The idea is to lose all the hassle when flying.

That means no airport tax, minimal security issues and no passport control.

Winning.

Even better, it also means jumping in and out of a plane like those fancy pants peeps do with their private helicopters, but with faster travel time to international destinations.

Keen? Curious? Both? Let’s hit it.

According to CNN, the UK-based mastermind behind a new high-tech plane called the Starling Jet is SAMAD Aerospace.

They have developed a high speed aircraft, which seats four passengers plus a pilot, and uses vertical take off and landing for maximum efficiency and effortless cool.

Once in the air, the Starling Jet travels at speeds of 724 kph. For comparison, a commercial jet aircraft cruises at around 740 – 930 kph.

The plane was unveiled at the Singapore Air Show in January and, although it is still being perfected, is set to soar through the skies by 2020:

“Our dream is to revolutionize the way humans and goods fly around the world,” says SAMAD CEO Seyed Mohseni in a statement. “Imagine a transportation which is safer than a car, completely flexible, as eco-friendly as an electric vehicle, less time consuming than any plane or train and as luxurious as a private jet.”

Ideally suited to politicians and big corporations, thanks to its speed and luxurious amenities, it is also super on trend when it comes to being eco-friendly:

It’s creators say it’ll emit less C02 due to hybrid engines offering electric and diesel propulsion. The UAV Starling is also fully electric and being pitched as perfect for transportation and observatory missions.

At a production cost of around $125 million (R1,5 billion), Mohseni’s confident it’ll become a reality.

I guess soon we might say goodbye to clear blue skies, and hello to helicopter jets.

[source:cnn]