You may think of the Wright brothers’ first flight in 1903 as the moment when humans broke free of the bounds of Earth’s gravity. In fact, it was two Frenchmen, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent, who successfully conducted the first manned flight in a hot air balloon back in 1783. Almost two and a half centuries later, balloons will carry space tourists into the high stratosphere as aerospace companies like Spain’s Halo Space, France’s Zephalto and Florida’s Space Perspective work towards earning commercial licenses that could come as early as 2025.

“It is a completely different space-going experience,” Space Perspective Co-founder Jane Poynter told Jetset. Attached to advanced stratospheric “space” balloons, specially designed luxury capsules, like Space Perspective’s Neptune, will travel at around 12 miles per-hour on a six-hour journey from the surface of the planet 100,000 feet into the stratosphere before descending back to Earth. Poynter said the gradual ascent will allow people’s minds to adjust to the scale change of geography like the Florida peninsula as the famous landmass slowly shrinks. Such conditions lead to the “overview effect,” which NASA describes as a powerful shift in the way space travelers think about Earth and their place in the cosmos.

People inside Space Perspective’s Neptune spaceship will experience the same gravity as on Earth, as well as little to no turbulence, Poynter said. During the journey’s apex, passengers will be able to see the Earth’s blue curvature through 360-degree panoramic windows. The capsule also comes equipped with the amenities you would expect from a private jet, including Wi-Fi connectivity (for those selfies in space), a stocked bar and the finest gourmet cuisine served during the flight. A trip aboard space balloon Neptune can also be customized for those who want to buy out an entire flight for their family and friends. According to Poynter, clients have expressed interest in releasing albums from space, hosting weddings and even bringing their pianos onboard. “Some of our customers want to really dig in,” she said.

Compared to propulsion-based spacecraft developed by SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Atlantic, space balloons will not require intensive physical preparation before flying. People healthy enough to board a commercial jet will be able to fly aboard a space balloon, Poynter explained. Space Perspective is aiming to start commercial flights by 2025, according to Poytner, who said she expects the $125,000 ticket prices to rise, given the overwhelming demand to travel to space. Half the tickets sold, she said, are buyouts of the entire trip.

Halo Space and Zephalto’s spacecraft follow a similar flight pattern. It will take around four hours to reach the highest level of the journey, the apogee, where passengers will escape approximately 99 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere. Although technically still in the stratosphere, the altitude will make it seem as though they are floating above the Earth, according to Halo Space’s website, promising an accessible, cheaper way to experience views a relative few have ever witnessed. Like Space Perspective’s Neptune, these other capsules are also designed to enhance the view from the high stratosphere and promote a comfortable, social atmosphere.

Halo Space has teamed up with automotive designer Frank Stephenson, the designer behind the Ferrari FXX and McLaren P1 supercars, for the interior of its capsule, Aurora. The overall design is meant to blend the aesthetics of a space shuttle with the comforts of a modern lounge. Sweeping panoramic windows offer an intimate connection to the view outside, “further amplifying the feeling of peace as passengers gaze upon Earth,” CEO of Halo Space, Carlos Mira, told Jetset. The Aurora can carry eight passengers and one pilot inside the luxurious, 30-square foot cabin

The company promises an immersive experience even beyond the trip to the stratosphere, with the desert sands of Saudi Arabia acting as launch site and stunning backdrop. The desert offers a stark contrast to the encroaching darkness passengers will experience at the edge of space. Halo Space also plans to operate out of Spain, Australia and the United States, with the company planning to begin its  commercial operations in 2026. Initial prices are expected to be around $160,000.

Inspired by “art de vivre,” or “the knowledge of how to enjoy life,” Zephalto’s Céleste capsule’s minimalist approach is born out of a partnership between Zephalto and interior designer Joseph Dirand for both the interior and exterior of the capsule. Vincent Farret D’Asties, founder of Zephalto, told Jetset the design “emphasizes formal simplicity, with clean lines, practical spatial arrangements and adaptable seating, creating a cocoon-like environment.” Inside, the textures and fabrics are meant to “envelop guests in comfort and tranquility” within a neutral color palette of creams and beiges.

The view from Céleste is the focal point of the experience, according to Farret D’Asties.

The capsule’s interior is designed for a contemplative experience—promoting total immersion in observing the Earth 15.5 miles into the stratosphere. Flights will start at roughly €170,000 euros or a little under $190,000. The company plans to begin commercial flights in 2025, with all flights already fully booked. Zephalto initially plans six flights a year.

Safety and Testing

Of course, any passengers hoping to fulfill their dream of reaching space want to ensure that the trip is safe. As recently as September 2024, Space Perspective broke into the news when it successfully completed its first unmanned test flight. Poynter said the data from these test flights will be studied and shared with the FAA to ensure the spacecraft is safe and ready to fly. Space Perspective looks to earn certification from the FAA so it may operate as a commercial space company.

Zephalto and Halo Space are also conducting test flights as they prepare to test their own capsules and earn certification to operate commercially. These companies will have pilots onboard with the overall flight automated and closely monitored from Earth. The capsules have parachutes built into the capsule in the event that the stratosphere balloons fail.

Zepahtlo said that its tests have been successful as they develop higher flights with larger sized balloons, with the goal of conducting manned tests in the near future. Halo Space, with a projected 2026 launch date, said the company is fully committed to the highest standards in aerospace safety as they test the capsule and balloon systems.

In her conversation with Jetset, Poynter highlighted the proven track record of space ballooning, noting that since NASA and the European Space Agency began using balloons to conduct research, none has ever experienced inflight failure. Neptune’s capsule will be equipped with four parachutes to ensure a safe return to Earth, making for a safe way of going to space.

