Meet Tomasz Patan, a Polish inventor who’s been chasing the thrill of flight for years. His new design, the Volonaut Airbike, makes that dream a reality: a single seater that hovers and zooms through the air, all powered by propulsion jets. A new video shows a Scout Trooper carving through dense forests that could be Endor’s vegetation, dodging low branches and disappearing into a green haze, just like in Return of the Jedi.
Patan used his experience with battery powered flyers to push the limits here. Instead of spinning propellers or big wings, the Airbike generates lift and speed with tiny jet engines – four micro-turbines hidden inside the chassis. These engines fire downwards for vertical takeoff and then tilt to propel forward motion, eliminating the drag of exposed blades. Riders sit in a basic motorcycle-like seat, with handlebars that feed into a flight computer designed to do all the heavy lifting for balance. One hand twists for thrust and the other steers, with joysticks on the grips controlling pitch and yaw. Sensors constantly monitor the horizon and adjust output to keep the bike level even in gusts.
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The frame is made of carbon fiber, braided tight and light with computer aided design and 3D printed joints. At 66 pounds empty, the Airbike is one third the weight of a dirt bike, so one person can carry it to a launch point without breaking a sweat. Add a 209 pound pilot and the total is under the ultralight regulations in the US, so no pilot’s license is required in recreational zones. Fuel is normal avgas piped into a tiny tank for 20-30 minute flights on a full tank, long enough to loop a valley or explore a ridge. The prototype has a top speed of 124 mph but the production model will be limited to 63 mph for certification.
Basic training is 2 days and is taught by Volonaut instructors. It covers everything from pre-flight checks to emergency drops and is held in open areas away from crowds. Riders wear full harnesses and helmets with head up displays that show real time altitude, fuel and drift data. Jet power is quieter than rotors, 80 decibels at hover and the frame flexes to absorb impacts during hard landings. Redundant safety layers: if one engine fails the others slow down and maintain altitude, allowing for a controlled descent.
Preorders started in August 2025 for batches limited to dozens per year, with deliveries slated for mid 2026. Each one is priced at $880,000 so it’s more for collectors and explorers who chase horizons over highways. To ensure top quality the Airbikes are assembled in Polish factories with composites from aerospace suppliers.
