London is one of the world's most congested cities. Taking a cab from Heathrow Airport to the city center can easily take two hours. But according to CNN in "Jetpod vision a lift for commuters," a U. K. company is developing small twin-jet aircrafts which need only 125 meters to take off and 300 meters to land. The first test flights of the Jetpods should take place in 2006. And, in 2010, it should take you just a few minutes to go from Heathrow to Big Ben for a price of about $90, similar to the one of a traditional taxi. The company expects the Jetpods to be used in other cities,such as Tokyo or New York. And it's also planning personal, military and medical versions of these aircrafts. Read more.
Here are some details provided by CNN.
Perhaps motivated by the misery of traveling to work in one of the world's most congested cities, London-based Avcen have unveiled plans to develop jetpods -- small twin-jet aircraft capable of taking off and landing over much shorter distances than conventional light aircraft.
Using thrust management technology, the VQSTOL (Very Quiet Short Take-off and Landing) jetpod also reduces the noise of a regular jet engine by 50 percent, making it more comparable to a busy road.
And with a cruising speed of 350 miles per hour, the jetpod would be both quicker and quieter than a helicopter.
The illustrations below show some of the models envisioned by the company. You'll find more details on this page (Credit for illustrations: Avcen).
The Jetpod T-100 is the taxi version, able to carry 5 passengers and to do 50 landings per day.
The lowest and vilest alleys of london do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)
The Jetpod P-200 is a personalized version for people who can afford a $1 million price tag.
The Jetpod M-300 is a battlefield aircraft, which also could be used to carry injured soldiers to fospitals.
And finally, the Jetpod U-500 is an unmanned version with advanced flight control stability systems and the ability to hover. It could be used for rescuing someone for example.
Now, how will we use these flying cabs?
Requiring just 125 meters to take off and 300 meters to land, Avcen hopes busy city centers will embrace the jetpod, building elevated runways above harbors, roads and railway tracks to handle arrivals and departures from "park-and-fly" terminals located in the suburbs.
With the jetpod able to make up to 50 landings a day, Avcen also believes its ability to make multiple journeys will keep prices down.
For instance, a journey from London's Heathrow Airport to the city center, a matter of a few minutes by jetpod, might cost around $90 -- comparable to an existing taxi fare.
Consider the China pride and stagnant self-complacency of mankind. This generation inclines a little to congratulate itself on being the last of an illustrious line; and in Boston and london and Paris and Rome, thinking of its long descent, it speaks of its progress in art and science and literature with satisfaction.... It is the good Adam contemplating his own virtue.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
The first aircrafts should be tested in 2006 and enter the flying market in 2010. And as you saw above, Avcen is also developing personal, medical and military version. I bet that many hotshots in London will be happy to pay $1 million to get a Jetpod and avoid the infamous London traffic jams.
Sources: Simon Hooper, for CNN, November 18, 2004; Avcen Aviation website
Related stories can be found in the following categories.
Future
Military Applications
Transportation.