A rendering of flying motorcycle, named Speeder. Courtesy of JetPack Aviation
Will Star Wars-style motorcycles fly overhead midway through 2020? That sounds like nonsense to many. But a U.S. start-up vows to sell the products next year.

The firm is JetPack Aviation (JPA), which gained spotlights over the past few years thanks to its Iron Man-like jet-pack, a backpack-mounted jet engines designed for personal flight.

The California-based aerospace company put a teaser video clip on Youtube this month. The outfit claims that the flying bike, named Speeder, can fly at the speed of 240 kilometers per hour for 10-22 minutes and as high as 4.5 kilometers.

JPA is even taking pre-orders. A potential buyer has to put down a $10,000 deposit and pay an additional $380,000 to purchase the full deal. The eventual cost may go up as it is “subject to indexed price escalation to delivery data, and options chosen.”

“JPA’s Recreational Speeder represents the ultimate in personal transport. It is fully vertical-take-off-and-landing capable and can effectively take off from anywhere the size of a small car space,” the company said in its website.

“Originally intended only for military, government and commercial clients, JPA is also designing a version of the Speeder for the recreational market. It will be lighter than most 125cc motorcycles, fully stabilized and simple to fly.”

JPA, which plans to build only 20 Recreational Speeders, strives to make them available next year. But people are seemingly suspicious of the timeline.

A pilot flys with a backpack mounted pair of jet engines. Courtesy of JetPack Aviation

“Very cool. My problem with developers of these vehicles are that they are in a perpetual state of development and never get to a point of selling vehicles,” an internet user said after seeing the Speeder video clip.

“There is always a newer, better model in development, but never one that can be sold. Then, inevitably funding dries up, because investors want returns, and the developer becomes a memory.”

Another said that “Preorder now, and you will have it 20 or 30 years later.”

 
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