NASA's Puffin: Your Personal Aircraft?

Engineers from the NASA Langley Research Center unveiled plans to build a personal flying machine that would run on a set of electric motors. This personal flying machine aptly named Puffin is still in the early stages of development. It is designed with electric propulsion using electric motors which offer a wider range of possibilities than turbines and traditional engines. The aircraft lands and takes off like a helicopter with a tail section that splits open to reveal the landing gear. Once in the air it leans forward and flies like an airplane at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. The aircraft is propelled by electric motors, very much like an electric fan. Electric motors are quieter, cleaner and lighter than traditional engines. The vehicle is environmentally friendly because it essentially has no emissions. The whole aircraft weighs just 400 lbs.