“Every astronaut I have spoken to that has flown to this altitude has described the experience with enormous reverence,” Poynter said. “They often talk about seeing the curvature of our planet, that thin blue line of atmosphere set against the stark blackness of space as a transformative experience.”

The post Space Tourism’s Next Frontier appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

In the world of aviation, only military pilots flying jets like Lockheed’s F35 or its predecessor, British Aerospace’s Sea Harrier, typically experience vertical take-off and landing. The gravity-defying maneuver inspires a sense of wonder. Since vertical flight is usually the domain of helicopters, how can a fixed-wing jet go vertical? The answer is thrust vectoring, or the aircraft’s ability to control the thrust of its jet engines.

This is the technology underpinning the Lilium Jet, an electric jet prototype being built by the German aerospace company Lilium. By directing the thrust of its 30-battery electric motors, this zero-emission, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) can land on a helipad after soaring through the skies at 170 miles per hour. Lilium’s Head of Partnerships and Public Affairs, Matt Broffman, told Jetset that the Lilium Jet is for VIPs who want “to reduce their environmental impact” without sacrificing the experience of luxury private air travel. In other words, if you are working in Manhattan, New York and want to catch a concert in Philadelphia, a Lilium Jet will fly you and your party over New Jersey to a nearby vertiport in Philly, where it will tap into a liquid cooled charger.

Lilium is actively developing different versions of its Lilium Jet prototype, including a seven-seater air taxi variation and their Pioneer Edition aircraft: a five-seater version built for private ownership. The $10 million Pioneer Edition will have a range of around 90 miles and recharge in about 45 minutes, according to Broffman. The electric jet also has ducted engines that result in a quiet aircraft, making it ideal for navigating densely-populated urban spaces. According to Broffman, the Pioneer Edition is slated to hit the skies in 2026 as the company actively seeks certification with both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA).

Earlier this year, a full-scale mockup of the Pioneer Edition aircraft was unveiled at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. Set inside a white fuselage, the Pioneer Edition’s cabin’s interior is luminous with a minimalistic, sci-fi design. Separated by a door from the four-person configurable cabin, the cockpit resembles the flight simulators used to train military pilots. In total, the aircraft will be capable of transporting four passengers, one pilot and 200 lbs. worth of luggage, Broffman said. The mockup cabin will be “virtually identical” to those that will be included in the fifty Pioneer Edition jets set to be delivered to private owners upon the aircraft’s release. So far, the Lilium Jet prototype has successfully completed remote test flights and has its first piloted trial scheduled for the end of 2024.

In the meantime, Lilium is eyeing the Northeast, Southern California and Florida as its areas of operation in the United States. The company announced it will operate its network hub out of a vertiport attached to the Orlando International Airport in Central Florida, while also striking a deal with UrbanLink for twenty Lilium jets to operate out of South Florida. In Europe, Lilium will fly in both Britain and continental Europe—with the company building partnerships with charter companies operating out of locations such as the greater London area and France. Lilium’s partnership with UrbanV will allow the German company to ferry travelers around the French Riviera from a vertiport network centered around the Nice Côte d’Azur airport in Nice, France.

Battery Upgrades

The impending release of this electric jet positions Lilium’s eVTOL to compete with gas guzzling helicopter charters and luxury car services that have been the primary means of transporting VIPs between cities. Compared to other business aviation options like helicopter chartering, the Lilium’s 90-mile range upon release presents some challenges. Luxury helicopters running on aviation fuel, like the Airbus ACH130, cost a little more than three million dollars and have an operating range of around 400 miles. Lilium expects its batteries to become more powerful with each upgraded version.

Lilium is aiming for a yearly increase of 4.5 percent battery energy density, Broffman noted. That means the aircraft could potentially have an operating range of 170 miles in 2030 and 250 miles in 2035. He also confirmed to Jetset that owners will also be able to upgrade their lithium ion battery packs as new iterations are developed and manufactured. These new power plants will result in increasing the range and speed of the Lilium jet. Not only will passengers be able to travel farther on one charge, Broffman explained, but the speed of the jet will also receive a nice boost during its horizontal cruising flight.

The release of the mockup at EBACE 2024 represents a milestone for the company, Broffman told Jetset. It brings the Lilium Jet prototype closer to a realized aircraft, ready for its owners. This sentiment was echoed by Sebastien Borel, the company’s chief commercial officer, who was present as visitors and the media walked through the mockup of the Pioneer Edition model. In an interview with EBACE TV, Borel said targeting premium customers will get the Lilium Jet to the mass market. “We want to get sustainable aviation going,” Borel said. “People now believe we can actually replace a helicopter with our aircraft.”

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Interior of Dassault Flacon 10X

Time drags on when you’re confined to a small seat inside a commercial aircraft. Sleep is elusive and your favorite Nicholas Cage film has only occupied 90 minutes of an overnight flight. However, for those flying privately in 2024, a trip from New York to London aboard aircraft like the Dassault Falcon 10X can feel like you’re spending the night comfortably in an exotic penthouse.

Dassault Aviation is one company in a competitive field offering purpose-built aircraft ready to host custom luxury interiors. In the private aviation world, given the space restrictions of a jet cabin’s dimensions, it takes a significant investment and talent by industry-leading designers to craft a truly exceptional concept. But when done right, the results are an enchanting atmosphere built around “the client’s personality, their way of life, and their own tastes and desires,” Pietro Scaglione, CEO of PINTO Design, told Jetset.

These premier interiors feature a thematic design tailored to the client: a bespoke approach to luxury private aviation. Multifunctional layouts mean flyers can use the lounge for business, rest or relaxation. Many aircraft include estate bedrooms, state-of-the-art entertainment systems, and lounges meant to accommodate whole families and parties of friends. Each cabin is an extension of its owner’s mission in life, with every square inch of cabin design carefully considered.

