A New Era in Personal Flight
Imagine gripping the sleek handlebars of a futuristic carbon-fiber machine, then suddenly lifting into the sky with nothing but open air beneath your feet. This is not a vision reserved for science fiction—it’s the bold reality of the Volonaut Airbike, unveiled in May 2025 by Polish inventor Tomasz Patan. With roots deeply inspired by sci-fi, especially the iconic Star Wars speeder bike, Patan’s creation merges childhood fantasy with revolutionary personal air mobility.
The Star Wars Speeder for Today
The Volonaut Airbike captures imaginations with its unique, minimalist design:
- Propeller-Free, Open-Air Experience: No spinning rotors or enclosed cockpit—just a slender, jet-powered frame weighing just 66 pounds (30kg), seven times lighter than a typical motorcycle.
- Advanced Construction: Made with cutting-edge carbon fiber and 3D-printed components, achieving remarkable strength while maximizing agility.
- Performance: Powered by a proprietary jet propulsion system—details of which are closely guarded—the Airbike reaches speeds up to 124mph (200km/h). For production models, speed is capped at 63mph (102km/h) to comply with ultralight regulations and eliminate the need for a pilot’s license.
- Flight Experience: Featuring a proprietary flight computer and triple-redundant stabilization, the Airbike responds seamlessly to the rider’s body movements, enabling hands-free hovering and automatic takeoff/landing. Riders lean forward on the machine with a 360-degree view, banking and maneuvering like an airborne motorcycle.
- Range & Refueling: Maximum flight time is 10 minutes per tank, with fuel options ranging from Jet-A and kerosene to diesel and biodiesel. Refueling takes under a minute, but the short duration positions flights as breathtaking, short hops rather than practical travel.
- Distinctive Details: Sci-fi-inspired tail lights flash on deceleration, and sculpted landing stands ensure stable touchdowns.
From Stealth to Global Spotlight
The Airbike’s development was conducted in “stealth mode” for several years, with its surprise unveiling occurring on May 1, 2025—just in time for the global celebration of Star Wars Day.
A cinematic promotional video showcased a rider in a Stormtrooper-style helmet, zipping through forest and valley landscapes. The viral sensation led to debates online about video authenticity until Tomasz Patan addressed skeptics. As Patan told Robb Report, debunking speculation about the famous flight video:
“The video is as real as it gets, no trickery there, not a bit of AI.”
(Quote given to Robb Report)
Raw, unedited flight footage surfaced in July 2025, complete with the roar of jet turbines, erasing most doubts.
The Jetson ONE Connection
Tomasz Patan is also the creator of the Jetson ONE, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. While the Jetson ONE weighs more, uses visible propellers, and offers 20 minutes of electrically powered flight at lower speeds, the Airbike’s jet propulsion and stripped-back design make it lighter, nimbler, and ideal for tight urban spaces and adventure rides. Jetson ONE, priced at $128,000, has already moved beyond prototypes and into real-world operation in places like Italy.
The Crowded Race to the Sky
Volonaut is just one player in a vibrant startup landscape, each pursuing visions of personal flight:
| Startup | Country | Vehicle | Propulsion | Max Speed | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volonaut | Poland | Airbike | Jet turbines | 200km/h (124mph) | $880,000 | Limited run, 2025 debut |
| Jetson | Sweden | Jetson ONE | 8 electric rotors | 102km/h (63mph) | $128,000 | Production, flights in Italy |
| Pivotal | USA | Helix | Multiple electric rotors | ~100km/h (62mph) | ~$190,000 | Launched, scaling up |
| AltoVolo | USA | City VTOL Prototype | Hybrid electric/jet | TBA | TBA | Early testing, urban focus |
| Zapata | France | Flyboard Air | Jet turbines | 150km/h (93mph) | TBA | Cult, regulatory issues |
| XTurismo | Japan | XTurismo Hoverbike | Propeller-driven | 100km/h+ | $777,000 | Prototype, regulatory issues |
All these companies face critical hurdles:
- Regulation: Global agencies like the FAA and EASA are still codifying rules, especially around safety and urban airspace.
- Noise & Sustainability: Jet propulsion creates urban noise challenges, while electric alternatives such as Jetson ONE or Pivotal’s Helix offer quieter operations but shorter range.
- Cost & Accessibility: With price tags from $128,000 to nearly $900,000, personal air mobility is currently reserved for wealthy early adopters.
The Road—or Sky—ahead
For all its sci-fi flash, the Volonaut Airbike is more than a luxury gadget. Its compact size and VTOL capabilities make it valuable for rapid gridlock-busting, disaster relief, or exploration in places roads can’t reach. Its very existence proves that the future of personal flight is closer than ever, but leaves open pressing questions:
- Can it meet urban noise rules?
- Will production ever bring costs down for the masses?
- How will regulators keep both thrill-seekers and bystanders safe?
Tomasz Patan’s decision to protect his technology through trade secrets rather than patents reflects the fierce competition in the field. As Volonaut opens reservations on August 1, 2025, the Airbike cements itself as both a symbol of human ambition and the start line for a new way of travel.
Conclusion
The Volonaut Airbike stands out as a bold, jet-powered leap into a future where the only limit is the sky. Whether it becomes a tool for daily commuting or remains a dream for the daring and the wealthy is up to technology, regulation, and imagination—three forces hurtling toward a new horizon.
