electric VTOL aircraft and personal drones for transportation extends beyond individual recreational use. Significant investment is flowing into the sector, indicating a strong belief in its future potential. United Airlines, for instance, recently placed an order for 200 electric flying machines, demonstrating confidence in this emerging technology. Their $25 million investment in Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, included a “conditional purchase agreement.”
While regulatory clearances for passenger transport from bodies like the FAA are still pending, these investments signify a strong vote of confidence in the future of personal air transport. United Airlines’ investment arm explicitly stated that this move aligns with the company’s overarching goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050, highlighting the sustainable potential of personal drones for transportation.
