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(Written by Mandi Keiragh at N by Norwegian magazine – issued in July 2017)

It better be. The Kitty Hawk Flyer doesn't need a pilot's licence, can reach up to 40kph and could be in the skies by the end of the year...

WHAT'S THE STORY?

The Flyer is an aircraft developed by California-based Kitty Hawk and backed by Google's Larry Page. It's a bit like a giant ride-on drone, powered by eight rotors, two on each side of the craft. The pilot sits atop two pontoons - like those on water-landing helicopters - and manoeuvres using a joystick. It can reach speeds of up to 40kph and there's a net over the propellers to protect the pilot in case of a tumble.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Kitty Hawk expects to start selling the Flyer by the end of 2017 - but there's no word yet on the final cost of your own personal flying machine. You can, however, put down US$100 to sign up as a Kitty Hawk member for a US$2,000 discount on the craft when it launches.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IT? 

While Kitty Hawk is keen to point out that the Flyer is more aircraft than car, the media nave promoted it as a "fliying car". In the US, it's rated by the FAA as an ultralight aircraft - meaning anyone can operate the Fiyer without a licence,

WHERE CAN YOU FLY IT? 

Forget about taking to the skies for the daily commute just yet - unless your commute involves a short trip across fresh water. In an effort to reassure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that unlicensed pilots won't start causing havoc, Kitty Hawk developed the Fiyer for short flights over water rather than over heavily populated areas.

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