Will.i.am-Backed Flying Vehicle Company Makes First US Flight

The flying vehicle company funded by singer, songwriter and technology entrepreneur Will.i.am made its first manned flight in the U.S.

The Jetson One eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle was flown from a ranch in Westlake, Texas, by Tomasz Patan, Jetson co-founder and chief technology officer.

This is not the first time a personal aerial vehicle was flown in the U.S., as others already have been doing for some time during development phases.

For example, Ryse Aero Tech from Ohio has taken its electric aerial vehicle (EAV) to numerous events and even flown it at CES in Las Vegas. CEO Mark Kowitz, who also is a private pilot, has flown the Ryse aerial vehicle Recon many miles and has even taken off and landed on water.

And Doroni Aerospace CEO Doron Merdinger has flown its personal air vehicle in Florida.

Jetson was popularized recently when Will.i.am announced he was part of the $15 million seed funding Jetson received.

More than 300 Jetson One eVTOL vehicles have been ordered at $98,000 per vehicle, according to the company.

The Jetson One had been flown in other countries, but never in the U.S.

“The team was very excited to learn we are going to make this historic flight using our original concept vehicle,” said Tomasz Patan, Jetson co-founder and chief technology officer. “It felt incredible to climb inside the cockpit and perform a demo flight of our nimble flying Formula 1 car.”

Related:Will.i.am Funds Flying Car Company; $15M Invested

Will.i.am plans to train to become one of Jetson’s first pilots, according to the company, which operates at a private airfield south of Florence. 

“I’m proud to be a part of the Jetson family and support the company’s mission to democratize flight, opening the skies to all,” Will.i.am said at the financing announcement. “Personal aircraft ideal for short point-to-point flights will soon be a reality.”

Besides having been the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas, Will.i.am has designed and manufactured custom cars with futuristic features working with Mercedes-Benz and DeLorean.

The Jetson One EAV is in the light plane category, which does not require a pilot license to fly and has certain limitations, such as not being capable of flying faster than 63 mph.

Other forms of eVTOL vehicles also are under development, though that passenger-carrying category requires more stringent rules and regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

Those include electric flying taxis and EAVs for personal use that require a pilot license, at least until the FAA details new training requirements for such vehicles.

Related:Electric Flying Vehicle Lands, Takes Off on Water

Major airlines including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines all have placed orders or pre-orders for electric aerial vehicles.

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