Some cabins seem otherworldly, especially the Mercedes AMG “Red Pig” concept, where the collaboration with Lufthansa falls on the more masculine side of the design spectrum. It’s a flying tribute to the attitude of the 6.8-litre V8 saloon-turned race car. The cabin is built for those with a high-octane sensibility, featuring blacks, greys and whites with red accents wrapping around a space-age cabin. Moreover, this concept honors the legacy of the high-performance Mercedes-AMG through “precisely embedded carbon fiber elements as well as a characteristic seat upholstery facelift,” the company said.

Many of the most compelling bespoke cabins, however, come from smaller companies specializing in luxury interiors, like France’s PINTO and the United Kingdom’s Design Q and Lie Alonso. Their work often results in clients making their jets into a second home. Sometimes, this means just creating comfortable, low-profile dynamic spaces. Other times, it means creating interiors with a pronounced ambiance and an almost palpable aesthetic. It is all about fitting the needs of the VIP clientele and their aircraft.

Flying Artistry

The Brazilian-born twin sisters of Lie Alonso are masters of atmosphere. Unlike the Red Pig, Valeria and Diana Alonso drew upon more rejuvenating powers with their “Ancient Future” cabin design that they created for the Gulfstream G650ER business jet. Guests entering the aircraft are greeted by a laurel motif that runs through the cabin. Silk embroidery on the sidewalls adds a special touch, with the cabin invigorated by ribbed wood veneer for the bulkheads and the grey chevron-patterned doors and credenza.

A pearlized finish and purple trim on the seats enhance the ambiance and serve to complement the resplendent furniture. Specially fashioned lights make the golden tones glisten, and the carpet, with its burgundy-purple hue, functions as the centerpiece of the interior, intended to evoke the Brazilian primavera flower, noted Lie Alonso.

Lie Alonso Dynasty – Bespoke Luxury – New Golden Era – Exoticism & the Ancient Future

Lie Alonso Dynasty – Private Jet Design – Gulfstream G650ER – Law of Opulence

Lie Alonso Dynasty – Bespoke Luxury – New Golden Era – Ancient Future

Flyers aboard the G650ER will also find a private room in the aft part of the plane—a retreat for those seeking sanctuary. The lounge area in the body of the Gulfstream’s approximately 46-foot-long cabin, which measures over six feet high and eight feet wide, functions as both a work area and a place of leisure designed for a range of activities.

The goal, Lie Alonso said, was not merely to design an interior, but to make the interior itself a work of art, one embodying the company’s Ancient Future design philosophy: “Abundance and beauty are powerful aspects of our existence, waiting to be unlocked to enrich and celebrate our experiences.”

Dynamic Space

Howard Guy, CEO of Design Q, told Jetset that when his company broke into the private interior design game back in 2005, he found private aviation interiors seriously lacking. Instead of the dynamic cabin experiences of today, most private aircraft were drab and set in boring beige, with little thought as to how a VIP might want to experience space aboard a private jet, Guy said. He credits Design Q’s experience working with cars as giving the company the needed chops to create a “slick environment” in smaller spaces. He said he wanted to bring the same standard of luxury clients experienced inside a Bentley to the cabin of a private jet.

Today, Design Q’s work can be found within the Bombardier Global 7000 airframe. The Global 7000 is a state-of-the-art private jet with a range of 7,700 nm and the capability to fly near Mach speed with up to 19 passengers. The prototype mockup for the 54-foot by 8-foot aircraft demonstrates how a jet’s interior can be transformed into a dynamic cabin that ultimately functions as a home away from home for many of its VIP owners.

The Global 7000 mockup conveys a mood of contemporary business luxury. The layout features a stately bedroom with a king size bed, a bathroom straight out of a penthouse and an enclave designed for business and leisure, where passengers can view films in ultra-comfortable leather seating. Like Lie Alonso’s concept, Design Q focuses on fine materials like silk carpets and stone countertops. Lighting intensifies the ambiance with contemporary tones set against hardwood floors, as well as satin and gloss wood veneers throughout the cabin. Wood finishes and rows of leather seating make for the perfect place to conduct business before cracking open that champagne.

In the end, there’s no reason not to celebrate when flying privately aboard a Bombardier, Dassault or Gulfstream amidst the most captivating interiors the industry has to offer. Because “it’s a bit like theater,” Guy said. You take a VIP, “work with their character and give them something they have not seen before.” This results in a travel experience that is savored, not endured.

The post Interior Motives: Designers Bring Luxury to Private Aviation appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Damen Yachting’s SeaXplorer Pink Shadow leads the charge of new expedition vessels.

Hear the word “yacht” and you are likely to envision a large pleasure boat anchored somewhere in paradise. Your favorite movie star is sipping champagne, surrounded by bikini-clad women and shirtless dudes snapping selfies. Guests returning from the Cannes Film Festival step off the ship’s helicopter and onto the helipad, ready to join the party.

But for VIPs eager to escape the long lens of the paparazzi, yachting has become a source of thrill-seeking and exploration. From scattered tropical islands, to the depths of the ocean, and even to faraway continents, adventurers can live out their dreams in an explorer-class superyacht like the SeaXplorer Pink Shadow, or the forthcoming Admiral Momentum Explorer 50 and Ocean Independence Aluna 127.

“To sit there in absolute silence among an Antarctic landscape, and to have a whale surface right beside your tender, is a deeply moving experience,” Rob McCallum, a seasoned ocean explorer and professional guide, told Jetset. McCallum has led hundreds of expeditions to Antarctica, and in one memorable trip as a submersible coordinator, he helped James Cameron reach Challenger Deep inside the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean.

