Sweden-based Savback Helicopters will handle sales and marketing of Mayman Aerospace's "Speeder" high-speed vertical takeoff and landing (HSVTOL) aircraft in northern Europe, the company announced on July 5.
Mayman Aerospace is a subsidiary of JetPack Aviation, a Los Angeles-based company that built the world's first portable jetpack. The company aims to begin FAA certification for its new Speeder air utility vehicle (AUV) by 2024.
The Speeder is a compact, eight-turbine HSVTOL aircraft that is being developed for various applications, including military operations, forestry, emergency response, and personal transportation. About the size of a motorcycle, the Speeder can be flown by a pilot or autonomously in environments and weather conditions not suitable for other aircraft. It can reach speeds up to 500 mph (800 km/h), boasts a range of up to 300 nautical miles, and can carry payloads up to 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms).
"Its projected maneuverability, high speed, and heavy payload capabilities mean Speeder is going to be very attractive for customers looking to fulfill complex missions, far beyond the reach of conventional helicopters," said Savback's chief executive officer, Raja Savback. "The option to remotely pilot, or even autonomously pilot, further strengthens its complementary value to our existing portfolio of aviation products. We are looking forward to hosting a series of presentations for prospective customers," she added.
Reja Savbäck, CEO of Savback Helicopters, told FutureFlight that the current estimated cost of the Speeder will be $1.6 million per unit, while freight, training and services will come at additional costs that have not yet been determined. "As Mayman ramp up production, economies of scale will likely drive down the cost significantly," Savbäck said.
[This story was updated July 8 to add details about pricing for the Speeder vehicle.]
