Personal flying machines a giant leap for mankind?

The video released by Silicon Valley start-up Kitty Hawk of a “personal flying machine” along with plans of deliveries by the end of the year promises to bring the long-held human dream of personal flight to fruition. The epics make mention of such devices, even Leonardo da Vinci visualised a flying machine, and the Wright Brothers may have invented the world’s first successful airplane. But Kitty Hawk, aptly named after the town in North Carolina where the Wright Brothers made their first flight, injects a new revolutionary dimension to the idea of personal flight. From the video, it is evident that the pilot/driver requires little training and does not have to take the machine to a great height as is required for conventional flying machines. In one stroke, this invention, which looks like a drone, has the potential to drive cars and other passenger vehicles to obsolescence.

The craft, is propelled by eight rotors, takes off and lands vertically, like a helicopter, and can even land on water. It reportedly weighs just 100 kilograms and can fly at speeds of 40 kmph and hovers at 15 feet (4.5 meters) height.

More importantly, it is an electric vehicle, and hence cleaner. The possibility of flying without being hampered by vehicular traffic on roads has stirred much excitement. The stuff of science fiction movies and books is beginning to happen right before our eyes and at breathtaking speed. But despite becoming the first off the block, Kitty Hawk may not become the first past the post. Most airline manufacturers are also working on personal flying machines.

Kitty Hawk has claimed that flying the craft requires under two hours of training and a pilot licence is not required. It may be too early to say goodbye to cars yet, but the future is here, and how.