The native New Zealander is the co-founder of EYOS, a company that plans and oversees expeditions to remote and unforgiving environments throughout the globe. He said realizing a client’s dream adventure depends on intensive planning that begins with the right ship for the mission. McCallum and EYOS have lent their expertise to the Dutch shipbuilders Damen Yachting, resulting in the SeaXplorer class of expedition vessels—a breed of explorer superyachts designed to thrive in the most challenging seas.

Pink Shadow

Damen Yachting’s SeaXplorer Pink Shadow is more navy destroyer than pleasure boat. Coming in at 58.00 meters in length (190 ft) and capable of 14.5 knots with a range of 5,000 nautical miles, the Pink Shadow is the yacht a Bond villain might charter on holiday. The ship’s exterior features midnight blacks and brooding grays combined with touches of metallic green and silver. A helipad is supported by an aluminum superstructure, and a steel hull makes the ship ideal in all maritime environments.

The Pink Shadow is a Polar Code B compliant vessel—meaning it is excellent at navigating the icy waters of Antarctica and able to withstand flooding that could potentially result from ice penetrating the hull of the ship. The Pink Shadow is also designed to operate far away from port resupply for weeks at a time.

With all its capabilities, the Pink Shadow is still prime luxury—comfortably accommodating 12 guests in six suites and housing a crew of 17 plus the captain. A jacuzzi overlooking the helipad ensures guests can warm up after a day of adventure that might include inland heli-skiing, surveying wildlife or exploring the depths of the Antarctic Ocean floor in a submersible. And like all explorer yachts, the Pink Shadow promises a wide range of toys, including two multi-role tenders, motorcycles, vehicles for both road and off-road use and a custom 11.4-meter performance sailboat.

Explorer Versatility

An explorer yacht must provide a thrilling experience in three kinds of settings: tropical (think the Caribbean or South Pacific), Arctic and Antarctic, and VIP destinations like the Cannes Film festival or an F1 Race in Monaco. The idea is to experience the best of the open seas on your own terms. Explorer vessels are designed by shipbuilders to fit the specific desire and needs of owners, making for a variety of explorer-class superyachts.

Take the Admiral Momentum Explorer 50, expected to reach 164 feet (50 meters) and under construction by Fraser Yachting, USA. It has a white exterior with windows wrapping around the hull, providing panoramic views throughout the ship. Planned to comfortably accommodate five guests in ten cabins, the ship is designed for tendering, with watercraft stored on its aft deck. The Admiral Momentum 50 also features large amounts of deck space and an observation lounge and sky bar.

Explorer yachts also come in the support variety, like the Project Aluna 127. Scheduled for completion by 2025, this vessel can supplement the largest superyachts or function independently as a stand-alone explorer yacht accommodating 10 passengers in five cabins. The owner’s suite has an attached terrace. Moreover, at 128 feet (39 meters) long and 30 feet (9.1 meters) wide, this superyacht, built by FDC Yachts of Turkey, features an expansive deck for entertaining and has a large load capacity for essential toys like jet skis and sailboats. This will make the Aluna 127 an ideal adventure platform to assist an owner’s primary superyacht that lacks the capabilities and design priorities of an explorer yacht.

Deep Sea Exploration

In 2019, McCallum was involved in another Challenger Deep dive as part of the Five Deeps Expedition team of ocean experts. The expedition, led by EYOS, helped billionaire equity investor Victor Vescovo fulfill his dream to explore the deepest location in all five of the world’s oceans, including the Mariana Trench. Five Deeps accomplished all its objectives with everyone leaving as good friends, McCallum recalled.

In total, EYOS has run over 1,200 expeditions worldwide, including operating up to ten ships at a time in Antarctic waters during the summer months when there’s less ice, more light, and plenty of wildlife to experience. These trips to Antarctica—which run for approximately two weeks—include cross country skiing in the Zodiacs, heli-skiing and even the occasional polar plunge into the frigid waters.

McCallum said interest in expedition tourism has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting global lockdown. He says clients, now more than ever, are hungry for generating memories through adventure.

“They see that this is not stage managed, not scripted. You can almost see it being seared into the memory,” McCallum said. “These are busy and successful people. When they’re out with us, they have the chance to disconnect and focus directly on the experience before them.”

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Doroni CEO, Doron Merdinger, inside the H1 Hummingbird

In the 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon by the French novelist Jules Verne, American Civil War veterans invent a huge cannon capable of launching a projectile that can carry three men to the lunar surface. The book, and the film adaptation that later followed, took hold of the popular imagination and inspired generations to come. A little over a century after Verne published his story, three Americans astronauts perched atop a rocket and successfully completed the first manned mission to the moon.

What was a pure fantasy became reality when rocketry, computers and other scientific advancements caught up with Verne’s imaginative vision of space travel. Today, as humans navigate the 21st century, a new technology born of science fiction will also become reality: flying cars. These zero emission, high-mobility flyers, which go by the acronym eVTOL, Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing vehicles, are set to transform travel.

Doroni H1 Hummingbird

One such flying car is Doroni Aerospace’s H1 “Hummingbird,” a two-seat vehicle accommodating both pilot and passenger that recently was certified by the FAA and is slated to be released in 2025. It is designed to live in a two-car garage and does not require a pilot’s license to fly from home.

“For those of us who are geeks and are passionate about creating the world, we knew flying cars were coming,” Doron Merdinger, CEO of Doroni Aerospace, told Jetset Magazine. “The biggest question was: ‘how would they work’?

