PREVIEW

A revolutionary new aircraft that could change how we travel forever is set to take flight this year – and it doesn’t need a runway, a helipad, or even a garage.

Sigma is a sleek, futuristic eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft from aerospace startup AltoVolo that’s designed to launch directly from your driveway, rooftop – or even a yacht. With no need for airports or vertiports, this is truly the personal aircraft of the future.

Designed for point-to-point travel, the Sigma eliminates the hassle of public infrastructure. Step inside, push a button, and within moments you could be hovering over the neighbourhood, ready to cruise above the traffic. That’s thanks to its patent-pending tilting jet propulsion system, which combines electric battery power for takeoff and landing with a liquid fuel engine for longer distances.

Wrapped in a sleek 4.8-metre-wide airframe and weighing just 980kg, the Sigma has a cruising speed of 220 miles per hour and can hit a top speed of 290 mph. The hybrid power system allows it to fly up to 510 miles on a single trip, or 260 miles in electric-only mode. It can hover in place for 15 minutes and carry a payload of up to 270kg – enough for three passengers and luggage. Its maximum flight ceiling is 10,000 feet, and at takeoff, it emits just 65 to 70 decibels of noise at 100 metres – quieter than a lawnmower – making it suitable for use in residential areas.

In emergencies, the aircraft can maintain flight even if one of its jet units fails. And if things go truly wrong, there’s a ballistic parachute system that can deploy from as low as 50 feet, a rare and reassuring feature for an aircraft this size.

The Sigma’s flight systems have been reviewed and validated by Dr. Richard E. Brown of Sophrodyne Aerospace, while its simulations have been powered by engineering software from Ansys – the same high-performance tools used by Formula 1 racing teams. AltoVolo has already completed the first successful flight of a scale prototype and is now fast-tracking development of a full-scale demonstrator, with autonomous flight systems developed by Embention.

Whether you're dreaming of avoiding the morning commute, escaping to the countryside in minutes, or simply making jaws drop in the cul-de-sac, the Sigma promises to bring luxury aviation to your doorstep.

AltoVolo has successfully completed flight testing of its prototype and is now preparing to construct a full-scale demonstrator. The company plans to open a waitlist this July for early reservations of Sigma.