8 June 2022
Remember Jetpack pilot David Mayman and his flights over water in his homebuilt jet suit? His new company, Mayman Aerospace, has unveiled a flight-ready prototype of its Speeder Air Utility Vehicle.
The P2 Speeder, which he calls ‘an aviation disrupting aircraft’, is a multi-use vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle powered by eight jet engines.
It’s the third full scale prototype and will start flight tests later this year, working towards FAA flight certification. Initial test flights will be remotely controlled, with piloted tests anticipated towards the end of Q4 2022.
Similar in size to a motorbike, the Speeder prototype marks the next steps towards the final aircraft which will lift 1,000 lb and fly 400 miles at over 500mph in unpiloted cargo mode.
“Once certified, Speeder aircraft will enable an operator to jump on, press start, and take off,” said a statement from Mayman.
“Everything from the glossy, aerodynamic carbon fiber body to the ergonomic pilot position is developed to provide Speeder operators with maximum flight efficiency and ultra-safe system redundancy.
“This includes a proprietary onboard computer system developed to immediately rebalance engine thrust in the unlikely event of an engine anomaly. This will form an essential part of the aircraft safety systems.”
Tim Draper, left, and Mayman Aerospace CEO David Mayman launch the Speeder
Mayman Aerospace says it is in advanced conversations with potential customers in national defence, critical cargo, wildland firefighting (coordinated swarmed support for air tankers) and disaster relief (delivery of medical supplies, water, generators, and medevac), with letters of intent from qualified non-retail customers being accepted.
Tim Draper, a primary investor in the project said, “The Speeder AUV is a total game changer. It is one of the most exciting, industry disrupting technologies we’ve seen.
“We believe Speeder is the future of VTOL flight and I’m personally looking forward to flying one myself.”