Merdinger said it was the combination of drone and EV battery technology that provided the practical means to produce flying cars like the H1. The “Hummingbird” is better described as a hover car with its large, ducted fans and the ability to float effortlessly like its namesake bird. It has a 60-mile range, a cruising speed of hundred miles per hour, and a top speed of 140 mph, Merdinger said, adding that the H1 would fly “hundreds of feet” in the air.

Doroni’s eVTOL is also semi-autonomous, meaning it’s easy to fly with only a limited amount of flight training. The appeal is in the simplicity of flight. The driver just taxis out of the garage and after “three-clicks-of-a-button” you’re flying, Doroni said.

But the major selling point, especially for those new to recreational flight, is safety. The H1 is built out of carbon fiber, comes equipped with self-stabilizing failsafes and even has a ballistic parachute. During the prototype’s maiden flight, Merdinger piloted the H1 inside the confined space of a hangar, demonstrating the nimbleness and stability of the airframe.

“When you are flying, you just feel better,” said Merdinger. “It’s about experiencing the world. Your perception of time and space is going to change.”

Doroni has completed 70 successful manned flights so far. The company expects its first “to-market” model to be unveiled in the next couple months at a price between $300,000 and $400,000, Merdinger said.

Dawn of the eVTOL

A dreamer by nature, Merdinger, a 58 year-old father of three who lives in South Florida, was an asthmatic child growing up in Israel. Unable to participate in sports, he found himself tinkering around the house and inventing things. Hollywood movies featuring flying cars like Chitty Chitty Bang, and later The Fifth Element, captured his imagination. As an adult Merdinger was stuck in traffic one day, watching a drone fly by, when he realized the technology for a flying car had arrived. His “eureka moment” happened as he observed the toy’s agility in the air and its responsiveness to the child who operated it remotely nearby.

Merdginer said he believes the dominance of combustion cars and helicopters is coming to an end. He says eVTOsL have the potential to significantly ease the urban congestion plaguing many American cities by moving some of the ground transportation into the skies. He predicts gas-powered cars and helicopters will become obsolete due to the environmental damage they cause.

“People are frustrated by traffic jams, pollution and the destruction of the ecosystem,” Merdinger said. “Why destroy nature and create congestion in our urban spaces if you have the technology to circumvent these problems?”

Merdinger’s belief in the flying car and in eVTOL technology comes as cities and regulatory agencies prepare for an eVTOL revolution. Flying cars, air taxis and unmanned drones will undoubtedly make the skies busier, causing headaches for regulatory agencies charged with public safety. In eVTOL developer circles this is called Air Traffic Management (ATM). The hope is that safety measures like geofencing, a GPS technology used in drones to create virtual boundaries and prevent collisions, will prevent the skies from devolving into a free-for-all.

But aside from the challenges awaiting the eVTOL, leading industry companies continue to take important steps forward. Joby Aviation delivered its first eVTOL to the U.S. Air Force as part of its contract with the Department of Defense and Archer Aviation partnered with United Airlines to create the first commercial eVTOL air taxi route in Chicago. Such developments further signal that eVTOL aircraft are an inevitability.

Doroni plans on unveiling the company’s H1 market prototype sometime in the next couple of months, Merdinger said, with ‘preorder requests’ for the “Hummingbird” already totaling 370. In fact, the H1 is not alone in luring in would-be flyers clamoring to own a personal eVTOL. The ultralight, Jetson One, a one seat flying machine, reportedly has thousands of preorders.

Doroni has also raised over $4.5 million and continues to seek investment as the company heads into 2024, according to their website. Merdinger said some of the H1’s potential buyers are already planning to use a flying car to commute. Because why sit in traffic when you can fly to work every day?
“The technology is here,” said Merdinger. “Now it’s about making it happen.”

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Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 takes flight

The world today waits for no one, especially for those living a high-performance life. Every minute sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic is precious time lost. And as the saying goes, time is money. So, why stay tethered to the Earth?

In the next couple of years, you can own a highway-certified flying car with an interior finished with crafted Italian leather. Personal flight will no longer require a helipad or hangar. Instead, high-mobility flyers can live in the garage next to the 911 Turbo. Technically speaking, these aircraft go by the acronym (eVTOL), Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing vehicles. A real mouthful for a technology set to transform flight forever, these zero-emission aircraft soar like airplanes and land like helicopters.

Some eVTOL vehicles are straight out of science fiction, like the electric jet being developed by Germany’s Lilium Air Mobility. And, like helicopters, they operate on existing flight infrastructure with futuristic “veriports” planned for cities worldwide. Vertiports will change the way people navigate cities and regional spaces, with eVTOL hubs popping up around airports. For now, because of their ability to seamlessly transition from horizontal to vertical flight, eVTOL aircraft can use existing helipads.

This means eVTOL vehicles are primed to burst onto the aviation scene, where they will soon be competing for your business and positioning eVTOL aircraft as a viable alternative to helicopters.

Flying Cars

Born out of pure imagination, a vehicle like the Dutch PAL-V Liberty transforms from a highway cruising car to a gyroplane. With a range of 310 miles in 4.3 hours of flight time, the Liberty Sport Edition will soon be available for $399,000. The Liberty is a fusion of Dutch engineering and the sexy Italian interior design you would find in a Maserati—ensuring you’re riding in comfort and style as ground traffic melts away. It’s certified as a road vehicle in Europe and should achieve flight certification as early as 2024, according to the PAL-V website.

PAL-V plans on making its exclusive Pioneer Model available for purchase to 90 customers next year; the company will even help you get your flying license. In fact, 2024 is shaping up to be a huge year for personal flight, with rival companies like Jetson planning to release their own eVTOL as a pure-flight alternative. The Jetson One, starting at $98,000, is no flying car but a personal flying vehicle made of aluminum and carbon fiber and rocking eight electric motors.

