The World’s First Flying Motorcycle: Hoverbike

British designer, Chris Malloy, endeavoured into a mission to create the world's first flying motorcycle called the "Hoverbike". Originally from New Zealand, Malloy started working on this ambitious project as a hobby from his garage in suburban Sydney, Australia. People who watched him work were fascinated and interested in his project. When the project was commercialized, researchers, farmers, rescue, private and even the U.S Army G-3/5/7 took interest in the Hoverbike.

After years of research and development, Chris was able "to combine the simplicity of a motorcycle and the freedom of a helicopter" to make the Hoverbike a possibility.

Malloy faced financial problems. To continue with the development of the manned Hoverbike, he started the kick-starter sales of the one third scale Hoverbike compared to the full-sized drone. Priced at $1000, it is cheaper than a motorbike and astonishingly cost efficient than a helicopter.

The Hoverbike flies like a quadcopter or a drone powered by four tribune fans. It can be flown manned or unmanned and gives a new experience of flying. With the features of ruggedness and simplicity the Hoverbike flies low and is not very expensive to maintain. Designed for humans, it lands and takes off like a helicopter.

Chris and his team are in the final stages of constructing the manned Hoverbike. In a few months, it is supposed to start flight testing.

According to Malloy the Hoverbike was to be a bicopter but the technology is not available and it is not cost effective.

Malloy and his team have been testing the full sized prototype design. During the test they experienced the fun and the fantastic features the one third Hoverbike had, they came up with an idea to sell them to raise funds to continue the development of the manned, full-sized version.

"Apart from its stunning and original looks, our drone is safe and versatile, and when coupled with a 3DR Pixhawk flight controller it can fly by itself on a pre-determined flight path, return to home, loiter, follow and more!" Malloy writes on his website.

The Hoverbike has many uses. It could be used for search and rescue operations, emergency services and cattle mustering, because of its compact design and low cost people can afford to buy it. The Hoverbike can be folded to one third of its size and kept in small spaces. It has the capability of carrying cargo weighing 120 kilograms. The lightness of the Hoverbike allows for its transportation by air, land and sea when it is needed in any situation.

According to Malloy the Hoverbike is in its final stages of construction, after which it will be submitted to the aviation certification department. If the Hoverbike passes certification, it will go into manufacturing and will share skyspace alongside helicopters and drones.

This would open a whole new experience of commuting from one place to another.