Future flight: Electric aircraft or personal jetpack?

Two designs of future aircraft publicised this week illustrate contrasting visions for the future of flight. The first is a petrol-powered personal jetpack that manages 5mpg, whilst the other is a concept design zero-emissions electric airship able to carry multiple passengers.

The Zep’lin is a result of crystal ball gazing by industrial designer Damien Grossemy during his recent stint at Renault.

The aircraft would use a flexible wing and rudder system to enable it to tilt thereby exposing its solar panels to the Sun’s rays.

In contrast, the £57,000 Martin Jetpack is powered by a 2-litre, 2-stroke engine able to run on regular petrol, a range of 30 miles and went on sale this week.

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A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The jetpack is a marvel of technology, but in environmental terms it is a backwards step for personal transport since it produces as much noise and air pollution as a supercar.”

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The world’s first solar-powered aircraft made its first hop into the air during testing late last year, but a commercial application many years away – certainly too far off to help meet impending emissions targets.

A spokesperson for the ETA said: “Aircraft are becoming more efficient, but not quickly enough to justify huge increases in flying.”