It is a smaller vehicle that doesn’t need a hangar but can be stored discreetly on your property. Demonstrations of the single-seat aircraft promise an intoxicating flight experience for those wishing to cruise above their favorite landscapes with little effort. With two joysticks and a minimalist design, the Jetson One is an aircraft built for those who love to fly. It’s not hard to imagine a rancher surveying his acreage inside one of these flying machines.

Despite their space-age charisma, flying vehicles weren’t plucked from the set of Star Wars but are the product of years of engineering and the collaboration of aviation experts from across the globe. A key moment occurred in 2014, when the Vertical Flight Society (VFS) held its first symposium on “Transformative Vertical Flight.” Kenneth Swartz, regional director for the Americas at VFS, wrote about the global movement toward electrification of the air transport industry in an article published by Asian Sky (now Global Sky Media) in March 2022.

That event attracted 100 engineers, scientists and visionaries excited about the future of vertical flight. The attendees were from academia, government and industry, including large aerospace companies and Silicon Valley start-ups. Reporting in 2022, VFS found that the number of eVTOL aircraft concepts encompassed 600 designs from nearly 350 companies worldwide.

The emergence of eVTOL and advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles—like the drones we’ve become familiar with— promises an era of zero to super-low emissions for personal aircraft and an emerging market of air taxis and ridesharing. In addition, industry leaders in the eVTOL space are constructing larger aircraft than the personal vehicles showcased by PAL-V and Jetson. Their focus will revolutionize regional travel within the next couple of years.

Flying Taxis

Major eVTOL players in the air taxi space include Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Lilium, VF and the South Korean company PLANA—firms from around the globe working to make flying taxis a reality. In June, Joby officially got the green light from U.S. aviation regulators to begin testing its flying taxi prototype, according to Reuters. This critical milestone for the air taxi industry came after Joby and Toyota further cemented their partnership earlier this year, when the Japanese automaker committed to the mass production of eVTOL vehicles by agreeing to supply critical components for Joby’s flying taxi.

Joby isn’t the only firm teaming up with a major international player. Archer Aviation, a competitor to Joby, recently partnered with United Airlines to become a player in the growing business of air taxis. According to reporting by Axios in March, an eVTOL taxi service using Archer’s “Midnight” aircraft will run between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago, a helicopter facility nearby.

ARCHER’s Maker Selects

In the coming years, cities worldwide from Rome to San Antonio plan to construct vertiports to meet the imminent influx of eVTOL and other advanced vertical aircraft. In its Engineering Brief No. 105, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has outlined guidelines for the construction of these sites—in areas such as charging infrastructure and safety design principles.

While the FAA has yet to certify these low-altitude aircraft for flight, Axios has reported that the agency’s vertiport design guidelines will help airport owners, operators and cities begin development now, so the right infrastructure will be available when the aircraft are ready to launch.

Hybrid Alternative

PLANA is joining the race for the flying taxis market, introducing a seven-seater aircraft that uses a mixture of low-emission fuel and electric batteries with an impressive projected operating range of around 310 miles. PLANA showcased its ambitious aeronautical designs at the recent Drone Show Korea 2023 held in Busan, South Korea, where the company displayed a scaled-down airframe of this hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

A representative told Jetset that PLANA plans on building full-scale prototypes and hopes to conduct its first test flight in 2025. The company also aims to achieve certification with the FAA in 2028.

“Everything in the world except nature is made by someone’s imagination,” says Chief Executive Officer Braden Kim on LinkedIn. “What PLANA currently imagines is an electrically powered vertical take-off and landing-capable aircraft that allows my family and me to board with confidence.”

Sleek and Sexy

Engineering and efficiency are fun, but let’s be real: the aircraft of the future are meant to look sharp. And while some eVTOL look like supersized versions of a toy drone, others, like Vertical Aerospace’s VX4, resemble the 22nd century’s version of a Black Hawk helicopter. According to Vertical Aerospace, its machine can reach speeds of more than 200 mph and is significantly quieter than your typical gas-guzzling helicopter. Built for the air taxi market, the VX4 allows riders to traverse urban spaces in both style and comfort with a luxurious flourish.

But of all the eVTOL, one is straight out of the popular imagination: Lilium’s eVTOL jet. With no rotors in sight, this vertical liftoff and landing jet uses “ducted electric vectored thrust”—sophisticated technology that mitigates sound—in an aircraft pulled from the dreams of sci-fi nerds everywhere.

Heading into 2024, much will depend on the safety and accessibility of these aircraft, and consumers have every reason to be optimistic. Companies continue to fulfill the safety guidelines outlined by agencies like the FAA and Europe’s European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

For proof, search “eVTOL” on YouTube, and you will see a spellbinding demonstration of what the future of aviation has in store: a new world where personal electric flying machines mean we are no longer at the mercy of gravity and the slow crawl of traffic.

The post The Future of Flight: Personal Land-Air Vehicles Set to Transform Travel appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

It’s only a superyacht if it has its own chopper.

Owners of magnificent, explorer class superyachts know a helicopter is their ship’s lifeline. They provide that crucial connection to the mainland when your ship is navigating the open seas and, at any given time, can serve as a workhorse or a flying Range Rover P530.

For VIPs, business meetings or private gatherings can take place while at sea, far from the long lenses of paparazzi. Guests can arrive and depart as desired, using your helicopter. At other times, the aircraft can be used to resupply the ship or, in an emergency, become an ambulance.

