NASA's One-Man Electric Aircraft (video inside)

Is it possible for a one-person electric plane to take off vertically and fly 300 mph? NASA says yes, and shows us how it's done with Puffin, a single-passenger aircraft that's 10 times quieter than the most hushed helicopters.

The design, accomplishing the same goal as a jetpack with a cockpit, could be the closest man has ever come to flying like a bird. Take a look at the video, where the craft gracefully lifts off, cruises with its pilot in a prone position similar to a hang glider, and then slowly backs into a soft landing.

Using today's technology, Puffin can cruise for 50 miles, but aerospace engineers at NASA say that range could triple by 2017.

Note: The video has no audio.

via nbc

Tags: Aircraft, Electric, NASA's, One-Man, Puffin

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Comment by Mark Huckabee on January 22, 2010 at 6:07am: I immediately thought of the military uses for this: it is 10 times quieter than a hushed helicopter, can take off and land in small spaces, and flies at 300 mph. Talk about an incredible way to insert your Special Ops troops!

Comment by Kevin on January 22, 2010 at 3:21am: Not as cool as the Japanese Jet Pack

Comment by Good Stuff on January 22, 2010 at 2:33am: == have read in many places that nasa was designing all aircraft with out a human payload

Comment by FrenchyDave on January 21, 2010 at 5:10pm: Reminds me of the swiss rocket man:
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