First US test flights for Star Wars-esque Volonaut Airbike have been completed in California and it's set to go into production

A flying motorcycle called the Volonaut Airbike that looks like it belongs in a galaxy far, far away has taken another step toward becoming a reality.

The Volonaut Airbike has completed its first series of test flights in the United States, with California providing the backdrop for its latest milestone.

The futuristic machine ditches traditional wheels and exposed propellers in favor of compact jet propulsion.

Now, its creator is working to get the unusual machine ready for production.

Volonaut Airbike looks like something straight out of Star Wars

If you’ve ever watched the Star Wars movies and wondered what it would be like to ride one of those futuristic speeder bikes, Volonaut might have the answer.

Created by Polish inventor Tomasz Patan, who is also behind the Jetson ONE flying vehicle, the Airbike is a single-seat flying motorcycle designed to let its rider take to the skies.

Rather than relying on traditional propellers, the machine uses compact, redundant jet turbines to lift itself off the ground.

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Its futuristic carbon-fiber construction also helps keep its weight incredibly low, with Volonaut listing an empty vehicle mass of just 66 pounds (30kg).

The company has also equipped it with a flight computer and stabilization system designed to help keep the rider balanced while airborne.

It certainly looks like something that could have been pulled straight from a science-fiction movie, but the latest announcement suggests the project is moving beyond its early demonstrations.

Airbike completes first US test flights as production preparations begin

Tomasz Patan announced the milestone on LinkedIn, revealing that the Airbike had completed its first series of test flights in California.

He described the achievement as a major moment for Volonaut, adding that the coming months would involve improving the design and getting it ready for production.

That means the company is still working on the final version rather than announcing that customer deliveries are about to begin.

According to Volonaut’s published specifications, the Airbike has a top speed of 63mph, with a maximum flight time of 10 minutes.

The speed limit is particularly interesting because the machine is being designed around the FAA’s Part 103 ultralight vehicle rules in the United States.

These regulations include a maximum speed of 55 knots, or approximately 63mph, for powered ultralight vehicles, alongside weight and fuel-capacity requirements.

Volonaut says its Airbike is designed to comply with the ultralight category, which can allow qualifying vehicles to operate without a conventional pilot’s license in the US.

However, that doesn’t mean owners can simply take off wherever they like, as ultralight aircraft are subject to restrictions on where and when they can fly.

The futuristic flying motorcycle comes with a serious price tag

As exciting as the prospect of owning a real-life speeder bike might sound, getting your hands on one won’t be cheap.

The company has listed the Airbike for preorder at $880,000, putting it firmly in luxury-toy territory.

The company has also previously said it intends to produce the machine in limited numbers, although it has not announced a confirmed customer delivery date.

For now, the focus appears to be on refining the design following its first US test flights.

With a jet-powered flying motorcycle, a carbon-fiber body and styling that looks like it was borrowed from Star Wars, Volonaut certainly has an attention-grabbing concept on its hands.

Whether it can turn that concept into a production-ready machine that customers can actually take home is the next big challenge.

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