And let’s be real, the best experiences, like champagne with your beloved, or surf and turf with friends, are always made better with turquoise seas as a backdrop. Flight gives superyacht owners the freedom to conduct business on the mainland before ferrying guests back to the vessel for an unforgettable Mediterranean sunset.

Fortunately, industry leading aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Bell and Sikorsky, have helicopters ready to serve on the world’s premier superyachts. They know the right aircraft allows these vessels to reach their full potential.

Here are four state-of-the-art choppers ready to ensure their superyachts provide an unrivaled adventure for its owner and guests.

Airbus ACH145

Making our list are two helicopters from Airbus, including the ACH 145, a helicopter ready to operate on today’s largest and most luxurious superyachts. The ACH 145 is a highly customizable aircraft with eight unique layouts, including a version with fine leather and wood finishes designed in collaboration with Mercedes Benz. The cabins in these aircraft also feature wide, panoramic windows, ensuring passengers can take in all the sights from 10,000 feet.

In terms of aircraft performance, these aircraft are capable of transporting as many as nine passengers at a range of up to 420 miles, according to Airbus. And with a maximum cruise speed of about 157 miles per hour, the ACH145 is the ideal transport if you’re looking to fly in friends and family for that sunset. However, if you’re a VIP with more intimate tastes, this chopper can be designed around four passengers with full amenities and space to spare.

Airbus H160

Airbus’ second helicopter on this list represents a leap forward for aircraft operating from superyachts. With a maximum speed of roughly 172 miles per hour, this medium helicopter is more environmentally friendly with reduced fuel consumption and an impressive operating range of 546 miles. And, like its sister aircraft the ACH145, this helicopter comes equipped with some impressive tech. Both the Airbus H160 and its sister the Airbus ACH145 feature advanced avionics and technology such the Helionix flight deck with its “intuitive software, synthetic vision system and four-axis automatic pilot with complete envelope protection,” resulting in class leading “precision and control” for its pilot, explains Airbus.

These features along with its reduced noise signature from its Blue Edge rotor blades make the H160 a class leading medium helicopter ready for service on a superyacht.

BELL FCX-001

Bell Flight’s FCX-001 seems to come straight out of science fiction in both its design and function. Anticipating automated flight of the future, Bell is equipping its aircraft with forward-looking design changes such as a single seat cockpit and a pilot guided by artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality.

“We see pilots of the future controlling the aircraft with the aid of augmented reality and an artificial intelligence computer assistance system,” explains Bell. Aircraft like the FCX-001 will be able to switch between a piloted mode to full auto pilot. “This is the stepping stone to the fully autonomous, unpiloted VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) air vehicles.”

The Bell FCX-001 is currently designed to hold up to 12 passengers in floating luxury and an interior that looks like it was taken out of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 : A Space Odyssey. But instead of docking with a space station, these aircraft are primed to be the perfect companion for the superyachts of the future.

Sikorsky S-76D

Last, and certainly not least, the Sikorsky S-7D, from the legendary aircraft manufacturer. Known for its military aircraft such as the Blackhawk helicopter and Marine One, the personal helicopter of the President of the United States, the S-7D is the Lockheed-owned Sikorsky’s latest commercial offering for VIP transport and superyacht operations.

As does the Airbus Ach145, the S-7D offers a range of customizations for its cabins, with the manufacturer ready to work with clients to guarantee the aircraft fits the needs and preferences of its owners, according to the company.

Buyers and their designers can pick from a selection of exquisite “fabrics, leathers, colors and amenities and features” to ensure the flight experience is a reflection of the exclusive experience you want for yourself and the guests ready to share in your superyacht’s journey.

Sikorsky’s executive chopper is also built around a noise- and vibration-resilient flight experience thanks to its Quiet Zone transmission technology. This makes for a smoother ride when traversing difficult, marine weather.

Fitting upwards to eight passengers in the cabin configuration that works best for its owner, the S-7D has a maximum cruising speed of about 178 miles per hour. But what makes this chopper standout the most is its military roots. According to Sikorsky, the helicopter’s main rotor hub is drawn from the rotor hub of the UH-60 Black Hawk, a chopper that has served extensively in the United States’ military.

In designing this latest version of its VIP helicopter, Sikorsky touts its extensive record deploying helicopters on military and high performance commercial missions like support on oil rigs. With superyachts deploying in all types of climates and weather conditions, including arctic seas , the Sikorsky is surely a top contender for any owner or superyacht chartering company.

The post Flying Luxury: Four Helicopters Ready to Serve Your Superyacht appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Smart technology and appliances are revolutionizing domestic life.

At this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), Samsung garnered plenty of attention with its Bespoke refrigerator, a next-generation smart appliance with a 32-inch display that offers built-in compatibility with highly popular apps and technology such as TikTok, Google Photos, and Amazon’s Alexa.

The annual consumer technology event held back in January hosted Samsung and their Bespoke Home line of products. The South Korean-based company, known for everything from top-of-the-line televisions and smartphones to speakers and home appliances, aims to meet a growing demand from consumers for smart technologies inside the home.

Samsung’s messaging surrounding their Bespoke smart appliances puts a strong emphasis on self-expression. Instead of refrigerators playing host to a messy collage of physical pictures, its Bespoke 4-Door with Family Hub can run a slideshow of pictures on its 32-inch screen, thanks to the integration of Google Photos within Samsung’s technology. And like most smart devices today, it comes ready to connect to a local Wi-Fi network.

The next-generation refrigerator is also capable of streaming short-form videos.

Imagine yourself preparing a new recipe with the help of TikTok—your favorite foodie influencers walking you through the necessary steps to concoct some cinnamon buns. Or, if you’re busy preparing a meal and notice some missing ingredients, then simply summon Alexa. Amazon’s virtual AI assistant can be activated through the refrigerator, where she’s there to add any missing items to your grocery list.

