Utilizes Technology Similar To V-22 Osprey

It's a very interesting idea, though perhaps not terribly practical ... and safety might be something of an issue. All that not withstanding, NASA unveiled a new concept in personal transportation at the American Helicopter Society convention in San Francisco Wednesday. The electric-powered single "place" aircraft with a 13-foot wingspan is designed to take off and land vertically, and cruise at 121 knots.

Puffin NASA Artists Concept

That's right, electric. Multiple media sources are reporting that the Puffin would use battery power to tun the V-22-style rotors. An electric powerplant means the engines won't be affected by air density, NASA says, so the Puffin could have a service ceiling in the neighborhood of FL300. Hit the "Boost Mode" and the top speed of the Puffin would rocket up to about 260 knots.

The Puffin would be mainly carbon fiber construction, so even with the lithium phosphate batteries it would tip the scales at only about 400 pounds. The projected range on a single charge is only about 50 miles, which is not a lot, but longer than most people's commutes. Of course, being electric, it would be a very quiet aircraft, which has the military very interested.

The Puffin was introduced strictly as a concept, and NASA gave no timeline as to when, or even if, it might fly. But sort of like the personal jet pack we thought we's all be flying right now, it could very well capture the imagination.

FMI: www.nasa.gov