The most amazing flying exploration vehicles for survival enthusiasts and crazy people

Have you ever wished you could jump into a tiny amphibious aircraft and quickly fly to an isolated island for breakfast? Of course you have, and now with the following amazing and slightly dangerous vehicles, you will have that option. These are some of the most amazing flying exploration vehicles you can possibly buy, though the prototype nature of some of these makes them only suitable for highly experienced operators /crazy people.

The powered glider boat

Is it a hang glider? Is it a boat? Is it something else? Who the hell knows, but it looks like fun. This tiny craft is so light that it can land on as little as 50 meters of water and has a range of just over 500km on a full 50-litre tank. The craft is so light that it can make use of hot-air chutes to gain altitude, but at 250kg it can’t sustain flight without its 50hp engine running. This craft isn’t classed as a plane and doesn’t require a pilot license, but depending on where you are in the world you will still need to obtain permission to fly it in certain areas.

Take Off – 60m on land, 80 on water
Landing – 50m on water, 90 on land
Max Speed – 115kph
Cruise Speed – 90kph
Empty Weight – 250kg
Useful Load – 200kg
Range – 500km max

What Does Useful Load Mean?

The Useful load of an aircraft is the maximum amount of weight it can fly with between its empty weight and maximum load. For example, if an empty craft weighs 200kg and has a maximum take-off weight of 400kg, then its useful load is 200kg. This will include everything that is not the aircraft itself, such as fuel, the pilot, and any passengers or cargo.

Aventura

This is one of the smallest aircraft in the world that is actually classed as a plane. It is made of ultra-light materials and has an impressive useful load for its size. This craft will require a pilot’s license and also permission to make water landings. The craft does come fitted with retractable landing gear for runways but is primarily designed for water landings.

Take Off – 75m on land, 80 on water
Landing – 70m on water, 90 on land
Max Speed – 145kph
Cruise Speed – 120kph
Empty Weight – 360kg
Useful Load – 300kg
Range – 400km max

A Jetpack

The most fun way to die in a giant fireball there is. Jetpacks used to be a thing of the future, and they still are because the ones available today are far from safe, practical, fuel-efficient, and all the other qualities you want in something that flies. The problem with this type of craft is the engine and fuel, which currently can’t be made light enough while providing enough power to be useful.

Take Off and Landing both verticle
Max Speed – 145kph
Cruise Speed – 102kph
Empty Weight – 113kg
Useful Load – 130kg
Range – 40km max

The Micro helicopter

Who wouldn’t want a helicopter that can fit in the back of their car? All you need is a really big car, a death wish, and about 20 liters of fuel and you’re off. The problem with this one is it lacks the carry capacity and range to make it useful. Unless you want to land on a small island in the middle of a lake to go fishing, then this one if probably better being left alone.

Take Off and Landing both verticle
Max Speed – 100kph
Cruise Speed – 70kph
Empty Weight – 110kg
Useful Load – 120kg
Range – 50km max

Powered Parachute

This is the lightest thing that flies you can buy. There is nothing more than the weight of the parachute/glider wing, the tiny engine, and the propellor. This craft is able to make use of hot-air uplifts and can sustain flight for hours in the right conditions. Due to its low weight and shape, it is effected heavily by strong winds and is one of the more dangerous craft to operate in anything other than perfect weather.

Take Off and Landing both under 20 meters
Max Speed – 60kph
Cruise Speed – 35kph
Empty Weight – 45kg
Useful Load – 110kg
Range – 70km max

Each year in the US there are dozens of deaths related to ultra-light and experimental aircraft. The figures vary greatly from country to country as places like the UK have very strict rules when it comes to anything that can fly, but if you do choose to go for an ariel adventure in something like one of these things, then please learn about the dangers before you take off.