Training Underway For Two Crews

California-based startup company Hoversurf has delivered an S3 Hoverbike to the Dubai Police department, and two crews are being trained to fly the device.

The Drive reports that the general director of Dubai Police’s artificial intelligence department, Brigadier Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi says that additional crews are being identified to be Hoverbike cops. Hoverbike COO, Joseph Segura-Conn said that helpful skills for such of operators are the ability to fly a drone and ride a motorcycle.

Alrazooqi said that the electric VTOL aircraft will initially be used as to get first responders to areas that are difficult to access using more traditional transportation methods. He said that the Dubai Police Force hopes to have a fleet of S3s available for use by 2020.

Segura-Conn said that officials in Dubai will let them know in the next month or two whether they want to expand the program and order additional aircraft. "If they would like 30 or 40, we'll make it happen for them," he said.

The Hoverbike S3 has been approved by the FAA for operation as an ultralight aircraft, meaning no pilot certificate is required to fly one. But the cost may be prohibitive at $150,000. And Segura-Conn said that there will be a screening process for potential pilots to be sure they can safely operate the aircraft. What that screening will entail is not clear at this time.

The company is currently shopping the world for a suitable location for a manufacturing hub, and Dubai is in the running. He added that a two-seat version of the Hoverbike is in development, and may be unveiled in "four or five months" with production models available to purchase in 2020.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report