Which flying objects may fill our airspace soon

While drones have not yet ceased to amaze us, airspace is gearing up for a host of new technologies; humans with wings, flying cars and the return of the zeppelin are all likely to find a way to the sky, very soon.

On the occasion of Innovation Week, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) exhibits some of the latest technological advances in the transportation sector at the Innovation Exhibition at Noor Bank Metro station.

These are the flying objects that may fill our airspace soon.

The flying person

Imagine this: you want to hurry to office but the roads are congested, so you take your personal flying machine and fly to work.

It is called jetpack, and has been ready for take off since 1940, but held back due to several practical concerns.

However, an inventor in New Zealand is determined to introduce The Martin Jetpack -named after himself- to the market as the world's first practical jetpack available for search and rescue, military, recreational and commercial purposes.

Manned or unmanned The Martin Jetpack is able to fly for 30 minutes and can reach up to 100kmph.

No license is required. The flying person can navigate his way around using the joysticks, and will have to "pitch, yaw and roll in order to have a safe air flight.

However, difficulty controlling the jetpack in the air has been one of the main safety concerns related to the launch of this mechanism.

The return of the zeppelin

Have you ever seen a zeppelin in the sky? If so, you are either very lucky, or from an older generation.

Zeppelins, or airships became widely used in the first half of the 20th century, but lost its popularity after a fatal crash.

Hundred years later, the airship has gained the interest of several manufacturers, all trying to bring back the zeppelin, upgraded with the latest technological advances.

"Loaded with solar panels and bound for distant destinations, the future of the airship is all about taking off the load of trucks, trains, freighters and even jets while expending little or nu fuel," explained the RTA.

"Inflatable craft can drop to precise locations or need only a very short runway, which makes them useful for urban factories, earthquake relief and many other tasks involving the moving of people, payloads and cargo."

The flying car

We have talked about flying car for years, yet they have only been seen on movie screens so far.

If it is up to the inventor, this will not stay that way and airspace will become an alternative road.

There are several models that are either under consideration, under study or in the design stage.

The most mature model is the Terrafugia Transition, a light sport, flying car that has been under development in the US since 2006.

Whether the flying car will get off the ground remains to be seen, as there are many competing models that are likely to be more interesting to the regular user.

As the RTA points out, the Terrafugia Transition is awkward-looking and requires a large area for take off or landing.

A more practical model is the Slowakian Aeroplane, designed to fit in with existing road and airspace infrastructure. "As a car it fits into any standard parking space, uses regular gasoline and can be used in road traffic just like any other car.

"As a plane it can use any airport in the world, but can also take off and land using any grass strip or paved surface just a few meters long."

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