Samsung’s Bespoke technology also allows for customization in the physical realm as well as the digital. Potential owners can choose a design with three or four French doors. Bespoke refrigerator panels come in steel and glass finishes in a choice of colors such as Navy Glass and Tuscan Steel.

It’s in the beverage category that Bespoke also stands out. With a built-in water pitcher auto filler and 9.9 lbs. of ice storage—of both bite-sized ice cubes and your standard ice cubes—no one in your household will ever be thirsty.

The Bespoke smart refrigerator also features smart technology internally. Through its FlexZone technology, Bespoke owners can control the temperature of the sliding drawer with settings for beverages, meat and other perishable items depending on how they use the storage space.

“We are continuing to build on the success of our Bespoke lineup with the introduction of new Bespoke refrigerators and built-in appliances that give consumers even more ways to express themselves in their kitchens,” said Junhwa Lee, EVP and head of the customer experience team of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics.

“Our goal is to maximize the freedom customers have to pursue personalization and productivity in their kitchens,” according to the Samsung representative.

A full list of customizable options and variations of Samsung’s smart technology can be found here with Bespoke refrigerators starting at approximately $4,000.

Also competing to meet the growing demand for smart appliances, specifically smart refrigerators, are LG, Miele and General Electric.

The post Samsung Bespoke Smart Refrigerators Bring Apps and Tech to the Kitchen appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft took a huge leap forward after the firm AutoFlight set a new world record for the longest recorded eVTOL flight in February. The air taxi prototype ‘Prosperity I’ traveled 155 miles on a single battery charge, claiming the world record for longest recorded flight for an Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The test flight of the Prosperity I eVTOL, an ‘air taxi’, or ‘flying taxi’ prototype, achieved a distance of 155 miles (250 kilometers) on a single charge of the aircraft’s lithium-ion batteries, according to AutoFlight.

The Prosperity I represents a push within the aviation industry to replace standard helicopters, or VTOs (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, with the eco-friendly and highly efficient eVTOL aircraft. These aircraft, capable of horizontal flight in addition to vertical takeoff and landing, are set to revolutionize the way we commute, rideshare and travel regionally.

“Prosperity I was designed for short transfers between parts of a city, airport commutes, connecting two nearby cities or enabling trips to the countryside while avoiding traffic on the ground,” explains AutoFlight. Car rides that take hours could potentially be a matter of minutes “without compromising safety.”

Some eVTOLs are designed to carry upwards of six passengers including the pilot. These electric air taxis are said to be quieter than standard helicopters and omit significantly less emissions than helicopters.

According to AutoFlight, the Prosperity I has a cruising speed of 130 miles per hour and a max payload of 900 pounds. The biggest challenge to designing these aircraft is the transition phase from vertical to horizontal flight. AutoFlight claims to have “mastered the challenging ‘transition phase’ from vertical to horizontal flight and have done so hundreds of times, clocking thousands of flight miles on multiple iterations of their aircraft.”

February’s record-setting flight comes after AutoFlight achieved a successful transition test flight last year. AutoFlight’s test in February beat the record held by rival firm Joby Aviation whose prototype flew 154.6 miles (249 kilometers) on a single charge back in 2021.

“This flight is both a great celebratory milestone, and a testament to the team’s incredible effort and progress in testing and incrementally pushing the aircraft’s performance envelope,” AutoFlight’s President Omer Bar-Yohay said. “It’s a remarkable achievement that shows our aircraft’s capability.”

AutoFlight and other companies such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and Lilium are pushing forward to achieve safety certification with regulatory aviation agencies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“We are excited to continue working towards our next goals all the way to EASA certification in 2025,” said Bar-Yohay.

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The unknown purchaser is the newest owner of the Monarch’s beloved dominoes set that also features a secret musical compartment.

It’s common to think of dominoes as a game played in a park or elementary classroom with plastic pieces. But thanks to the latest owner of Queen Victoria’s pearl encrusted domino set, the centuries old game has become a unique representation of luxury and investment collecting after the late British monarch’s dominoes set was sold for roughly $365,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.

The pearl-set box that houses 28 pieces or domino ‘counters’ features ornate craftsmanship of gold and enamel. Fashioned in Switzerland by renowned watchmakers Bautte & Moynier, Geneva, 1804-1808, the set’s pieces are contained in a gem coated box that features “an oval vignette” of “Cupid sailing on his quiver before a mountainscape,” notes Sotheby’s.

Cupid of course is the Roman god of love.

The box’s romantic flare, with Cupid flanked by an outline of gold and pearls, was perfect for Queen Victoria. Dominoes was said to be a preferred leisurely escape for the sovereign of the powerful British Empire and her husband and gaming companion Prince Albert.

Throughout her life Queen Victoria would keep daily journals with her passion for dominoes making frequent appearances in her entries. And in an age where electricity had not revolutionized society and its leisurely escapes, Queen Victoria’s dominoes inspired a sense of wonder not unlike the latest technology today.

The pearl-set gold and enamel musical domino set is an excellent example of highly coveted mechanical trinkets enjoyed by royalty in the Victorian era: The right side of the box features a hinged key compartment “containing a matching oval pearl-set gold and enamel key” with a sliding lid housing a concealed musical compartment in addition to the set’s 28 counters,” explains Sotheby’s.

Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837 at the age of 18 and reigned for nearly 64 years. Her Majesty Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom in all likelihood gifted this remarkable trinket to her son Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany.

The box, explains Sotheby’s, was passed down to her royal descendants until being obtained by Christie’s where it remained a much sought after artifact of one of history’s most captivating monarchs.

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